Film reflects lockdown experience

CREATIVE minds across the Golden Plains Shire have collaborated to create a short artistic film expressing the region’s experience of COVID-19 and social isolation.

Coming together in part due to a grant from the Australian Government, five-minute video, Zoom Me A River, is a creative response to 2020’s pandemic lockdown utilising the talents of many within the Shire.

Artists and groups involved in the project included the Golden Pens Writers Group who created the script, Linton Play Readers Group who voiced it, musicians from Bannockburn, Teesdale, Lethbridge and Napoleons, and a variety of artists from around the region who created the visual artworks featured in the production.

After viewing the short film, Golden Plains Shire mayor Cr Helena Kirby congratulated all artists involved in creating it.

“The COVID-19 lockdowns earlier this year presented many challenges and required community members to find new ways to connect with one another,” she said.

“The Zoom Me A River project has captured this and the year that was for the Golden Plains Shire community in a truly unique way.

“The project brought together not only a mix of visual, instrumental, written and vocal artists, but also individuals and groups from every corner of the Shire.”

In addition to the various creative minds who assisted the film, the final product was animated and completed by Castlemaine film maker Leonie Van Eyk who workshopped with artists over Zoom.

In September the Shire secured a $5,000 grant to boost the creative project for the region from the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, which is administered by Regional Arts Victoria.

“It is a remarkable piece of work given that it was all developed and put together virtually, which really does capture the 2020 experience,” Cr Kirby said.

“While facilitated by council, the project would not have been possible without the funding support from the Federal Government.

“Thank you to the Government’s Regional Arts Fund for recognising the potential of this unique project and supporting council bring the Shire’s artistic groups together.”

Watch Zoom Me A River online at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/arts, or at the official screening at the Golden Plains Community Awards 2020 presentation on 26 January.