AUDIO GUIDE FOLLOW-UP SOUNDS GOOD BUT SHORTS NEED CASH

From its World Premiere at the SciFi Film Festival last September, Chris Elena’s award-winning short film Audio Guide was set to take the world by storm. When the young director shipped it around, programmers responded; it was booked for slots at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival and California’s Cinequest.

But COVID-19 nixed those festivals, as well as the 2020 run of the Aussie arts bash, Short + Sweet. Elena connected with the creative team behind the planned production of Refused Classification, a darkly comedic anti-censorship play that was to have debuted at Short + Sweet. Together, they have reworked the concept and the project has re-emerged as Elena’s highly anticipated follow-up.

"It is a fictional story about the M.P.A.A. and how they've been negatively geared towards queer relationships and sex in general,” says Elena (pictured, right). “Polyamorous, bisexual and queer audiences have been robbed of seeing themselves on screen without restrictions. And lovers of film have had to put up with condensed and watered down stories and depictions due to a flawed and dated ratings system.”

Elena has adapted the play’s text with co-writer Bradford Elmore, who co-hosts the podcast By The Bi with his wife, Angela (pictured, below). The popular chat show explores bisexuality, the swinger lifestyle and open relationships, most notably their own. “Refused Classification is a love letter to them and the community," promises Elena, who will reteam for the shoot with his Audio Guide DOP Kym Vaitiekus and leading lady Emma Wright, who is on board as associate producer.

Faced with an arts sector in financial turmoil and an industry funding model that has abandoned the short film format, Elena is banking on private backers. “We’re crowdfunding this project because it won't exist otherwise,” states Elena, bluntly. “It's a short story but it's an important one and we want to share it with you.” 

The production is utilising the Australian Cultural Fund website to collate it’s production budget and launches in line with an online screening of Audio Guide on the St Kilda Short Film Festival; the campaign will be active until August 1.