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Time running out to enter Port Shorts
24 September 2015
Port Shorts Film Festival Director Alison George said filmmakers had until October 1 to enter and be in with a chance to have their film screened under the stars in tropical Port Douglas on October 23-24.
“We want to showcase the best young and emerging filmmakers from around Australia and put on a celebration of short films everyone will remember and want to participate in,” Alison said.
Two of Australia’s leading film industry figures, Wolf Creek and Rogue producer Matt Hearn and acclaimed actor Stephen Curry (The Castle, The Cup, Underbelly, Hiding) have signed on as judges and ambassadors of the Port Shorts Film Festival which features a $5000 cash prize for the best short film in the Open Filmmakers Awards.
Young filmmakers from around Australia aged 18 years and under can enter the Young Filmmakers Awards, with $1000 in cash and a digital Canon XC10 SLR camera up for grabs in the categories of Short Film, Microdocumentary and Music Video. There is also the Local Filmmakers Awards with $2000 cash awarded to the winner and the New York Film Academy is sponsoring a four-week filmmaking course valued at $3800 which will be awarded to one deserving finalist.
Matt Hearn said he and friend Stephen Curry were excited to be a part of the Port Shorts Film Festival.
“Both Stephen and I got our start in the film industry with short films and we’re excited to support Port Shorts helping showcase the next generation of filmmakers on the big screen,” Hearn said. “If you haven’t entered yet, we’re eager to see your film.”
The Port Shorts Film Festival will also host a film locations roadshow in the week leading up to the event for filmmakers interested in sourcing locations for future projects, with Matt and Stephen to also host a free filmmakers forum in Port Douglas on October 24.
Sydney filmmaker Ashley Davies has secured his place at the 2015 Port Shorts Film Festival by earning “First Finalist” honours with his clever comedy The JC Effect, earning a weekend of the Hollywood treatment at QT Resort Port Douglas for the Port Shorts Film Festival.
The JC Effect tells the story of Jay Chrstenson, who at the age of 33 wakes up to find himself facing a dilemma with his life going nowhere until he has a revelation … of sorts. Davies said he dreamed up the concept for his short film while cycling his bike to work.
“It was the age I was at and I wanted to put a funny spin on it,” he said. “Writing comedy is a new thing for me so it feels great to be a finalist and I can’t wait to come up and check out the Port Shorts Film Festival.”
For more information on the Port Shorts Film Festival check out www.portshorts.com.
Featured image: Port Shorts Film Festival logo