CAMERAS flashed and jazz filled the air as the red carpet was rolled out to usher in a different kind of movie star last week.<\/p>\n
Commerce Ballarat\u2019s Grampians Business Film Festival celebrated its inaugural debut at the Regent as 11 businessowners from across the region got to see their stories of challenge and resilience projected onto the big screen.<\/p>\n
Each film highlighted the businesses\u2019 pandemic operations and one of the subjects and co-owner of Formosa Gardens Nursery Katie Wright said it was incredible to see their achievements being celebrated.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt takes you back a little bit actually, it feels so long since everyone\u2019s been out and about so to come back to that in this way feels amazing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s quite a few businesses in the program I recognise and some I don\u2019t so it\u2019s good to have a bit of a range and see what everyone\u2019s been doing as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope this inspires other businesses to keep going and that there\u2019s light at the end of the tunnel.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each film went in the running for a judges\u2019 choice awards by a panel that included Federation University\u2019s Sam Henson, managing director of Runway Linda Wong, and Mike Boyle of Sales Shift.<\/p>\n
Attendees were also able vote on their own favourite film.<\/p>\n
Event and outdoor recreation venue venue Cave Hill Creek took home the peoples\u2019 award while Dimboola Imaginarium won the judges\u2019 award, with both businesses receiving cash prizes of $2500.<\/p>\n
Despite the friendly competition, Commerce Ballarat CEO Jodie Gillett said the night was about sharing uplifting stories of triumph.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to focus on some positive messages and these 11 entrepreneurs are doing fantastic things across the Grampians region and it\u2019s something we need to celebrate,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve had a really tough couple years so we want to make them feel special tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CAMERAS flashed and jazz filled the air as the red carpet was rolled out to usher in a different kind of movie star last week. Commerce Ballarat\u2019s Grampians Business Film Festival celebrated its inaugural debut at the Regent as 11 businessowners from across the region got to see their stories of challenge and resilience projected […]<\/p>\n