Press release from Lithgow High School
Lithgow High School has continued to build on a tradition of success in a number of festivals and competitions in the exciting field of film making.
Lithgow High School was recently invited to screen two films as part of the Planet in Focus film festival in Toronto. Planet in Focus is one of the largest environmental film festivals in Canada and one of the largest of its type in the world.
The two films, the multi –award winning “Wind Girl” and “Shark Pool” focus on important environmental issues seen through the eyes of young people. Both films reflect the ongoing concerns of young people about the future of the planet. The two films were the only Australian representatives in a wide international line up of professional releases.
In addition to building on an already impressive reputation for documentary filmmaking Lithgow High School filmmaking students have also distinguished themselves in the action adventure genre.
“Shagua de Huangjin” is an action/love story set in the turbulent 1800’s gold rush. It stars local high school students and features striking locations around the Lithgow Area including the famous Zig Zag Railway, Hartley Historical Village and the Bathurst Goldfields.
Extraordinary community support substituted for funds and the film has the look and feel of a big budget extravaganza. Shagua was produced as a result of an invitation by the Dungog Film Festival at which it premiered, alongside such films as Mrs Careys Concert earlier this year.
“Shagua de Huangjin” has gone on to be recognised with the best national Middle School award at the 2011 ATOM (Australian Teachers of Media) Awards, which was held in Melbourne in October. 2011 is the third year running that Lithgow High School has won this category. Part of an international line up, “Shagua de Huangjin” represented the only high school nomination from NSW in this prestigious event.
“Shagua De Huangjin” also made it through the first round of the prestigious “Inside Film” Independent Spirit awards against a significant line up of notable professional Australian releases.
Lithgow High School Film makers’ most recent project, “The Creek”, was recently in competition at the Panasonic New Vision Awards screening at the Dendy Opera Quays. “The Creek” took out the State Awards for best High School film and also won the craft award for best videography.
The Future is looking exciting for Lithgow High School with a number of documentary and fiction projects in development.