Tasmanian coming-of-age film highlighted in Flickerfest’s national tour screening in Hobart

Flickerfest is back in Hobart this weekend, showcasing the best of 2023’s Australian and international short films.

Flickerfest film Ghost Gear will screen at Flickerfest in Tasmania this week as part of its national tour. Ghost Gear is directed by Danielle Baynes, who shot the short film on Bruny Island, using local cast, crew and the stunning landscape. Picture: Flickerfest

In a beachside suburb outside Hobart, a teenage boy’s life unravels after he tries to steal a car in a bid to impress his mates.

So goes the coming-of-age story and short film, Pulsar, directed by Tasmanian filmmaker Gabriel Morrison.

Pulsar is one of a host of films that will be screened in Hobart this weekend, as part of Flickerfest’s national tour of its best international and Australian shorts for 2023.

Morrison, 26, has come a long way since his days as a Hobart student before studying in Sydney with the Australian Film, Television and Radio School.

He’s since completed a traineeship of several years with “legendary” Australian gaffer, lighting technician Reg Garside, who famously gaffed The Matrix.

During 2020 and 2021, Morrison was employed by the superhero production company giant Marvel Studios, working in the lighting department for the mega franchise films Thor: Love and Thunder, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Morrison, who now works freelance in lighting, shooting and directing, returned home last year to shoot Pulsar, with an all-volunteer cast and crew.

Hobart born-and-raised Gabriel Morrison shot his film Pulsar at Primrose Sands, which doesn't stray too far from the truth of his years growing up in Tasmania during the early 2000s. Pulsar will screen at Flickerfest's national tour in Hobart this week. Picture: Flickerfest

“It’s about a young man trying to provide himself to his friends and finding out who his real mates are,” he said.

“It’s very much a social realist film.

“We shot it over five days in Primrose Sands, and used all Tasmanian cast and crew.”

Morrison said Pulsar didn’t “stray too far” from some of the experiences he’d had himself growing up in Tasmania, staying with friends at Primrose Sands, and how teenage boys would do just about anything to be accepted or seen as cool.

“I wanted to tell a uniquely Tasmanian coming-of-age story that represents a small chunk of my generation,” he said.

Other Tasmanian films to screen this weekend include Game Face, by Gillian Crosby, and Bruny Island film Ghost Gear by Danielle Baynes.

Flickerfest 2023 – Best of International Shorts, Best of Australian Shorts will screen on July 14 and 15 at the Peacock Theatre in Salamanca.

Tickets are $17 per session or $32 for both sessions, with concessions available.

For more details and to book, go to flickerfest.com.au/tour/hobart

CygnetFlickerfest is Saturday, September 2, 6pm - Best of International Shorts - 2023 Tour - $17/ $12con (+bf)

Sunday, September 3, 2pm - Best of Australian Shorts - 2023 Tour Tasmania - $17/ $12con (+bf)

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