Filmmakers have got the key information to start production on their 2025 Blue Heeler Film Festival entries – the theme.
Last week it was announced that ‘nurture’ would be the element that needs to be incorporated into all eligible films.
“It’s difficult every year to come up with a theme, something that’s challenging at the same time as being in line with what the festival is about,” Stephen Wright, tourism and events coordinator for Muswellbrook Shire Council shared.
“I think nurture is a perfect theme for this year, because we’re trying to seek to nurture local talent. It is a national competition, and we do have small pool of local filmmakers and we’re really trying to nurture and encourage them to continue to enter the competition.”
Since opening-up to allow for national entries to vie for the prizemoney, sponsored by Bengalla, organisers have noted a considerable decrease in local entries.
Two years ago, they added a Best Local Film award and this year they have stepped up the incentives for locals.
“This year we’re going to be putting on the table a $1,000 Harvey Norman voucher to help support equipment or resources,” Stephen said.
“A lot of the feedback we’ve been getting from local filmmakers is that they don’t have access to studios and a variety of resources around filmmaking, they’d like to buy their own.
“We will also do a pre-screening of just the local films before the awards night, and that might also include potentially A People’s Choice or a local voting situation.”
The red-carpet night will continue to be a part of the event, with details around when and where yet to be finalised in coming months.
For more information about the Blue Heeler Film Festival, including entry requirements, visit blueheelerfilmfestival.com.au.
