Media release from Limelight PR
After a sensational six days, the St Kilda Film Festival came to a close last night with their annual awards ceremony hosted by Shane Jacobson.
“We’ve had a packed house at the Palais for Opening Night, 26 sessions of films, four industry forums, a jam packed Industry Open Day, international, interstate and local guests and all that was capped off by the tremendous awards night where 22 people walked away with awards”, said Festival Director Paul Harris.
Produced and presented by the City of Port Phillip, the Festival was host to the Top 100 Australian short films – all of which screened at the Palace George Cinemas as part of the St Kilda Film Festival Australian Short Film Competition. Last night, at the St Kilda Town Hall over $40,000 worth of awards were be given out, including the richest cash prize in Australian short film – $10,000 for Best Film.
Best Short Film Award went to Tomorrow, directed by Simon Portus and produced by David Curzon for their compelling short about a the meeting of a teenager from a small country town and a businesswoman on her way to Brisbane. Simon Portus also picked up the Best Director gong for the film, but the accolades didn’t stop there – lead actress, Laura Davies walked away with the Best Actor award.
Best Achievement in Indigenous Filmmaking went to the emotional family drama Bourke Boy, directed by Adrian Wills, produced by Kath Shelper and Anusha Duray; while Best Documentary was awarded to Little Ripper, directed by Craig Boord, produced by Craig Boord & Jarrod Boord – the film looks at the lives of dedicated and highly competitive pigeon fanciers.
Best Comedy went to Abe Forsythe for his film Shock – the film is Abe’s fourth short film and his second year in a row of winning this category at the St Kilda Film Festival. Best Animation was awarded to the stylised Ink, directed and animated by Justine Wallace.
A number of these prize winners and festival favourites will embark on a national tour from 13 July. The St Kilda Film Festival National Tour will see a program of 17 shorts visit over 30 locations including all capital cities and a number of regional destinations in each state.
For further information, visit www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au