Late Bloomers Film Festival: The hottest ticket in town
Clare Pickering is a busy 50-something actor, writer and director. A couple of months ago, while attending Tropfest film festival in Sydney, she had an epiphany.
Which means she’s also now a film festival director.
Her moment of clarity came during a session when Tropfest founder, John Polson, was expounding upon the opportunities for emerging filmmakers. But, of course, to be ‘emerging’ you also seemed to need to be young, rather than just young at heart.
“I felt this was my calling. I stood up and said to John, ‘I’m probably the oldest person in this room. Tropfest is so good at supporting emerging filmmakers, young filmmakers, but there’s a whole cohort of people like myself who’ve been trying to break into the industry for decades, or who have started later in life. Is there an opportunity for Tropfest to support us?’
“After Tropfest I pursued this idea, mainly because many other attendees had shared their stories with me; stories of being in their 50s, 60s and even 80s and simply feeling invisible.
“While Polson is keen on the idea to support older creatives through Tropfest, I’m a little impatient.” I realised if I didn’t do this thing myself, it might not happen. So, in June, together with my friends, Gary Boulter and Ali Aitken, we launched the Late Bloomers Fest.”
What’s on at Late Bloomers Fest
This celebration of mature talent will screen on 6 December at the Brunswick Picture House and feature 5 to 10 minute films which meet the following criteria:
- The writer and or director is over 50
- 50% of the cast and crew are also over 50
- The story is focused on people aged over 50.
I’m told that tickets will go on sale about a month before the screening. Late Bloomers Fest Insiders (people who subscribe to the email newsletter) will have exclusive early access to tickets. For non-subscribers, the tickets will go on sale 24 hours after subscribers get access.
You can expect details on how to book to be shared on the website, through email, and on social media.
Flipping the script on ageism
Clare is determined to flip the script on ageism.
“My message to these mature age production companies is ‘I see you, I hear you’.”
As a long-term creative herself, as well as a member of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), she has witnessed a consistent pattern of punitive age limits in the creative industries, with scholarships usually confined to new graduates.
Her strong desire is to offer the same kind of opportunity to those who are aged over 50 and often considered ‘past it’ in these industries. In fact, during our conversation, she mentioned a female actor who, just weeks ago, at age 30, was let go by her agent as she was ‘too old’. Too old for what, one has to wonder?
A calling born from caring for her parents
Giving voice to those who are not heard is far from a novel proposition for Clare. She originally launched the Late Bloomers Productions company back in 2014 in order to take her one-woman show, Doing Time with Number 5, to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Not only was this a gutsy thing to do, but it was also an emotional response to the challenge of caring for her two parents who both had dementia.
At that time, Clare was based in Sydney but flying in and out of Perth across the years during which both her parents declined. As a former nurse, she was probably better equipped than many of us to handle dementia. But that’s the medical aspect and doesn’t take into account the emotional toll it takes to watch your parents retreat, step by step, to a place where you can no longer reach them.
Her dad, Warren, passed away in 2012, followed by her mum, Helen, four years later. Helen was previously a classical singer, but she had become non-verbal. Clare gave her mum headphones to listen to an aria. It was a breakthrough moment, based on the science of music memory, that gave Helen a voice again.
The Edinburgh Fringe was an incredible experience for Clare, both humbling and overwhelming, particularly when many audience members reached out with their own stories of dementia, loss, hope and care.
“I became a bit of a champion for dementia,” says Clare. “An advocate for those who don’t have a voice. My motto really has become to give a voice to those who don’t have one.”
From acting setbacks to a new creative path
That determination has now spread to giving a voice to those who wish to pursue creative work much longer than is considered ‘typical’ in the arts industry.
“I wanted to pursue acting after my training as an actor, but I wasn’t being cast – apparently I was ‘too old’ in my 30s, so I turned to writing and filmmaking as a way of continuing to create and enjoy good roles.”
The stories pouring in
On a more positive note, Clare, Gary and Ali have been surprised and delighted at the number of films they’ve received.
“It’s amazing the things people over 50 are doing – one woman wrote her first nonfiction book at 93, and she’s now onto her third. Others are finding love or enjoying new experiences and new ways of working. I want to shine a light on the conversations that don’t always make it to stories on screen.
We need to hear these stories.
Visibility is the biggest thing
I see you, I hear you.”
Getting involved
Late Bloomers Film Festival submissions are open until 1 November (for the regular deadline). Late submissions will be accepted until 21 November, but it’s smart to get in quick to avoid the late fees. Submit your film here.
For information on the Red Carpet Screening on 6 December head to the Late Bloomers Fest – Short Film Festival website. For updates on news and special offers subscribe to the newsletter. You can also find the Late Bloomers Fest on Instagram and Facebook.
Would you like to go along as part of a Seniors in Melbourne outing? Express your interest here and we’ll be in touch with details closer to the date.
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