Students’ short films tackle big issues

The winners were announced today, based on the adjudication of an independent judge, professional filmmaker David Swann. There are also popular choice awards.

They were selected from 23 films shown in the festival and open to students in all school sectors. The finalists were selected from a total of almost 80 entries.

The three contrasting winners in the Year 12 category addressed questions of personal identity, the Holocaust and a humorous take on the dynamics of secondary school students. They are:

• Contaminated You, directed by Renee Hang of Huntingtower School, which won the technical award
• Leap Year, by Kaja Clayton, also of Huntingtower, winner of the creative award; and
• Shoah, the people’s choice award, by Annie Scacco of Firbank Grammar School.

Mr Swann said Contaminated You ‘is a wonderful example of how film can be used to explore a philosophical question through the combination of voice over and montage’. He commended the film for the range of technical devices, the choice of shots and its editing to address the theme of personal identity.

Leap Year, a ‘mockumentary’ about a 55-year-old-man trapped in the character of a 14-year-old boy, is a parody of teenage behaviour. Mr Swann highlighted its brilliant casting and quality production.

Shoah is a powerful documentary featuring Holocaust survivor Harry Better who tells his remarkable story direct to camera.

An additional 10 films were winners in three other aged-related categories.

In congratulating the winners, ISV Chief Executive Michelle Green said the finalists had displayed skill and creativity in the techniques they used and the themes they addressed.

‘All of the finalists show ambition, maturity and great individuality in the way they have produced their engaging films,’ she said.

The film festival, presented online this year due to COVID-19, is held under the auspices of ISV’s Arts Learning Festival.