MORE than $15,000 in cash and prizes is up for grabs in the 2016 Port Shorts Film Festival, showcasing cool short films in the heart of the tropics.

Champion Aussie actor Stephen Curry will once again be joined by Wolf Creek Executive Producer Matt Hearn and Australian Film Industry Award-nominated screenwriter Kier Shorey (Blurred) as ambassadors and judges of the Port Shorts Film Festival, to be held under the stars in Port Douglas on October 28-29.

Steve said the experience of judging and mentoring emerging filmmakers gave him confidence the future of the Australian film industry is in capable hands.

“The quality of storytelling and production served up to us at last year’s festival across all categories, the Young Filmmakers, the locals and the open, was really encouraging,” Steve said.

“I’ve got no doubts some of these filmmakers will be telling me what to do in a few years time.

“If only the Port Shorts MC could lift his game and we could keep the screen inflated we’d have a great film festival.”

Matt said he loved having such hands-on involvement with filmmakers taking part in the free Port Shorts Masterclass workshops from August 18-20 and the Port Shorts Filmmakers Forum on October 29.

“As filmmakers we love to share our war stories and what we’ve all learnt from our varying experiences.,” Matt said.

“A fabulous feature of Port Shorts is the workshops and forum they provide emerging filmmakers to ask the questions they’ve always wanted to ask and gain insights that might help guide their next steps and avoid some of the bumps in the road.

“It’s very rewarding for me personally and I’m really looking forward to seeing where filmmakers take us this year.”

Port Shorts Film Festival Director Alison George encouraged filmmakers to get involved in the 2016 Port Shorts Film Festival.

“There’s some great prizes on offer but more importantly there’s fantastic opportunities for filmmakers to engage with some of the film industry’s finest and watch their film under the stars among hundreds of film lovers,” Ali said.

For all the details on how to enter Port Shorts, go to www.portshorts.com and follow the link to Film Freeway. Filmmakers need to submit their entries by September 30.

The Port Shorts Young Filmmaker Awards will feature the best short films, microdocos and music videos on Friday October 28. The best Local and Open short films from around Australia will entertain audiences at the Port Shorts Film Festival on Saturday October 29.

Check out the Port Shorts website and Facebook page to keep updated about the Port Shorts Masterclass Series and the Port Shorts Film Festival.