Performance - August 2008
Date: 20-Aug-08
Author: Janine Oliver
Wollombi Valley Short Film Festival hits the 10 year mark
The Wollombi Valley short film festival is celebrating 10 years of showcasing the work of Hunter filmmakers. From its humble beginnings in the dance hall and various other locations in the town, the festival has a permanent home at Laguna Hall which is transformed into a charming village cinema reminiscent of a bygone era.
The festival attracts entries from the Hunter region, the states and territories of Australia and every year a handful of international films land on the doorstep, but according to Producer Janine Oliver the main aim is to get local filmmakers to send in their work.
"The hunter region has a rich pool of arts and culture, and with that, great storytellers. We want our people to tell the stories that are important to them, whether it's about living in the most beautiful valley in the world, or about a funny thing that happened on the way to the office."
The Wollombi Valley Short Film Festival is run by locals, and while some of them are film makers, all of them are involved in the arts in some manner. And because it's small and local, the rules don't need to be as strict as some other fests. "Unlike Tropfest and some of the bigger competitions, entry is not limited by requirements like a first screening.
Your film might have been entered into 10 festivals before and that doesn't worry us a bit. So long as its under 10 minutes we'll accept it." commented Oliver.
Entries are being accepted for the 2008 Wollombi Valley Short Film Festival, and with the closing date of 14th September, you still have time to either make a film, finish a film or dig one of your personal favourites out of the archive and send with your entry form and entry fee of $15 C/- Laguna Wine Bar, Great North Road Laguna 2325.
The screening of finalists will be Sat 4th October (yes the long weekend) so check out the local B&B's and make a weekend of it www.wollombi.nsw.au and www.lagunawinebar.com.au
Janine Oliver