jess hamilton

Freshflix began with a group of mates who wanted to show their work off to each other in a backyard. They then took that backyard to the world.

Freshflix Short Film Festival brought together local and international indie talent at unique locations around Sydney, Australia and beyond. From humble beginnings screening world class shorts in a mate's backyard on the clifftop overlooking Freshwater Beach, Jess Hamilton and Claudia Pickering took Freshflix to a seasonal highlight in the Sydney film, art and music scene. Featuring live music, local artists and laboriously stove-popped popcorn, Freshflix created unique pop-up cinemas in Sydney’s MCA, Giant Dwarf Theatre, breweries, courtyard cafes with banquet feasts, warehouses, the oldest theatre in San Francisco, LA’s Raleigh studios, NAS and even on the Sydney Harbour BYO boat style.

Always keen to mix it up and stay away from conventional film festival formats, Claudia & Jess also ran two iterations of the Freshflix Emerging Filmmaker Conference supported by Vivid Ideas and Create NSW, and a night of experimental electronic music & film called Ecstatic Cinematic with music curated by local artist Ross Henry. With a loyal community of filmmakers, film buffs and people who’d probably never step foot in a film festival, Freshflix showcased the brightest local and international talent on the silver screen.

By golly, a sensational time was had by all.

FRESHFLIX EVENTS

April 2016 - Freshwater - clifftop, Inaugural Event

July 2016 - Redfern - MFJ warehouse studio + Shiso Fine foodtruck, Winter 2016 Season

October 2016 - Redfern - MFJ warehouse studio + Shiso Fine foodtruck, Spring 2016 Season

October 2016 - Brookvale - 4Pines brewery, Spring 2016 Season

November 2016 - Wollongong - Sifters co-op, Best Of 2016, Yours & Owls Fringe Festival

February 2017 - Cammeray - Laneway Cafe, Summer 2017 Season + Banquet

Saturday 4th February 2017 - Brookvale - 4Pines brewery, Summer 2017 Season

June 2017 - Redfern - Giant Dwarf Theatre, Freshflix Emerging Filmmakers' Conference, Vivid Ideas

June 2017 - Redfern - Giant Dwarf Theatre, Ecstatic Cinematic, Vivid Ideas

June 2017 - Redfern - Giant Dwarf Theatre, Winter 2017 Season, Vivid Ideas

June 2017 - San Francisco - The Roxie Theatre, Best of Season

August 2017 - Redfern - Cake Wines Cellar Door, Best of Season

October 2017 - Hollywood - Raleigh Studios, Special Australians In Film Season

February - June 2018 - Sydney - Event Cinemas George Street, Freshflix shorts x In The House Cult Classics

May 2018 - Sydney - Museum of Contemporary Art, Freshflix Emerging Filmmakers' Conference, Vivid Ideas

May 2018 - Sydney - Museum of Contemporary Art, 2018 Film Festival Season, Vivid Ideas

May 2019 - Sydney - Museum of Contemporary Art, 2018 Film Festival Season, Vivid Ideas

Feb 2022 - Sydney Harbour - in collaboration with Mov’in Boat, 2021 season + Spookfest (horror shorts)

June 2022 - NAS NEO - new season of Spookfest (horror shorts)