By Benjamin Millar
Anna Bourozikas, festival director of the Setting Sun Film Festival, feels at home thanks to the diversity of Melbourne’s inner-west. She speaks with Benjamin Millar
What’s your connection with the inner-west?
I moved here in 2001. I’d just got married and was expecting my first child. My husband was working out here. Like a lot of people my age, the west was the only place that was still affordable for a young first time homebuyer. We were part of that generational move to the inner-west that is slowly transforming the area – the area has changed so much in nearly 20 years. We lived in Sunshine for 11 years and it is unrecognisable now compared to then.
What do you like most about the area?
I love how ethnically diverse the area is. I grew up in an ethnically diverse area (Oakleigh/Clayton), so I love feeling there are lots of people of different cultures around me. It makes me feel at home. I love being close to the city and other inner city areas. I love the strong community feeling and westie identity that people have here, encouraged by that village feel.
What are your favourite local places?
Sapa Hills in Footscray is a family favourite for most occasions, great fresh food and flavours. Sun Theatre for movies – nothing beats meeting someone outside for drink or a coffee and seeing a movie in one of the gorgeous art deco theatres.
Pizza d’Asporto in Yarraville has great pizza and even better Italian deserts, the Reverence Hotel for good vegetarian food and bands, Central West Bakery for the bread rolls and little fruit custard tarts.
I love going to Footscray Community Arts Centre when I can, I love having a work space at Kindred Studios because of the all creative entrepreneurs I meet there and I love Savers Footscray.
When I can, a drink at Littlefoot Bar, where I often run into someone I know and it is nice and relaxed.
What can you tell us about the Setting Sun Film Festival?
The idea came in a flash one day because I wanted to go to a film festival without having to go to the other side of the city. Sun Theatre were on board straight away. It took about a year to set up and get off the ground – a lot of people and organisations provided me with help and sponsorship that first year, especially my friends and family.
The name reflects how the sun sets in the west, because in the first few years the festival focus on filmmakers and filmmaking in the west was stronger. But then more and more filmmakers started entering from outside the west and overseas, now that is the biggest area of growth. It used to be called the Setting Sun Short Film Festival but in 2018 we showed a feature film so I tweaked the name.
What are you most proud about?
l’m proud of making a positive contribution to my community, of seeing it grow from an idea to becoming a big film festival. And conquering fears: I have a complete terror of flying long haul, but managed to conquer it to go on a family holiday to Europe with my family last year. Swimming in the deep end of the pool, I’m not a strong swimmer.
What is something people may be surprised to learn about you?
I worked as a dresser in London’s West End. The west is a bit of a theme it seems. People are always surprised to learn I have a Greek background. As a child, I had to learn to speak English when I started school.
Entries for the sixth annual Setting Sun Film Festival close midnight January 31. The 2019 festival will be screened at the Sun Theatre in Yarraville from May 2-6, with more than $10,000 up for grabs in cash and prizes. Details: settingsun.com.au
