Master Animation Auteur Yoram Gross to Judge Canberra Short Film Festival

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Press Release from CSFF

20 Jun. 11 – The creator of classics Blinky Bill and Dot and the Kangaroo will judge the final section as part of a three member panel. Cash prizes (up to $1,500 each) will be awarded in four categories: National Schools, Grass – Roots, Emerging and Practising.

 

 

The man who brought quintessential Australian characters to the screen, such as Blinky Bill, is proud to be part of the festival that uniquely supports the local film industry. Each submission must be an Australian film only.    

So far 150 entries have been received, with the top three films from each category to be screened on the closing night – September 18.

Alumni filmmakers have gone on to reach dizzying heights. Miracle Fish, in the official selection of the festival two years ago, won several international awards and an Academy Award nomination.

A sample of Gross’ animated short series: Professor Filutek - 'Dentist' and 'Zoo' will be screened on the closing night. He has created over a dozen feature films and internationally-screened children’s television series, with environmental and anti-war messages, including The Little Convict [1], Joseph the Dreamer [2], Old Tom [3], short film titled Why? and Sarah and the Seventh Match [4] about his childhood friend he lost in the Holocaust, which starred Mia Farrow.

In 1995 he was awarded the prestigious Order of Australia [5] for his outstanding achievements and contribution to the Australian film industry. He has recently released his memoir My Animated Life [6]. Gross’ life story spans three continents: Poland during World War II; his award-winning film-making career in Israel; and becoming Australia’s iconic filmmaker. 

The16th annual film festival will screen at Dendy Cinemas over three nights during Canberra’s Floriade [7] (Australia's celebration of spring) from September 16 to18.

If you are a budding filmmaker, school student or screen content professional, it’s not too late to enter as long as your film is Australian, less than 15 minutes duration and completed in the past 12 months. Entries are open till June 25, enter here: www.withoutabox.com/login/5428 [8].

Anna Koprowska, CSFF Director, brings experience from organising film festivals and workshops across Eastern Europe. “Short film is a demanding format as it must capture the essence of a great feature film such as plot, characters and cinematography within strict time parameters,” she said.

“Short film makers must distil their vision to its most pared down form to ensure that their message is carried. I believe CSFF is a great forum to introduce Australian audiences to this most challenging medium.”

The final two judges are to be announced, watch this space: www.csff.com.au [9].

About the Canberra Short Film Festival.

The Canberra Short Film Festival started in 1996 to screen Australian short films as an enjoyable addition to the Canberra International Film Festival.

The overwhelming popularity of the festival inspired organisers to hold the first solo Canberra Short Film Festival in 1999 with two separate competitions – the National Short Film competition and the Young Canberra Filmmaker's competition.

Since then the festival has grown exponentially, with over 200 short films and music videos being submitted in 2006. 2008 saw a new beginning, as local film production house SilverSun Pictures took over responsibility for co-ordinating the event. This year's 16th Canberra Short Film Festival is under the direction of Anna Koprowska.

Please check out the 2010 site to view last year’s winners.

For more information: Yoram Gross Film Studios [10], www.csff.com.au [9] and My Animated Life Facebook Page [11]