Local talent takes to the silver screen

Central Highlands residents are invited to attend the premiere of five locally produced short films bringing to life moments of history filmed on-site at Capella’s Pioneer Village Museum.

Local history buff and Central Highlands Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (CHACAC) Member, Maureen Burns, said these short films are important for sharing our history with new audiences.

‘Showing moments of our past through different mediums helps to engage our community and visitors to understand and learn about events that have shaped our region,’ Burns said.

‘I personally am looking forward to seeing these stories play out on the big screen,’ she said.

Crafted by local writers, actors and filmmakers, these short films, each approximately 10 minutes in length, are the work of local creatives who attended recent Framing History: Filmmaking Workshops.

These were run in the Central Highlands throughout May and June by Arts Central Queensland Inc and Blue Eagle Productions.

One of the many local talents showcased in these films, Joe Bridgeman, said the production process was a family affair with his nephew, niece, and wife all taking part.

‘After years working with the Capella Amature Theatre Company and on other short films this opportunity to bring our history to life was something I couldn’t miss out on,’ Bridgeman said.

‘To write this story I took inspiration from my ride over the “Western Star” whilst mustering on Boomerang Capella in 1980.’

‘It became a bit of a family affair with my wife helping out as a costume designer and my nephew Samuel scoring the lead in one of the short films 14 Miles to Capella,’ he said.

These workshops were one of councils 2020-2021 Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) projects.

With the latest RADF round now open for 2021-2022, Central Highlands Regional Council Councillor and chair of local arts and culture advisory committee, Gai Sypher, is encouraging creatives from across the region to propose a project or event for funding.

‘These short films are an excellent example of the potential arts and culture workshops and events we can bring into the region using RADF funding,’ Sypher said.

‘I am anticipating more events and projects to help continue to grow Central Highlands arts and culture landscape over the next 12-months,’ she said.

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Central Highlands Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.