PRESS RELEASE
The Australian Cinema & Entertainment Network is calling for short film submissions from filmmakers to compete in a new crowd-powered nationwide short film tournament with a $10,000 prize pool.
The Australian Short Film Creativity Awards (AUSSCAs) will be held in partner venues across Australia, including pubs, clubs, hotels and RSLs, from 15 July to celebrate creative achievements in short filmmaking, and to screen a curated selection of Australian short films to the local communities who attend these venues.
The AUSSCA winners will be decided by the audiences themselves, who will vote for their favourite creative elements from the films each week via a proprietary mobile app, with screenings taking place over five weeks in a tournament style competition.
Australian Cinema & Entertainment Network (AUSCEN) managing director Gary Patterson said the AUSSCAs would showcase the best in Australian filmmaking creativity, while giving the general public a new and unique entertainment option to enjoy with their friends.
“Our local pubs and clubs are vibrant community hubs for people to get together with their friends and enjoy all forms of entertainment, so they’re already well-suited as perfect screening venues where people can get together in a relaxed environment,” he said.
“These venues are regularly hosting weekly events like trivia and are already well-suited to other forms of screen entertainment, and we’re finding great enthusiasm for a dedicated event that focuses on Australian creativity and the skills of our young filmmakers. Plus you can grab a parma and a pot while you watch the films!”
AUSCEN already has significant experience in this area, as the operator of the Moovibar micro-cinema franchise, which installs small cinemas inside similar venues and screens recent release movies for members and local communities. Moovibar has had particular success in regional communities, with the micro-cinema installed at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort operating since 2012.
The AUSSCAs will also provide the opportunity for filmmakers or interested community members to join as ambassadors or hosts for the individual screenings, and they are accepting expressions of interest now.
Short film submissions for the AUSSCAs close on 30 June, and tickets for each event are already on sale via the AUSSCAs website.
AUSSCA’S KEY DATES
Submissions close – Tue 30th June
Quarter Final I – Wed 15th July
Quarter Final II – Wed 22nd July
Quarter Final III – Wed 29th July
Quarter Final IV – Wed 5th August
Grand Final – Wed 12th August