By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
THE 32nd annual Warburton Film Festival is on again this June, showcasing both Australian and international films.
The festival, which runs for three days, starts on Friday 12 June and will screen nine feature films plus 11 short films produced by local, young and upcoming filmmakers.
Both junior and senior divisions of the ‘show us your shorts’ youth film competition will be screened on Friday afternoon.
The winner of the short film competition will be presented with the ‘Golden Shorts’ reward and a $2000 prize.
Yarra Ranges Film Society president John Bodin said the short films submitted were really impressive.
“The shorts screened on the opening night are of a really high quality, and the makers show enormous potential,” he said.
“It gives great encouragement to any person who is on the threshold of making a transition into a professional industry.”
President of Federation of Victorian Film Societies (FVFS) John Arkins will officially open the festival on Friday night.
The Yarra Valley community, who share an interest in cinema in a social setting, will avail themselves of a variety of diverse films from Australia and overseas on offer over three days.
Special guests director Kasmir Burgess and cinematographer Marden Dean will conduct a Q & A session after their opening night film ‘Fell’.
Mr Bodin said the festival gave a screen to young filmmakers and gave established directors a chance to exhibit films to a new audience.
“We really try to highlight films we think haven’t got the recognition they deserve or may have only had a limited release,” he said.
One film Mr Bodin is really excited about is Australian psychological drama ‘The Babadook.’
“It’s on late, but worth seeing and there are still plenty of tickets available.” he said.
