MUFF COMES TO TV

Following our MUFF DIARY we have one final goodie for you. The Melbourne Underground Film Festival is coming to television this week with their very first ever BEST OF MINI MUFF program. As the name suggests some of the best short films from this year's festival have been selected for a new episodic program, which showcase a variety of confronting, artistic and entertaining films. The show debuts at 10:30PM this Tuesday night (October 7) on Channel 31 in Melbourne. Make sure you tune in for 30 minutes of MUFF.

Back in August I spoke with the festival co-director HUSSEIN KHODER to discuss what the festival has in store for us and I have caught up with him again for a quick TAKE FIVE. I asked him 5 snappy questions about the new TV show. Here's what he had to say... 

How many submitted films did you have to watch this year?
 

Since I am the short film curator I had to watch all the short film that were submitted. There was about 230-250 short films submitted. 

What qualities qualified a film for competition?
 

I look for a few things. First I have to like it. I am not going to select it if I don't like it.
 Then I look for a few things like how original it is and how entertaining it is and how memorable it is. Since I am a massive fan of experimental and avant-garde cinema I usually accept all the experimental films we get.
 Finally I look for the two best things; Violence and Nudity. The more extreme the better.
 If a film has either violence or nudity or both then it usually has a better chance


One thing I don't concern myself with is the actual quality of the film (low-res or hi-res) since not all film makers have money or equipment to make their films look amazing. 

What was the highlight of the festival for you?

The highlight for me was getting to meet so many different people from all parts of the industry. I am a filmmaker myself so expanding my network is something I am always doing and this year's festival was the best place to do it. Also seeing so many people attend the short film nights that I curated was such a great feeling

Was choosing shorts for the new TV show difficult?
 
  
I sat in all the short film screenings and I could see what people liked and what they didn't like. So I went with the stuff that people are going to want to see and I also added a few of my own personal favourites as well.


What can we expect from Best of Mini Muff?
 

You can expect some of the best and wildest short films that MUFF have received and there is something in the show for everyone. So make sure you watch it.