Silver screen event takes gold

BALLARAT’S own celebration of short movies, the Poco Film Festival, was in the spotlight in Sydney last month.

Creative studio, Mass Motion, was named Arts Category winner at the 2023 Innovate with nbn Grant Program Awards for using the broadband network to develop and organise the regional event.

The festival is the newest of its kind outside Melbourne, and the inaugural sold-out evening screening took place in July last year with an aim to foster a sense of community amongst film lovers and makers, and to inspire them.

“Each year, the calibre of the ideas that are presented to us, some already developed, others needing added support, continues to improve,” said nbn chief development officer regional and remote, Gavin Williams.

“We’ve seen plenty of innovative ideas bursting out of the regions again this year.

“Our purpose is to lift the digital capability of Australia. All of the finalists and grant winners couldn’t do what they are doing without connectivity.

“Innovate with nbn Grants Program recipients are making real differences to the lives of those who live in their communities.

“It’s through their work we continue to see regional and remote Australia not only bridge the gap, but thrive.”

The awards are run in partnership with the Regional Australia Institute, and CEO Liz Ritchie said Mass Motion were amongst a “diverse, creative and groundbreaking” group of finalists.

“These awards demonstrate with the right support and tools, regional entrepreneurs can compete on a national, and even global stage,” she said.

“NBN Co and RAI have an enduring partnership based advancing our shared objective to empower regions to thrive.

“The Innovate program does exactly that, by celebrating what can be achieved when harnessing the power of connectivity and digital technology.”