Festival’s focus on film makers

By Tania Martin
BELGRAVE South teenager Jamie Snyder has taken his first step towards building a career in film making after his two-minute silent film was short listed for next week’s Blue Dandenongs Youth Film Festival (BDYFF).
Jamie said he co-produced the film last year with a couple of fellow media studies students at Billanook College.
The film called With a Phone Call is a two-minute black-and-white abstract silent thriller.
Jamie, along with Jarred Kettle and Jimmy Bedson, made the film last year as a part of their year 11 media studies.
He said that the film festival was a good opportunity to see what other young film makers are doing and to be able to critique each other’s work.
Jamie has also helped with making a promotional video for the festival and has had a sneak preview of some of the films that will be highlighted at the event.
The festival will be held over three days from Friday, 17 to Sunday, 19 February, with the screening program of the festival being held over three evening sessions on those days.
The BDYFF will launch its opening night gala at the Belgrave Outdoor Cameo Cinemas at 1628 Burwood Highway, Belgrave.
BDYFF director Trevor Matthews said festival organisers had been impressed with the number of entries from across Australia and New Zealand in every style and genre imaginable.
Mr Matthews said the BDYFF was unlike any other youth film festival in existence. He said it focused on artistic excellence and an innovative and diverse program.
He said the festival would provide a nopportunity for the best film makers aged 26 and under to be recognised for their talent and to gather a rare chance to network with their peers.
“The festival aims to raise community awareness of short films as an explorative art form for young film makers and to promote their work in a professional environment,” Mr Matthews said.
Mr Matthews said there would be four main prizes at the festival including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and the Audience Award.
He said all entries that had been received have been watched and short listed by the festival directors and a panel of judges will now assess all the short-listed films for each prize category.
The festival starts on Friday, 17 February and runs until Sunday, 19 February with screenings starting at sundown.