[press release from the Festivalists]
Seven films will be competing in the 3rd Young At Heart Short Film Awards, a national film competition which highlights the artistic contribution of seniors to Australian short films.
The awards showcase the best new Australian short films made by or starring seniors, selected from a national call for submissions. Finalists will compete for two $1,000 cash awards, bestowed on the night by a jury made up of journalist Bruce Elder, actor Don Reid and newspaper editor Ita Buttrose.
The NSW Seniors Week Award for Best Senior Talent will recompense the most significant artistic contribution by a senior, whether as a member of cast or crew. The Movie Network Channels Award will go to the Best Film, as voted for by the audience.
A wildcard entry will be made as part of the Young at Heart Filmmakers Lab, a filmmaking workshop for seniors during which a team of intrepid filmmakers will write, direct and edit a short film in only five days.
The short-listed films include the Australian premiere of Cool White, the filmmaking debut from veteran screenwriter John Alsop (TV’s Brides of Christ) and Nana, a short film by Warwick Thornton, director of the acclaimed upcoming Australian film Samson And Delilah.
The finalists will be screened as part of Young at Heart, Sydney’s 4th Seniors Film Festival, on Sunday March 22nd at Dendy Opera Quays in Sydney. Winners will be announced at the screening.
Returning March 19 – 22 as a flagship event of NSW Seniors Week, the popular Seniors Film Festival features 4 days of film premieres, beloved classics, free workshops, parties and exclusive Q&A’s at Dendy Opera Quays.
Tickets to the Young at Heart Short Film Awards are only $3 for seniors and $10 for everyone else and the screening will include a free glass of bubbly and a Q&A with the finalists. For further details visit www.youngatheart.net.au. To receive a program in the post, call 02 9281 5608. Young at Heart is presented by The Festivalists and the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC).
FULL LIST OF FINALISTS
FENG (WIND) – director: Aaron Wilson
STOLEN HONOUR – director: Leon Chrysostomou
LOVE AND MUSIC – director: Therese Sweeney
COOL WHITE – director: John Alsop
NANA – director: Warwick Thornton
DRAGONS ABREAST SYDNEY – director: Chris Saville
SUNDAY TIMES – director: Peter Crombie
[Wildcard entry from the Young at Heart Filmmakers Lab]