The Shorts in Paradise Festival (SIPFest) is an an annual showcase of the fourteen best short films from across Australia, and a key strand in the Gold Coast Film Festival program.
SIPFest takes place in the outdoors on Surfers Paradise beach, screening 10-minute shorts by emerging filmmakers from around the country.
“Short filmmaking has really come into its own in recent decades, and this year’s entries really reinforce the standard of filmmakers we have in Australia", Gold Coast Film Festival Director Lucy Fisher said.
“Short filmmaking offers a great opportunity for filmmakers to try something new, whether that is different techniques or different crews, it’s more affordable and manageable than committing to a feature film. It’s a really great foundation for filmmaking and the best way to learn practically."
“With most professional filmmakers beginning their career on the set of a short film, SIPFest provides an opportunity to identify and reward talented emerging filmmakers both locally and from around Australia.”
The following SIPFest winners, judged by a panel of film industry experts, shared in $10,000 prize money:
Best Screenplay: We're Here Now – Nikki Richardson
Best Actress: Pia O'Connell (Arcade)
Best Actor: Tristan Savage (Gubbament Man)
Best Cinematographer: Upside Down Feeling
Best Local Film: Arcade – Megan Chambers
Best Film Runner Up: Foetal Position – Claudia Fitzgerald
Best Film: Upside Down Feeling
People's Choice: Foetal Position