Kane, Tripp take top NBFF honours

FILM-MAKERS Jeanie Kane and Emma Tripp took top honours at this year’s North Bellarine Film Festival (NBFF) Emerging Filmmaker Awards.

The ceremony, which took place earlier this month at Portarlington’s Parks Hall, saw Kane presented with the festival’s Emerging Filmmaker Award for her film Big Johnny, while Tripp received the Emerging Documentary Award for her film Stripped: The Power of Lingerie.

The winners were chosen from a competitive field of finalists who demonstrated excellence, talent and commitment to their craft. Jeanie’s film was also selected by the audience to receive the People’s Choice Award.

Kane, along with Big Johnny’s producer, Sarah Pierce, are graduates of Swinburne University’s film and television program.

Big Johnny tells the story of a lonely warehouse worker who, after an unexpected encounter with Melbourne’s vibrant drag scene, finds the courage to embrace his true self when traditional male expectations threaten to hold him back.

Tripp, along with Stripped: The Power of Lingerie’s producer Kasey Woolley, are students in Swinburne’s film and television program. Stripped explores the world of lingerie, highlighting its practicality and power as a tool for self-expression, exploring femininity, identity and comfort.

NBFF director Bill Lussier said the festival was committed to fostering emerging filmmaking talent and last year increased the number of awards from two to three to provide more recognition, support and pathways for talented new filmmakers to have their work recognised.

“The festival committee is continually impressed by the submissions it receives from young filmmakers and the quality of their storytelling and work.

“These filmmakers are the future of Australian television and film, and their work should be celebrated,

“We congratulate Jeanie and Emma on their achievements and look forward to seeing where their careers take them.”

For more information see northbellarinefilmfestival.org.