New Makers’ films + Melbourne here we come!

Read our latest Newsletter with exciting updates:

  • Launch of the next Makers’ Film Festival – the 2023 edition at The Backlot on Thursday 4 May, 6:30pm. Book now. Very limited seats. $55pp includes drinks & light bites! Watch the Trailer.
  • Maker & Smith take the work of three WA jewellers to Melbourne Design Fair!

LINK TO NEWSLETTER

Winner Announced! Makers’ Film Festival 21.

CONGRATULATIONS to the Prize Winners of the Favourite Film of the 2021 Makers’ Film Festival.

We are delighted to announce the Favourite Film of the 2021 Makers Film Festival (MFF) …. Congratulations to lead artist Susie Vickery and film-maker Emma Vickery. Their film ‘Peregrinations of a Citizen Botanist’ was unanimously voted by audiences as the favourite film of the MFF21 program of 24 short films. There’s sadly no statuette or red carpet but there is a $1000 prize.

The film is about the making of Susie’s exhibition of the same name, the story behind it and the other makers she collaborated with. If you are in WA, you have the lucky opportunity to see the exhibition as it tours regional centres. See Art on the Move for dates and venues – currently at Carnarvon Library and Gallery.

The runners up were equally placed: ‘A Measure of Time’ about glassmaker Clare Belfrage directed by Randy Larcombe , ‘Confluence’ featuring ceramicist Warwick Palmateer, a film by Matthew Bettinaglio, and ‘A Brief History of the Earth’ about Josephine Jakobi, produced by Angela Truscott and Daniel Truscott of Fibre Arts Take Two. Other popular films were: ‘Winterwares’ about Sim Nabholz and ‘Death Silks’ about Em McGuire, both made by Rae Fallon (who won favourite film in 2019 about Neil Turner); ‘Transformation 10’ about Melissa Cameron, made by Michael Pisano; the animation ‘ The Housewarming’ by Emily Toke, and ‘Leaving LA’ – the animation by Tee Ken Ng and others for Tim Minchin’s song of the same name.

Congratulations to everyone.

We have been fortunate to host master classses and workshops with Susie Vickery, and many of you would have enjoyed her installation at Fremantle Arts Centre in the exhibition ‘Curiosity & Rituals of the Everyday‘ for IOTA21.

‘Peregrinations of a Citizen Botanist’ is a ‘making of’ film that looks at the historical research behind the exhibition (of the same name) which charts the adventures of a time travelling naturalist as he returns to Australia 227 years after first landing there. Jacques-Julien Houtou de Labillardiere was a French botanist who journeyed to 

Western Australia in the 18th century. Susie Vickery, theatrical costume maker and embroidery artist, ponders the idea of Labillardiere making an imaginary second visit, during which he gradually becomes one with the native plants around him. In the 10 minute film, we follow how his new journey is created and illustrated by a puppetwho moves through several costume changes and sets. We meet the people who collaborate with Susie to bring the exhibition together: milliner Susi Rigg, set builder Nathan Crotty, Aboriginal nature consultant Adellamay Ryder, and natural dye expert Holly Story. Lead Artist + Producer: Susie Vickery Director: Emma Vickery Cinematography: Laure Bernard Editor: Oliver Dear

Submissions are open for MFF23

We are looking for films with a strong creative narrative. And to bring together a collection that illustrates the breadth and wonder of craftspeople’s lives, skills, environments and materials from across cultures anywhere in the world.

All genres are encouraged, from documentaries, to story-led films to hand-made animation. We are keen to see a range of approaches in both craft and film-making. Maker & Smith encourages submissions from every corner of our community and which celebrate the diversity of life.

For further information, T&Cs etc see: https://www.makerandsmith.com.au/makers-film-festival-terms-conditions/ 

Deadline for submissions: 30 September 2022.
Entry Fees and T&Cs apply: $55 (inc GST) per submission.

Selection Panel + Prize Announced! Makers’ Film Festival.

We are delighted to announce the Selection Panel + a Prize for the 2021 Makers’ Film Festival:

Mary Ellen Cliff and Carola Akindele-Obe, the ‘dynamic duo’ who produce Maker&Smith including the new Makers’ Film Festival, will be joined by two fellas who bring a breadth of knowledge (and connections) in visual story-telling to the table – and we are so pleased to award one film with a Peoples’ Choice Award of $1000, after the screenings in Western Australia.

John Collee, Berlin Film Festival

Screenwriter, Novelist & Storyteller JOHN COLLEE
Prior to becoming a successful screen writer, John Collee worked as a doctor in remote locations including in Madagascar and the Solomon Islands.  He is a founding member of climate change group 360.org and of Hopscotch Features; and is known for feature films including Master & Commander, Happy Feet, Hotel Mumbai, Tanna and Creation.

Ron Bradfield JnrStoryteller, Maker & proud Bardi man RON BRADFIELD JNR
Ron Bradfield Jnr is a saltwater man from Bardi Country, north of Broome. He lives and breathes story-telling; indeed he is known for yarn-ing, and encouraging everyone to share their stories in his workshops and sessions with Yarns R Us.  Ron has also supported artists to develop their craft and stories across country in WA for over 15 years and is also a maker of things.

If your film explores making, skills and materials, the selection panel would like to see it.

The deadline for short film submissions is fast approaching on 30 November 2020. It’s encouraging to see entries coming in and we are really looking forward to more – especially as in recent COVID-19 times, people have been making use of film-making a lot more as part of their presentations for exhibitions, international forums, and fairs. So – please share the call-out widely with your networks (we want to make sure John and Ron have plenty to watch!).

What will the selection panel be looking for?

We are looking for films with a strong creative narrative. And to bring together a collection that illustrates the breadth and wonder of craftspeople’s lives, skills, environments and materials from across cultures in Australia, New Zealand and countries of the Indian Ocean Rim*.

All genres are encouraged, from documentaries, to story-led films to hand-made animation. We are keen to see a range of approaches in both craft and film-making. Maker & Smith encourages submissions from every corner of our community and which celebrate the diversity of life.

Quick Info Reminder
  • Films must have been made since 1 January 2017.
  • Short films only. They can be a few seconds long, and although we’d prefer no longer than 10 minutes, we will accept up to a maximum of 15 minutes including credits.
  • Easy to submit. Just fill out the online form and send us a link.
  • Deadline for submissions: 30 November 2020.
  • Entry Fees and T&Cs apply: $55 (inc GST) per submission.

The Makers’ Film Festival is due to launch in May 2021 in alignment with the program launch for the first Indian Ocean Craft Triennial (aka IOTA21). The intention is that the compilation of films will then travel around Australia, as Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival has done since 2018, and then traverse the waves for screenings, particularly in countries where films originated.

Read our previous post about the MFF and how its brand came together.

Makers Film Festival information and easy submission form.

*AUSTRALIA, BANGLADESH, COMOROS, INDIA, INDONESIA, IRAN, KENYA, MADAGASCAR, MALAYSIA, MAURITIUS, MOZAMBIQUE, OMAN, SEYCHELLES, SINGAPORE, SOMALIA, SOUTH AFRICA, SRI LANKA, TANZANIA, THAILAND, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, YEMEN.

Featured image: Luthier in Workshop. Photo by Endri Yana from Pixabay

The Craft of Carnival.

Elaborate Costumes Send a Message of Breaking Free from Slavery and Racism with Optimism and Hope.

It all began in the summer of 1958 in West London when racial tensions grew in the Afro-Caribbean community. Riots went on for three days with over 100 people getting arrested over the bank holiday weekend.

In 1959, the human rights activist, Claudia Jones who was also a Trinidadian journalist, decided to organise an indoor Caribbean carnival to bring all the communities together. That’s when the ‘concept’ of the Notting Hill Carnival came about.

Fifty-four years later, it is the second largest street festival in the world attracting up to 2 million visitors from all over the globe and contributing around £93 million to the UK’s economy, annually (but not this year, as the Carnival is cancelled in 2020).

Every year, around 15,000 costumes are handmade for the carnival parade. Taking over a million hours to create, the main message behind these elaborate costumes is breaking free from slavery and racism, while the music represents the life left behind by the Caribbean community after the emancipation of the freed African slaves from the Caribbean.

This short film The Craft of Carnival, commissioned by the Crafts Council (UK), goes behind the scenes with Mahogany Carnival to discover the craft that helps make it a success each year.

(Photo: @mahoganycarnival ; Text derived from and courtesy of thelondonnottinghillcarnival.com )

The Craft of the Carnival was featured in the 2017 edition of Reel to Real: The Craft Film Festival.

Submit your short film for the Makers’ Film Festival 2021 – and tell your community’s story. Calling now for submissions from all countries of the Indian Ocean, Australia and New Zealand.

Reading + Listening + Learning + Watching

Some craft and inspiration links

During your ‘COVID-19 Residency’, you might enjoy some of these articles, podcasts, videos and online courses in the list of links below.  It’s an unashamedly random collection.  Some fun, some inspiring, not exactly ‘pd’* and certainly not paid endorsements! Scroll down for podcasts, online tutorials, and access to the world’s archives…
(*A ‘Useful Craft Resources’ page is coming soon.)

We’ll keep adding to this, so please share your links too, by commenting below or emailing us.

Reading

  • Coronavirus offers “a blank page for a new beginning” : The coronavirus epidemic will lead to “a global recession of a magnitude that has not been experienced before” but will eventually allow humanity to reset its values, according to trend forecaster Li Edelkoort. See also podcast of interview with Li below.
  • What is Crafts Role in a Fast Changing World: Crafts Council UK: a discussion about the issues fuelling craftspeople today, from gender politics to migration.
  • American Craft Inquiry, Volume 2, Issue 2  : Read the online magazine. Full of fantastic visuals and in-depth writing.
  • Garland Magazine: thoughtful articles about beautiful objects made today across the Indo-Pacific; produced by the World Crafts Council – Australia. Explore some of the 877 stories on the platform!
  • The Australian Ceramics Association offers a digital archive of the first 56 years of its Journal publication to everyone, FREE! Browse over 150 issues full of articles, technical information on glazes and kilns, in-depth profiles and critical opinions on Australian ceramics.

Listening

Time Sensitive features candid, revealing portraits of curious and courageous people in business, the arts, and beyond who have a distinct perspective on time. Trend Forecaster Li Edelkoort on Why Doing Less Is More

Soul Traders podcast: two West Australian chicks’ new podcast about working as a creative freelancer. It’s just started but we know it will be gold. Photographer Bo Wong & writer Amy Snoekstra. (This link is to Spotify but also available on other pod platforms.)

Web TV

Craft America – various episodes:  Artists explore issues of gender, race, culture and place, offering true expressions of their experience in this world on film.

Hermes Documentaries including ‘Luxury is that which can be repaired’, ‘The Story of an exceptional saddle-maker’ and ‘Manufacto: Shaping One’s Life by Making Objects’.

Learning Online

  • Around 30 free or near free short uni courses from around the world available online in art and design. Including ‘Innovation through Design:Think, Make, Break, Repeat’ from Sydney and ‘The Power of Podcasting for Storytelling’ from Wollongong.
  • Craft Club: on the Crafts Council website, look for the Downloads on the right hand side of this page for lots of at home craft projects – suitable for beginners and experts, such as knitted jewellery and a cardboard automata.
  • Woolmark Learning Centre: I nearly wept when I saw the opportunity to learn more about the beautiful material of wool (it’s an ancestry thing) – courses for industry and tertiary level, as well as the plain interested.
  • How to Weave a Basket with Tjanpi Desert Weavers, who also have a learn to weave kick-starter pack. Tjanpi Desert Weavers is a social enterprise of the NPY Women’s Council, working with over 400 Anangu/Yarnangu women artists from 26 remote communities in the remote Central and Western desert regions, who earn an income from contemporary fibre art. ‘Tjanpi’ means grass in Pitjantjatjara language.
  • Stop Motion School: Free online course to keep you and the kids busy. The instructor, Trisha Zemp (@trishazemp) says she “will help you create your very own stop motion videos. Whether you are 7 or 107, this class is sure to be a blast!” [untested]
  • Learn how to maximise your craft business via Pinterest: Learn about how Pinterest could help your business with local WA entrepreneur and strategist Kate Wilkinson.

Free patterns for the stitch and yarn community

  • Rose Megirian of Many Peaks Assembly has provided links to FREE sewing patterns and created some instructional videos on sewing techniques, such as ‘Sewing French Seams’. Rose is a locally based Fremantle designer maker and entrepreneur.
  • Rowan Yarns produces some of the most beautiful yarn shades and patterns for crochet and knitting, as well as patterns in collaborations with UK top designers; based in Huddersfield, Yorkshire. Many of the patterns suitable for beginner to intermediate to expert are free online, as well as crochet and knitting tutorials in their tips and tricks. Their magazine is also full of knitting inspo, available via their new app.
  • The Australian Yarn Company – free knitting patterns from the stable of Cleckheaton, Panda, Patons and Shepherd.
  • Yarnspirations – free knit, crochet and quilt patterns and video library of tutorials. Based in Georgia, USA.

Fun stuff 

Browsing Binges

With Google Arts & Culture, you can tour over 500 art institutions worldwide, including the V&A, the world’s leading museum of art and design in London, where you can browse exhibits and over 5000 objects. Also other art museums such as the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, and many others.

The Internet Archive has literally billions of resources. There is so much in this Archive, that we may lose you for years. It is a not-for-profit digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artefacts in digital form. It provides free access to researchers, historians, scholars, the print disabled, and the general public. Their mission is to provide Universal Access to All Knowledge. Explore The Smithsonian and Guggenheim catalogues, look out for ‘how-to‘ books and videos about crafts, vintage films, and so much more.

Regional screenings of Real to Reel

Hi all,

Real to Reel – coming to a screen near you soon. See our events page for upcoming dates in March 2020 for screenings in regional centres in South Australia, Western Australia and New South Wales.

Calling for submissions – the Makers’ Film Festival

Yes, it’s true, we are calling for short films about craft, makers, making and materials for the inaugural Makers’ Film Festival.

**Due to COVID-19, we have deferred the inaugural Makers’ Film Festival to 2021 and will widen the call-out to Australasia, New Zealand and countries of the Indian Ocean Rim.**

Following the, increasingly popular, Australian tour of Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival (produced by the UK Crafts Council and Crafts magazine), Maker & Smith decided to compile an Australian version.

This highly unique short film festival has inherent appeal, not just for people involved in craft, but for anyone who enjoys a story well told in less than 15 minutes on film! Even though the topics revolve around the core theme of craft, the range of approaches could not be more diverse – from stop animation fantasies only a few seconds long to in-depth documentary film-making.

Our aim is to create a set of films that derive from all corners of our society – as a way to highlight and share the breadth of craft in the region. We deliberately chose to do this now as the Crafts Council is taking a production gap with the international selection of films for Real to Reel in 2020.

We thank the Crafts Council for the inspiration – and – we can’t wait to see more craft on the big screen.

Quick Info
  • Films must have been made since 1 January 2017.
  • Short films only. They can be a few seconds long, and although we’d prefer no longer than 10 minutes, we will accept up to a maximum of 15 minutes including credits.
  • Easy to submit. Just fill out the online form and send us a link.
  • Deadline for submissions: 1 April 2020. (update: 30 November 2020)
  • Entry Fees and T&Cs apply: $55 (inc GST) per submission.
  • The selected films will screen together in the first Makers’ Film Festival, which will tour Australia and internationally.
What are the selection panel looking for?

We are looking for films with a strong creative narrative. And to bring together a collection that illustrates the breadth and wonder of craftspeople’s lives, skills, environments and materials from across Australia. (update: also New Zealand countries of the Indian Ocean Rim).

All genres are encouraged, from documentaries, to story-led films to hand-made animation. We are keen to see a range of approaches in both craft and film-making. Maker & Smith encourages submissions from every corner of our community and which celebrate the diversity of life.

If your film explores making, skills and materials, the selection panel would like to see it.

Submit your film for possible selection and be a part of the Makers’ Film Festival. For more info read the Terms & Conditions, which also include some specs advice.

Read about the Selection Panel.

Creating the brand for the Makers’ Film Festival

Don’t you love the fabulous branding that IZZI has created for the Makers’ Film Festival? We are so pleased with it, as it complements our Maker & Smith brand identity so well.

Izzi told us she used the elements of the Maker & Smith identity but made some modifications, such as introducing black to connote a dark cinema, arranging the pattern in a long band to infer a film reel and using a thinner elegant typeface.
We hope you like it too?

Real to Reel adds more dates to its Australian tour

‘Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival’ is touring Australia with more dates being announced…

The next screening will be on Friday 1 November 2019 in Cowra (NSW), hosted by Cowra Regional Art Gallery and showing at Cowra Civic Centre Theatrette. Here’s the ticketing link and see our Tour Listing for more details.

It’s really empowering to see, in our second year hosting this short film festival about craft, that interest is growing – we’ve had several enquiries from regional centres and craftspeople about hosting a screening of the 33 films. As a result we are looking forward to announcing more dates soon – likely in Northern Territory, South Australia, New South Wales and regional WA.

If you are interested in hosting a screening – let us know ASAP, as time will run out in March 2020 for this international selection.

The Makers’ Short Film Festival 2020 – an Australian selection of films about craft and makers.

We’ve said it out loud, so we are now charged with compiling an Australian film festival about craft in 2020. The UK Crafts Council is taking a break, so we’ve hopped into the gap and decided to give a platform to some of the amazing films we know are out there about makers in Oz. We will announce the call-out for submissions soon – so subscribe to our newsletter for first info.

Until then – and as it’s suddenly winter again out there – keep making!

It’s a Wrap! 2019 Winter Program – a fortnight of makers’ skills

Read our most recent newsletter about what happened over the last fortnight (1-14 August 2019). Which films were voted favourite film at Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival? What did people learn in the Hand & Lock embroidery classes? And what’s next for Maker & Smith? More opportunities for films, conversations and workshops?

We also want to thank all our partners and supporters who have made it possible to present this year, and who also added extra magic.

Click here: https://mailchi.mp/d5d5fe5c8dd2/maker-and-smith-winter-program-wrap-up 

And sign up for more newsletters here to learn about our programs and first dibs on tickets!

Enjoy!

Real to Reel returns to Perth and tours to Sydney and Melbourne

Craft on Screen! The international film festival with a difference is back again in Perth.  Real to Reel celebrates the diversity of craft, materials and makers in 33 short films shown across two screenings.

We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Crafts Council UK to again host ‘Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival’ in Australia.

The festival is a unique opportunity to witness craft in action and the narratives, passion and skill inherent in the creation of works. It provides a global perspective and again, the programme unites some unusual and perhaps unexpected tales of making – from miniatures, to replica birds’ eggs, to a human powered bakery – along with animations that bring to life fibre, wool, clay and found objects.

This year we are stoked that three films in the international selection are from Australia – featuring Tjanpi Desert Weavers’ animations and the working life of WA woodturner Neil Turner, filmed by Fremantle-based Rae Fallon.

To find dates and info, read more and more importantly buy tickets (please), via our Event Page: Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival 2019.

Real to Reel: The Craft Film Festival is produced by the Crafts Council and Crafts magazine.