Twenty of the best short films made by young regional Australian filmmakers will screen at The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre next week.
The screening will be held to celebrate Youth Week, as part of the Nextwave Youth Week Film Festival.
A program of Coffs Harbour’s Screenwave International Film Festival, the Nextwave regional youth film program is Australia’s largest regional youth short film competition open to all young creators aged from 10 to 25, living outside of a metropolitan area.
Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre Coordinator Talie Teakle said each year young filmmakers submitted creative short films ranging from comedies, dramas, thrillers and personal essays. “With more than $40,000 in prizes up for grabs each year, Nextwave recognises acting, editing, cinematography and everything else that helps to build an amazing short film,” she said.
“In 2020, the sixth year of the competition, filmmakers expressed their creativity throughout changing restrictions in response to COVID-19, to make unique short films. “Come along and see the 23 finalists and winners on the big screen as part of Youth Week and support the next wave of young regional filmmakers.
“As part of the festival film screening we will be announcing the theme for the 2021 competition and giving out information on how to be involved.”
The Riddoch will also deliver a series of workshops and tips for youth throughout the competition to help develop their film making skills, as part of the in-house media studio programming.
Riddoch Art Gallery Director Dr Melentie Pandilovski welcomed the initiative and hopes to see it become a staple on the centre’s annual program.
“I am sure that it will increase interest in youth film and also boost youth film production in the Limestone Coast which will assist with growing the bi-annual International Limestone Coast Video Art Festival,” Dr Pandilovski said.
The screening will be held on Thursday, May 6 from 6:30pm. Entry is free and anyone wishing to attend can secure a seat by emailing riddoch@mountgambier.sa.gov.au or via phone on 8721 2563.
Visit www.theriddoch.com.au for more information about the Nextwave Youth Week screening.
