WINNERS of the Koorie Youth Flick Fest were announced in Bendigo last Saturday as part of the opening of the Central Victorian Indigenous Film Festival.<\/p>\n
Two groups took home prizes, with The Proud Story <\/em>by Ngatatji Bysouth, Dontae Bysouth and Tylajae Charvat, and Two Sides<\/em> by Kobe McCaig and Montana Moore receiving nods.<\/p>\n The winners each received $1000 in prize money and their films will be played at Federation Square as part of NAIDOC week in July.<\/p>\n Event organiser and City of Greater Bendigo inclusive community manager Fiona Machin said the competition continues to grow with more schools getting involved this year.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s the most entries we\u2019ve had,\u201d she said. \u201cI think it’s a really great sign that it’s just continuing to grow and become even more popular.<\/p>\n \u201cGetting the schools on board as well has really helped and it’s always such a thrill to see the response of the young people to seeing their film up there.\u201d<\/p>\n The quality of the films was so good an honourable mention category had to be created to recognise those who just missed out on major prizes.<\/p>\n \u201cThe judges loved how the kids responded to themes on country and the creativity of their films,\u201d Ms Machin said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year we had honourable mentions because we really wanted to support what was a great year of films.\u201d<\/p>\n Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island program coordinator at Bendigo Senior Secondary College Susan Pickles was there to see her student\u2019s films on the big screen.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a real joy and I even, I got a lump in my throat watching it,\u201d she said. \u201cSeeing these kids and their pride in their culture was great.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was amazing seeing them speak publicly and being recognised for who they are and what they’re growing into with their identity as young people and their culture.\u201d<\/p>\n Ms Pickles said the boost the event gives the students who entered was positive.<\/p>\n \u201cThe opportunity to put that on a platform is just great for their self-confidence,\u201d she said. \u201cIt just throws them way ahead and it\u2019s pretty exciting to see that it’s going to be played at Fed Square now.\u201d<\/p>\n