Young filmmakers in focus

By Tania Martin
BELGRAVE will become the toast of the film industry in February.
The second annual Blue Dandenongs Young Film Festival (BDYFF) will draw directors from around the globe.
The 2007 festival has bigger prizes and more films and this year has received entries from all over the world.
In its inaugural year the festival received entries from across Australia and New Zealand.
This year the festival has attracted films from South Korea, Canada, USA, United Kingdom, Denmark, Croatia, New Zealand and across Australia.
Trevor Matthews, festival creative director, said the BDYFF was fast becoming one of the few truly international youth film festivals in the world.
He said after advertising the festival on the Internet worldwide, there was an influx of overseas entries.
“Last year we only had 50 entries, but this year we had more than 100,” he said.
“It was really hard to choose the finalist because there were so many diverse and different films.”
Mr Matthews said one out of five entries were chosen as finalist to be screened at the festival.
He said the film content was excellent this year and that it was also good to see some local budding directors making the cut.
Sarah Barnard of Upwey is one of the few lucky locals to make it as a finalist with her film ‘Empty Addictions’.
The film is based on the human behavioural reaction to emotional turmoil or chaos.
It is a story of a young girl struggling to deal with her issues and emotions and how she uses an addiction to avoid confronting such issues. The film has been made as a music film clip to The Skemos song ‘Empty’.
Mr Matthews said the festival focused on artistic excellence and innovative story telling.
He said the festival gave the best young film makers aged 26 and under the chance to be recognised for their talent.
This year’s festival will be held at Cameo Cinemas in Belgrave, nestled in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges.
Film buffs can see the screening of the finalists’ films at Cameo’s outdoor cinema that features state-of-the-art projection facilities and individual digital headphones for each audience member.
The screening program will be held over two sessions on Friday, 16 and Saturday, 17 February from 8.30pm.
A series of film workshops will also be held at the Burrinja Gallery in Upwey on Saturday and Sunday.
The winners of best film, best director, best screenplay, best local film, most daring director and the audience awards will be presented on Saturday night at 10pm.
Prizes range from $1000 to a crate of Red Bull. Tickets cost $16 for adults and $12.50 for concession cardholders. To book a ticket or to find out more about the festival phone 9754 8723.