For the love of film: Q+A with Director Phil McKinnon

From quirky comedies to spine-tingling horror and everything in between, the Random Directions Film Festival celebrates the creativity of local filmmakers across the Upper South. Before the lights go down, Amy Russ caught up with co-organiser Phil McKinnon to talk about his lifelong love of film, what inspires the festival and the passion behind bringing local stories to the big screen.

You're the driving force behind Random Directions Film Festival, but before we talk about the festival, who are you away from it? I'd love to take all the credit, but I’m lucky enough to run Random Directions alongside my lifelong mate Chris Lippiatt, my wife Amy, and an amazing community behind us pushing things along... Away from the festival, first and foremost, I'm a husband to Amy and dad to our son, Odin.

Have you always been drawn to storytelling, or did film come into your life later? I’ve always been drawn to movies, from working at Oscars Video Store in my teens then moving on to Top Town Cinemas, when movies were projected and screened from film, to today working at Event Cinemas and learning the mechanics behind movies moving to digital, programming and distribution etc. Making them didn't really come until a bit later on, but the love for movies has always been there.

What does a great film do that other forms of storytelling can't? Film helps people escape into a world they wouldn't otherwise. It can take them into a mysterious place, epic journey or somewhere peaceful. It all depends on which world they want to go into. It matters because I think most people like to escape from real world conflicts, pressures and stresses and film allows them to do that.

Was there a particular moment when you thought, ‘Our community needs a film festival like this’? When I saw that the festivals around were all focused on awards, red carpets and being the best/winning film. I decided that we needed a film festival that just celebrates filmmaking as it is and celebrates everyone's hard work equally without competition. We aren't about making films to win awards or be glorified, we make film because we love it, we want to have fun while creating something awesome and we want to share that awesomeness with the world.

What's one piece of advice you'd give someone who's been sitting on a creative idea for years? Get in contact with us! The best part of filmmaking is anyone can do it and we have a great supportive team and group of local filmmakers in both Nelson and Marlborough who are always keen to help – from actors, directors and producers to people who like to build stuff, do makeup or cook. There are so many aspects of filmmaking behind the scenes, so there's always a job for those keen to get involved. So, come to the festival and say hello, meet some very cool people, get involved and we can help bring your idea to life.

Random Directions Film Festival | Event Cinemas, 29 August