Benalla Shorts showcases local talent at eighth annual event

Along with festival director Anna Smith, they had already watched a mountain of submissions to select eight films to be screened at the event.

On the day, winners were selected in several categories.

Ms Vendy was in attendance to announce winners and present certificates.

The Best Short Film prize of $1000 was awarded to Aaron McJames for his film Cocky.

The film is about a pet cockatoo who hatches a plan to end mundane conversations.

Aaron is from Melbourne and as a youngster would visit Benalla during the school holidays.

The Best Short International Film prize of $500 was awarded to Italian film Leggende Rusticane.

It is a tale of secret love, shot in the south of Italy, by Lorenzo Muscoso, who accepted his award with a video message.

The Local Encouragement Award, sponsored by the Benalla Gliding Club with a prize of $250, went to Shepparton film maker Tim Brown for his documentary The Sanctuary.

It was also given the Best Documentary Award, winning another $250.

Mr Brown said it was his dad who told him about the festival.

“It’s always great to hear about awesome local events like this,” Mr Brown said.

"There’s not that many really cool film festivals in regional Victoria.“

The film, which has also screened at film festivals around the world, tells the story of Ray Lewis and his love of the vibrant sea life in Port Phillip Bay.

“Previously, through other projects, we’d come across Ray,” Mr Brown said.

"He is heavily involved with Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary, just near Beaumaris on the western part of Port Phillip Bay.

“He’s got an interesting story in that he was in the Air Force when he was younger, then he was involved in the business world.

“It’s not a classic conservation pathway, but later in life he got really involved in the local area and spent a long time helping to protect Ricketts Point.”

Mr Brown said the film gave Mr Lewis an opportunity to get into the water, something he had not managed for the past two years.

“We filmed an interview with him then got some really nice underwater footage,” he said.

“A lot of people are unaware of how rich the marine life in Port Phillip Bay is, so we showcased that, as well as the efforts of local people to protect the area.”

Co-director Michael Portway accepted the awards, as Mr Brown could not attend due to the shooting schedule for his latest project in Tasmania.

Mr Brown thanked his co-director for not only his efforts on The Sanctuary, but also for being able to attend Benalla Shorts to accept the awards.

“Michael had a great time,” Mr Brown said.

“My aunt and uncle were also able to attend. They really enjoyed it. Thank you to festival director Anna Smith for putting on such a great event.”

The Best Student Film award of $250, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Benalla, went to Yael Green for her delightful film about a man going on a blind date.

Ms Green is from Tasmania and could not attend but submitted a lovely video message.

The Best Performance award of $100, sponsored by the Bendigo Bank, went to Diana Greentree for her memorable performance as a grandmother in Cocky. Diana was thrilled to accept her award from Bali.

And the most important award for the evening, the $250 People’s Choice voted by the viewing public, went to Michael Raso for his film My Gift.

It is a touching film about a young boy needing lifesaving treatment.

The People’s Choice award is sponsored by De Fazio Concreting and Paving.

Mr Raso had previously taken out the Best Film award in 2017 for Solitude.

It took him all the way to the Cannes Film Festival and was selected to be housed in the National Archives of Australia in Canberra.

The Benalla Shorts team would like to thank everyone involved, including its wonderful volunteers and sponsors, Vicscreen (formally Film Victoria) and Benalla Rural City.