[Press Release by SHORTS]
The SHORTS Film Festival has announced that 25 films from a record 210 entries have been short-listed for final judging, due to take place this weekend.
Entries for this year’s festival rose by 23% compared to the last festival.
Fourteen preliminary judging sessions were held between Adelaide and Melbourne to decide the 60 films to be screened at the festival, with the top ranking 25 making final judging and a chance of winning an award.
The judging criteria is focused on the filmmakers ability to tell the story with production values being a less significant consideration, reflecting the festival’s dedicated focus on developing and championing excellence in cinematic storytelling.
Preliminary judging was held in Melbourne for the first time this year as the festival continues to grow its presence outside of the host city, Adelaide.
SHORTS Film Festival Director, Teri Whiting said, “We are now establishing ourselves as a truly national festival with international links.”
“The number of entries from across Australia demonstrate that short filmmakers hold SHORTS in high regard with many choosing to enter their film for the chance of a premier screening at the festival.”
“The festival’s partnership with the prestigious Rushes SOHO Shorts in London has also certainly provided additional incentives for filmmakers and given entries a boost.”
Selected films from SHORTS were screened for the first time this year in London’s inner- city Curzon cinemas to great acclaim under a reciprocal rights arrangement with Rushes SOHO Shorts.
“A single entry to SHORTS can get your film shown in Adelaide, Parachilna (Flinders Ranges) and London and take you to Cannes, to experience the biggest film festival in the world, said Teri.
This year’s SHORTS Film Festival is shaping up to the best ever, with a move to its new home at the historic Queens Theatre, which will allow for bigger audiences.
The festival will retain its unique club like atmosphere with films being viewed in a social environment, rather than in a hushed darkened cinema.
The audience, including filmmakers, will be seated at tables in an intimate setting and encouraged to enjoy food and wine and actively engage in discussion on the films with each other.
The final program for SHORTS will be released in mid-October but the winners won’t be announced until the festival’s awards night on Sunday 30 November.
The SHORTS Film Festival total prize pool is over $50,000, making it one of the most lucrative in the country.
The winner receives a trip to Cannes Film Festival including return airfare, festival entry, accommodation and $1,000 spending money.
Other prizes include two days use of a ‘Boom Sound’ Mixing Theatre valued at $6,000 proudly supported by Best-fx plus return airfare for an interstate winner, in addition to a number of merit prizes.
For those 25 years and under, there is also a special Best 25 Under prize provided by the Kojo Group, comprising Oasis post-production services including editing and colour grading valued at $7,000 and Kojo Productions camera hire and production valued at $3,000.
Tickets for the festival will go on-sale on in mid-October and will be available through BASS.
For more information on the SHORTS Film Festival, visit www.shortsfilmfestival.com