Recliner is proud to share the successful screening of Beezal Mop CinemaShorts at FOMO Cinemas — a curated program of short-form films created by emerging Melbourne-based directors. This special event showcased the current slate of Beezal Mop episodes already in circulation, highlighting the project’s commitment to community-driven storytelling and its unique approach to enhancing the cinema-going experience.
Each Beezal Mop film is a tightly-crafted, two-minute short designed to screen before feature presentations, bringing audiences a burst of character, humour, and local flavour. The program includes Occupied, a high-stakes public bathroom standoff starring Justin Rosniak; One Beer, where pub patrons offer unsolicited advice to a freshly heartbroken local; Battered, a surreal tale of a fish-turned-man racing to meet a fishmonger; The Rollerskater, a pastel-drenched dream that unexpectedly mirrored Barbie screenings; and The Realtor, an absurdist prelude that paired seamlessly with Asteroid City.
“Beezal Mop is about creating opportunities for local filmmakers while also driving audiences back into independent cinemas,” said Lawrence Phelan, founder of Recliner Films and producer of the series. “This wasn’t a launch — it was a celebration of what’s already out there, a chance to give our current work a bigger screen and connect with audiences face-to-face.”
Each short film was made in collaboration with local crew, cast, and businesses, and all screenings are cost-free for participating cinemas. The model supports emerging creatives while contributing to the sustainability of independent exhibition.
Feedback from audiences has been overwhelmingly positive. At a previous screening at Pivotonian Cinema in Geelong, over 40% of attendees reported they had never visited the venue before and were drawn in specifically to see the Beezal Mop films — a clear indication of the program’s ability to engage new viewers and support local cinemas.
Recliner Films plans to continue developing new episodes in the series, with future collaborations already in discussion. All completed films will also be released across digital platforms including YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, and directors are encouraged to submit their work to festivals following their cinema run.
“We see Beezal Mop as more than a film project — it’s a creative pipeline that supports our local screen culture, from grassroots talent through to regional cinemas,” said Phelan. “And most importantly, it brings a little surprise and joy back to the cinema-going experience.”
Watch The Rollerskater – One of the shorts that played on the evening here!