Enter the Hervey Bay Film Festival
Time is running out for filmmakers, screenwriters and photographers to enter the inaugural Hervey Bay Film Festival before submissions close on September 6.
Artistic director Nigel Squires said entries began flowing soon after the launch of the festival in June with more than 60 works already received.
“We have some strong contenders in the Best Australian Film category and are expecting some cracking short films from budding student filmmakers,” he said.
“Australia has wonderful history of movie making and has produced some gems over the years from Picnic at Hanging Rock and Crocodile Dundee to Muriel’s Wedding and The Castle.
“We want to stimulate the local filmmaking economy and promote locally-made films and pilots.”
The Fraser Coast region has already featured on the big screen in movies such as 1989’s The Delinquents, starring Kylie Minogue; 2008’s Fool’s Gold, starring Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson; and this year’s He Loves Me Not, starring Lincoln Lewis.
“We know the area provides an amazing backdrop for films with its pristine marine environment, beautiful natural landscapes and historic architecture and we want to see more of it in cinemas and on TV screens,” Mr Squires said.
“Whether you’re a seasoned director or an emerging talent, we want to see your vision.”
He said the festival’s filmmaking categories included documentaries and series as well as feature and short films.
Mr Squires said there would also be a Film on the Fly competition for those who made a short film of, and during, the festival day which could be submitted up to two weeks after the event.
“We’ll be organising creative workshops and mentoring sessions with industry professionals to help people develop their skills,” he said.
Mr Squires’ HBFF Productions would also offer crew and filmmaking equipment at cost-effective rates to students and low-budget filmmakers to assist with the process.
“I’m passionate about local filmmaking but the festival is open anyone from anywhere around the world,” Mr Squires said.
“We want to see a broad range of entries to spark the imaginations of people who come along to the festival see the finalists.
“I want to establish Hervey Bay as a destination on the film festival map and attract visitors to the region to boost the local tourism industry.”
The festival was not only about filmmakers, he said, screenwriters and photographers were also encouraged to submit their work for judging.
“This is a terrific opportunity for local creatives to have their work seen by a wider audience,” Mr Squires said.
He said scripts for feature films, short films and series, whether it was a single episode or an entire series, were welcome.
“Our photography section has a truly broad range of categories from advertising and architecture, people and sports to landscape and nature,” Mr Squires said.
He said the festival would be held throughout September, feature movie screenings on September 12 at Pialba’s Bigscreen Cinemas and culminate in an awards evening on September 21 at the Hervey Bay Boat Club in Urangan.
Submission fees for film and script student entries were $15 and started at $20 for non-students.
Submission fees for student photographers are $20 for five entries.
For more information and to enter, go to hbff.com.au.
