The finalists of this year’s YOOFTube competition have been officially selected by the panel of judges to have their work screened at the awards ceremony next month.
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YOOFtube is a short film competition for filmmakers aged 12 to 20 in the Eurobodalla, Snowy Monaro and Bega Valley Shires. All film entries have to be under seven minutes.
Competition coordinator, Kate Howarth from South East Arts congratulated everyone who entered their work.
"All the films this year were of a very high standard, the judging panel had some difficult decisions to make," she said.
Ms Howarth was particularly impressed with the variety submitted by the entrants.
"It was terrific to see a foreign language film entered this year, as well as a number of animated works. The talent of these young filmmakers is amazing,” she said.
Ms Howarth said the competition was a great way to see the development of returning filmmakers, and uncover new local talent entering for the first time.
Sasha Chadwick is a first time YOOFTube entrant who made it to this year’s finals.
“When I got the email last night I couldn’t believe it,” she said.
“I did work hard on my film, but I didn’t expect to actually be a finalist the first time I entered the competition.”
Ms Chadwick’s film, Untitled Art, is an interpretive piece she put together with Fling dancers.
Aside from being her first film, it’s also Ms Chadwick’s first attempt at sound production.
“I made all of the music from scratch using Garageband,” she said.
“I just figured it out as I went along, I was experimenting for myself really.”
She said she is thrilled her work has been selected, but also nervous it will be screened to an audience.
YOOFTube 2017 Finalists
REM by Chloe Bobbin, age 17, Narooma
Aussie Cooking with Gavin by Lucca Yi, age 12, Bega
When We're Not Watching by Ruby Bichard, age 13, Pambula
Chickenzilla: King of Beasts by Sam Bath, age 13, Catalina
Le Cauchemar by Isaac Mackay, age 18, South Durras
Lost by Llew Badger, age 13, Bega
Captain Skipper's Tale by Thomas Gardner and Vincent Edwards, age 14, Tuross Head
Tomorrow by David Perry, age 15, Bega
Serum by Lucca Paijmans, age 20, Tathra
They Call Her Little Pip by Findlay Walker, age 15, Bega
Untitled Art by Sasha Chadwick, age 16, Tura Beach
Ms Howarth was joined on the judging panel by Bega Valley Shire Council Programs and Partnerships Officer, Scott Baker ABC Open producer and filmmaker Vanessa Milton, international filmmaker Hiromi Mastsuoka and Australian actor Patrick Dickson.
Mr Dickson was on the panel for the second time, and said he enjoyed watching the filmmakers develop.
“It’s amazing to see what these kids come up with,” he said.
“Some of it’s serious, some is satire, other stuff is just crazy, there’s a fantastic spectrum of work.”
Mr Dickson said the young filmmakers were supported by the impressive number of people with film experience in the region who were standing by to help out new talent.
As an actor, he saw a lot of promise and on-camera confidence throughout the films, providing a few contenders for the Best Actor Award, which includes one week at the National Institute of Dramatic Art.
“An opportunity like that is fantastic for these kids, to get into the big city and be among others who share their passion.”
There are 12 other awards to be won, including the JD Shaw $1000 Best Film Award.
The shortlisted films will be shown at free screenings the The Picture Show Man Cinema in Merimbula and the Narooma Kinema on Monday 4 September. YOOFTube is presented by South East Arts.
