Young filmmakers celebrated at the North Bellarine Film Festival

AT JUST 18 years old a Bacchus Marsh filmmaker has won the 2022 Victorian Emerging Filmmaker Award at the North Bellarine Film Festival (NBFF) for his first-ever short film Fixity.

The winner, recent Bacchus Marsh College graduate Jack Sillitoe, has been making YouTube videos since he was 14 and directed the winning film Fixity when he was 17.

Mr Sillitoe said he learnt a lot and enjoyed the whole experience, from developing the story and film to watching it screen at the NBFF and ultimately winning the award.

“Creating a cohesive narrative was one of my primary goals when I made Fixity. This was always in the back of my mind, and I hope it shows on screen. I am very proud of this film and if I were to remake it, I wouldn’t change a thing,” Mr Sillitoe said.

“My main aspiration is to learn from my successes and mistakes and to explore what more I can achieve in film. From this short film I hope to eventually see my dreams of becoming a director of full length, engaging and memorable films come to life.”

The Emerging Filmmaker Award, sponsored by Body Corporate Strata Group, is a jury-selected prize to recognise talented Victorian filmmakers 25 years of age or younger with the winning filmmaker receiving a trophy and $500.

NBFF Festival chair Bill Lussier, festival chair said since the award was established in 2019, said it has been an important way to shine the spotlight on talented young filmmakers.

“There are many exciting young filmmakers just starting out and by recognising their work, we hope to inspire them to continue working to fulfill their dreams,” Mr Lussier said.

For more information on the NBFF and the Emerging Filmmaker Award visit www.northbellarinefilmfestival.org.