Film Festival History
The Wollombi Valley Short Film Festival is one of the most unique Short Film opportunities in Australia. Held every September in Wollombi Valley, on the edge of the Hunter Valley, NSW, the Wollombi Short Film Festival has been run by locals since 1998.
The Wollombi Valley Short Film Festival showcases short films, 10 minutes or less in duration, on any topic, any genre. Student films, art films, experimental, activist, documentary, environment, comic, cartoon, musical, serious, or silly - all films are welcome, especially those with a unique perspective and something to say. The entry fee is only $15, and the winner receives $500 prize money, 2nd $300 & 3rd $200. All you need to do is download the entry form, fill it in, and send it in with your film. Read the conditions.
The Wollombi Short Film Festival began in 1998, at the McD's barn in Wollombi NSW, as part of the old Wollombi Folk Festival. Jenny McDonough, who was on the Folk Festival committee that year as events co-ordinator, put up her hand to host a Film Festival as part of the festivities. She looked to Claude Aliotti to produce the Film Festival that year, and he has continued his support throughout it's development.
As a founder and the producer of the Short Film Festival, Claude's role has included production, the website, collating entries, pre night video work, including helping some entrants create and edit their video entries, collecting raw footage and preparing the night's presentation, as well as the technical/video presentation on the night, including live film crossovers, credits and playing the entries. Sam Di Natale also has assisted Claude always in any video production for the Film Festival and there have been many Wollombi enthusiasts who have helped every year to make it a grand success.
The Short Film Festival has been hosted in different locations since the first year, including McD's barn, Narone Creek, Yarnteen, the Wollombi Cultural Centre, Horse Heaven Working Gallery and Laguna Hall.
Since 2004, Valley Artists Inc. has produced the Wollombi Short Film Festival, with Claude (now Claudio) from Monterosa Media still there as technical support.
In 2005 Valley Artists Inc. took on the production as part of their annual program and changed the name to Wollombi Valley Short Film Festival It moved to Laguna Hall and was compered by Alan Glover, produced by Janine Oliver, Louise Clarke and stage managed by Rosie Glover. Technical assistance still provided by Claude.
2006 is set to be even bigger & better than previous years with Valley Artists inviting the local schools, both primary and high schools to enter a film. Both categories will be judged and the winners of each section shown on the evening and presented with a trophy.