Lights, camera, action for annual event

FILMS will be projected onto the big screen when the North Bellarine Film Festival returns to Parks Hall next week.

Running from November 14 to 15, the annual event supports young filmmakers to share their talent with the world.

The festival will kick off next Friday with a special screening of Salty Bitches, inspired by the beloved swimming group, and feature film The Wedding Banquet.

Saturday’s program will then feature a selection of Australian and international short films, before this year’s winners of the emerging filmmaker, emerging documentary filmmaker and the people’s choice awards are announced.

“Having the young filmmakers here on Saturday night, that’s probably the most important thing,” committee vice-president Rob Walton said of the event.

“There are three paths to this festival and they’re all equally important in terms of bringing people along who maybe just like the feature films, some like short films and we’re offering an opportunity for people with different taste to go see different things.”

The young filmmakers are all under the age of 25 and bring a high level of skill to the event.

Those on display will feature a range of different themes, with Mr Walton saying he thinks most people will be extremely surprised by the quality of films young people are producing.

The North Bellarine Film Festival is a not-for-profit organisation working to support young filmmakers, which is the core value of the festival.

“We give the opportunity for young filmmakers to show their film on a big screen with an audience, and we do award them,” Mr Walton said.

“It’s not easy for them and we are just giving them a platform to showcase their films and we’re really hopeful that people understand and support them.”

Along with awards for the films, people are also encouraged to dress to impress for the occasion with a $200 dining voucher at Scotchmans Hill up for grabs.

For more information, head to northbellarinefilmfestival.org