In short, the sun rises on film festival

The best filmmaking in Melbourne’s west will light up the silver screen when the Setting Sun Short Film Festival heads to Yarraville.

The inaugural event, planned for March next year, is aimed at supporting filmmakers lacking a suitable local outlet for their creativity.

Festival creator Anna Bourozikas (pictured with actor Stephen Brooks) says entries are now open in a range of categories to recognise filmmakers from the western suburbs and beyond.

“The idea came from a conversation I had with my husband; we were talking about the lack of a film festival out here,” she says.

The aspiring West Footscray filmmaker says there has been widespread support for the festival, to be held at the Sun Theatre from March 27-30.

“I’ve been working on it since the start of the year and it’s all coming together even faster than I expected. There has been a lot of enthusiasm already, people saying this was something that has been needed.”

The bulk of awards will go to filmmakers living or shooting in the west, but Bourozikas is encouraging entries from far and wide. Prizes will be awarded for best short feature, documentary, director and screenplay, and best films by tertiary and secondary students.

Entries must be under 12 minutes and submitted by January 31. 

» settingsunshortfilmfestival.com.au