Now in its twelfth year, the New England Mutual North West Film Festival provides people living in rural NSW with the unique opportunity to showcase their films, work with industry professionals and participate in a unique cultural event.
Entries are now being accepted for the 2015 festival and all members of the community are encouraged to enter.
“The festival is open to anyone who has an interest in filmmaking,’ said Georgia Standerwick, Economic Development Officer with Gwydir Shire Council.
“We are encouraging people of all ages to enter, even if you have never made a film, now is the time to give it a go.”
Film making has become easier than ever with a wide range of apps and software available to help amateurs make films like a professional.
“If you need some help or inspiration there is a “how to make a film” video on the festival website, which has some great hints and tips on how to put together a film.’ said Georgia.
The festival categories for this year’s festival include ‘Tell us something…fictional’ this includes narratives, send-ups of TV shows and mockumentaries; this category is really open to your imagination.
‘Tell us something factual’ includes documentaries that might make the judges sit up and think, training videos, videos of the match winning goal, the school’s big musical number, vocational education films, subject specific films or video digital portfolios.
“Community groups are encouraged to enter this category as it can be a great way to get their message out while creating a valuable promotional tool.”said Georgia.
Finally ‘Dream it, dance it, do it’ covers all videos not fitting into the other categories including music videos, animation or experimental films. There are three age groups for each category – Primary, Secondary and TAFE/Community, with $200 on offer for the winning film in each category and $1,000 for the overall winner.
The New England Mutual North West Film Festival was established in 2004 with the support of the Department of Education and Training, New England Institute of TAFE and the Gwydir Shire Council. Now in its eleventh year, the festival continues to deliver a unique experience for young film makers in the region. The festival invites a range of industry professionals to provide hands-on skills and expertise for young people through a series of screenings and workshops. The community is also invited to participate, and equally benefits from the involvement of industry professionals through panel discussions and Q and A sessions.
The NWFF is an initiative of The Gwydir Learning Region and evolved from the desire of two Year 10 students from Warialda High School who wanted to pursue film as an HSC subject. At that time, no film subjects were offered at the school or at any of the neighbouring schools or TAFEs in the region. Warialda High School became the first school outside Sydney TAFE to offer film subjects in the region, serving as the catalyst for the introduction of high quality film courses across the region.
The Gwydir Learning Region is a partnership between local schools, TAFE, Adult and Community Education, the Gwydir Shire Council, health services, local businesses and local community groups. The festival provides a wonderful example of an initiative where not only student learning is enhanced; the entire community gains from an event that enriches and strengthens it for the future.
In 2008 the festival expanded to provide students and members of the general public greater access to special guests and provide these guests with the opportunity to view their work. This was undertaken with the aim of making the event more engaging and accessible to members of the wider community.
The festival Awards Night will take place on Friday, September 4 at the Roxy Theatre, Bingara.
For more information on the festival or to enter a film visit please visit www.northwestfilmfestival.roxybingara.com.au/ or call the Bingara Visitor Information Centre on 02 6724 0066
