Douglas Shire Council calls action on the Port Shorts Festival
EVENTS
It is regarded as the coolest film festival in the heart of the tropics and the Port Shorts Film Festival received a handsome three-year cash injection which will further enhance its presence both here and outside the shire.
In a Mayoral Minute at Tuesday's open session in Council Chambers, Major Julia Leu announced that Douglas Shire Council has approved annual funding of $15,000 and $5,000 worth of in-kind support for the next three years.
The 2019 event will be held in Port Douglas at Rex Smeal Park on 25 and 26 October.
The Port Shorts Film Festival has been an iconic international film festival event for 20 years that highlights local and regional short films and incorporates classes for upcoming filmmakers in the area. It also features cash and prizes across various filmmakers’ awards.
Mayor Leu said a full events calendar helped stimulate the economy.
“Last year, more than 600 film enthusiasts grabbed their camp chairs and packed into Rex Smeal Park.
“What we love about Port Shorts is it celebrates our local film makers, educates aspiring talent and highlights Douglas Shire as a fantastic place to film a movie,” she said.
With a prize pool worth more than $15,000, the Port Shorts Film Festival shines the spotlight on the imagination of Australia’s most creative minds, with a support network geared to stimulate the next generation of filmmakers.
Acclaimed Australian actor Stephen Curry, Wolf Creek and Rogue Executive Producer Matt Hearn and Australian Film Industry Awards nominated screenwriter Kier Shorey (Blurred) will be with emerging filmmakers every step of the journey as official ambassadors, mentors and judges of the Port Shorts Film Festival.
Port Shorts organisers will also conduct workshops for youth and adult filmmakers of all experience to provide them with the tools to produce quality short films, documentaries and music videos in the months leading up to the film festival.
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