Perth Voice Interactive

AN inflatable God with green hair and skinny arms, an Australian barista who makes men from magic coffee beans, and a group therapy session where all the participants are dead.

These are just some of the wacky characters and plots in the 2024 Over the Fence film festival, which is dedicated to off-beat and subversive comedy shorts.

The theme for this year’s festival is the “endings and beginnings of life in all of its facets, two inescapable paradigms that cannot exist without each other”.

Or the Circle of Life as Elton John once said.

Festival director Greg Coffey has handpicked 14 of the best comedy shorts from across the globe with selections from the UK, US, Spain and New Zealand.

There’s also a strong contingent of Australian flicks with Victoria well represented.

“What impresses me about this years selection is how generous and giving filmmakers seem to have become since covid,” Coffey says.

“There is no right or wrong emphasised in these stories, rather how do we get along with what we have…it’s wonderful.”

If you like your comedy a little absurd with a divine twist, then The Wavy Handed God could be your salvation.

It’s about a man who wakes up alone in a vast green wasteland, then sees God…

Well, it’s actually one of those super tall inflatable tube men you see at the side of the road advertising things.

A light-hearted film with a surreal bent, The Wavy Handed God was made in Victoria and has gone down well on the festival circuit, claiming top spot at the Paris Independent Film Festival, Tokyo Indie Shorts fest, and 2023 Vegas Shorts.

Some of the best comedy is rooted in man’s worst fears.

In Bald Future, Peter believes that his worsening hair loss is the root cause of all his problems at work, where he is treated with disdain and has become an outcast.

Peter just wants to fit in, but things go from bad to worse when the company hires the good-looking Brad, who has a set of flowing locks.

With his job hanging by a thread, Peter hatches a desperate scheme to get his career back on track. But will it succeed?

Co-directed by Reilly Archer-Whelan, this quirky Victorian movie is a hoot and manages to tackle some weighty social themes while still making you laugh.

The UK comedy short Feirg has a great concept – Hera finds herself at a grief therapy group where all the participants are dead. The only way out is to apply for reincarnation…

If the film is anything like The Lobster, we are in for a mind-bending treat.

The Voice won’t reveal anymore of the plot – it’s best to go along and see what unfolds.

Most folk love a Rocky-style yarn where the underdog overcomes all the odds to beat the favourite and emerge victorious.  

Well, Ultimate Frisbee is a quirky and slightly dark take on that genre.

Cameron, who is on the verge of taking his own life, is coerced into playing a game of ultimate frisbee against a champion-winning player.

What unfolds is a sweaty redemption of sorts that subverts the established sports movie genre into something funny and slightly unique.

If you like magic and dark fantasy, then the Human Bean will be right up your wizard’s sleeve.

‘Flynn, a Brunswick coffee lord, unknowingly births the Human Bean, and tries to use his bodily fluids to win the Brunswick Best Beans competition.’

I think we’ll leave it at that.

Over the Fence is at Luna Leederville on Friday May 17 and Luna SX Fremantle on Friday May 24. For screening times and tix see lunapalace.com.au. Festival attendees can vote for their favourite short with the winner announced at the end of the Festival.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK