Filmmaking award promotes young talent

THE North Bellarine Film Festival is supporting the next generation of filmmakers with an award that promotes young talent.

The inaugural Emerging Victorian Filmmaker Award will be presented at the festival’s opening night later this year on November 15.

The award-winning film will be selected by a jury and screened at the opening.

The award has been created in partnership with the Portarlington Film Society that has donated funds for a cash prize as part of the award.

Entrants must be 25 years old or under at the time of submitting their film and currently living in Victoria or have previously resided in the state.

Bill Lussier, a member of the festival committee, is co-ordinating the competition.

“When the festival created this award, it wanted to give young filmmakers in this region a platform to show their work, but at the same time it also wanted to expand the field to give other young people that same opportunity,” Mr Lussier said.

“It’s a great chance for emerging filmmakers to have their film seen by a jury and screened at the festival if they win.

“We are accepting all genres of short film.’ Entries for films up to 15 minutes in length close on August 31.

Submissions for short films are now open. For more information and entry forms, head to northbellarinefilmfestival.org.