In Cannes’ footsteps- Joseph Guthrie counts the votes for the film The Interview with Brett Powell looking on.

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
WARBURTON is one step away from Cannes for up and coming filmmakers, according to the Australian film industry.
The Warburton Film Festival showed a variety of Australian and international films over the weekend.
The three-day event saw the likes of producer Bill Hughes, director Nadia Tass and cinematographer David Parker discussing their films with the audiences.
Victorian College of the Arts School of Film and Television head David Price officially opened the festival on Friday night, likening it to international film festivals in Melbourne and Cannes.
“It’s festivals like yours that give a voice to filmmakers and give encouragement to potential filmmakers,” he said.
Producer Bill Hughes reiterated these festivals were a support to the industry.
“We want people to go to see Australian films and enjoy what they see…people then start talking about it,” he said.
He said seeing film on the big screen was an extraordinary experience.
“I have not seen the film (The Interview) on the big screen since 1998 and it’s just wonderful to see it in that setting again,” he said.
“People here have been very friendly and supportive.
“I came up last night for the festival and it has been sensational.”
Yarra Ranges Film Society president Joseph Guthrie said it was a wonderful weekend, and the audiences were impressed with the selection of movies, according to the society’s star rating system.
“We had quite a few people who saw all the movies, but a lot of people just came off the street, rocked in and watched a film,” he said.
Ryan van Dijk said it was such great encouragement to be featured in the festival as part of the short film competition.
“We get so few chances to get feedback, and it’s inspiring to get that,” he said.
The 25-year-old won the Golden Shorts award for the best short film of the festival, and said he would love to use locations around Warburton for his next film.