Heathcote Film Festival

Last updated
Heathcote Film Festival
GenreShort film festival
DatesAugust/September
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s) Heathcote, Victoria, Australia
Years active2010–present
ParticipantsOver 200
Website https://heathcotefilmfestival.com.au/

The Heathcote Film Festival is a short film festival held annually in Heathcote, in central Victoria. The festival has been operating since 2010. It showcases both international and Australian films, and provides a forum for emerging film-makers.

Contents

History

The Heathcote Film Festival was initiated by a small group of community-minded volunteers who were interested in creating an annual event featuring both international and Australian short films. [1] [2] The event supports emerging filmmakers, with an award specifically for early-career filmmakers living in Australia. [2] Awards are presented at each festival and include a Jury prize, an Emerging film-maker prize, and a People's choice award, which is voted on by festival attendees. Submitted films must be no longer than 15 minutes. [2] In 2025, the committee received over seventy short film submissions. [3]

The festival screens short films from a range of countries, and covers many different genres, including comedy, animation, drama, and documentary. [1] [4] It is held in the Heathcote RSL Hall and now extends over two evenings, one an informal night, and one a formal gala dinner. [4] [5] Local wines from the Heathcote region are available on both nights, with many wineries also sponsoring the event. [5] [6] [2] An article in The Age included the event as one of the "Six reasons to visit Heathcote." [5]

The festival was awarded a Bendigo Bank Community grant in 2024. This enabled the purchase of a projector, sound system, and a large screen, which organisers intend to make available for other community events. [7]

Guest speakers

Select past winners

Each year at the festival, a Jury Prize and a People's Choice Award are selected. [9]

2024

Jury PrizePeople's Choice Award
La Banyera (the Bathtub) by Sergi Marti MaltasLa Banyera (the Bathtub) by Sergi Marti Maltas (Friday)

La Cena (The Dinner) by Jesús Martínez “Nota” (Saturday)

The Inaugural Emerging Filmmaker Prize was awarded to Ablaze by Danni Fenech.

2023

Jury PrizePeople's Choice Award
Yellow by Elham EhsasYellow by Elham Ehsas (Friday)

A Simple F*cking Gesture by Jesse Shamata (Saturday)

2019

Jury PrizePeople's Choice Award
Be You T.Fool by Brendan Pinches Lost Property Office by Dan Agdag

2018

Jury PrizePeople's Choice Award
Mrs McCutcheon by John Sheedy Mrs McCutcheon by John Sheedy

References

  1. 1 2 "Heathcote Short Film Festival". www.heathcote.org.au. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Heathcote Film Festival". FilmFreeway. 2025-02-13. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  3. ↑ James, Sandra (2025-06-08). "Film Fest returning in August". McIvor Times. Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  4. 1 2 "Heathcote Film Festival". www.heathcote.org.au. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Cornish, Richard (25 August 2012). "Six reasons to visit Heathcote (Life & Style)". The Age (Melbourne, Australia). p. 6. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  6. ↑ "Sponsors – Heathcote Film Festival" . Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  7. ↑ James, Sandra (2024-04-12). "New equipment a boost for annual film festival". McIvor Times. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
  8. ↑ Pedler, Chris (2015-08-14). "Colbinabbin director to feature at Film Festival". www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
  9. ↑ "Past Winners – Heathcote Film Festival" . Retrieved 2025-07-20.

36°55′23.56″S144°42′23.48″E / 36.9232111°S 144.7065222°E / -36.9232111; 144.7065222

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