A local Benalla group has been nominated for the 2024 Victoria Community Achievement Awards.
Anna Smith and the group of volunteers behind the Benalla Short Film Festival have been nominated in the Awards Australia Community Group Award category.
The not-for-profit group, of which Ms Smith is the head, showcases and uplifts film-makers from Victoria, Australia and all around the world.
One of the festival’s early winners, Michael Raso, went on to win 16 awards, and flew to France with the prize money, where he found himself at the Cannes Film Festival, viewing his own film Solitude on the big screen.
Over the years, many film and TV stars have helped out as judges, including Krista Vendy and David Forster, but it’s the local faces who do the heavy lifting that are now getting their moment in the limelight.
The festival has been running for over 10 years, starting off as a humble platform for regional Victorian filmmakers to enter their own short film to be viewed and judged.
From there, the festival grew to unforeseen heights, expanding online to include international entrants and judges.
In its time, the festival has helped boost many filmmakers’ careers, exposing their talents and helping them get a foot up in the competitive industry.
“Our ultimate goal is that one day, one of our film-makers will be the next Baz Luhrmann or Peter Weir,” Ms Smith said.
“It would be a come true, that we were able to assist someone in their career in the film industry.”
Despite hardship, including restrictions during COVID-19 pushing the festival online, and a lack of funding, the festival is still going strong — a testament to the group’s hard work and dedication.
The festival organisers are thankful to receive support from local businesses, the community and through grants.
“We are very proud of the work we do with the limited funds we receive, and we can only thrive thanks to our hardworking, dedicated, wonderful volunteers and community support,” Ms Smith said.
The competition will be judged in October, and winners will be announced on Friday, December 13 at a special Community Achievement Awards gala presentation dinner.