By Goya Dmytryshchak
Filmmakers are being invited to share their journey with the annual Altona Beach Film Festival, now in its fifth year.
Entries open on May 1 for the short film festival and this year’s theme is ‘Journey’.
President Annette Stephens said the theme was one of the broadest yet and entrants were encouraged to put their own spin on it.
“It can be a journey that you’ve had as a holiday or your journey as life or just a simple journey of walking to the shops here and there,” she said.
“Journey can be used in many different ways. It might be a friend’s journey, an animal’s journey. Maybe it’s just a simple plane ride from here to Brisbane.”
Last year’s festival attracted 32 entries.
“We’ve had an increase in people from overseas and nationally entering, so that’s been great,” Ms Stephens said.
“One of the reasons we started this festival was to give amateur filmmakers and professionals an opportunity to have their films seen by a large audience and judged by professionals.”
This year’s judging panel will include noted documentary maker Wain Fimeri from Altona and past winner Aaron Ellis from Altona Meadows.
Films, including titles and credits, can be no longer than seven minutes.
Awards will be presented in age categories of 13 or under, 14 to 21 and open age.
There will also be Best in Festival and People’s Choice awards.
All films entered, along with awards and $2300 prize money, will be presented at a gala film screening at Altona City Theatre on August 17.
Films can be submitted until June 30.
Details: www.altonabeachfilmfestival.com.au
Goya Dmytryshchak
