Time to get creative for Understory
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ENTRIES for the seventh instalment of Cairns Regional Council’s Understory Film Festival are now open.
As government restrictions ease, filmmakers are encouraged to get out and get creative.
Aspiring, emerging and professional filmmakers in Far North Queensland have until October to submit their films for the chance to have their film shown on the big screen and to be in the running to receive awards and recognition.
“With all the downtime we have had recently I am sure many great ideas have emerged for scripts and screenplays,” Councillor Kristy Vallely said.
“During the COVID-19 restrictions, the creative minds of the Cairns community never stopped, we look forward to the stories and films that have emerged from this time.”
In 2019, the Understory Film Festival received a record 73 film submissions from filmmakers all over the Far North, showing a particularly marked increase in both first time and student submissions.
Two of the region’s most celebrated filmmakers took out the top awards at the 2019 Understory Film Festival, with Adrian Rayner scooping the top gong, Best Film award, for his sci-fi thriller, Sanctuary.
Acclaimed Far North filmmaker and director Travis Bain won the Best Screenplay award for Zombies v C.W.A, with the comedy short also picking up the People’s Choice award as voted by the audience on the night.
Applications for the 2020 awards close at 4pm on 6 October and Thursday 1 October for entries in the High School Student category. The duration of films must be eight minutes or less, including credits.
Entry is free, and films, under 8 minutes in duration, are being accepted from residents of Townsville to Cairns, across Cape York, and the Torres Strait.
The screening and awards night is currently scheduled for 7 November, more details will be released closer to the date.
For more information on Understory Film Festival, including how to enter, visit https://www.cairns.qld.gov.au/facilities-sport-leisure/arts-culture/understory-film-festival.
Entrants are reminded to follow all Government regulations and advice in relation to COVID-19 during the production of your films.