ENTRIES SOUGHT FOR COUNTRY’S BIGGEST NEW FILMMAKER COMPETITION

Aspiring Queensland filmmakers are being encouraged to submit their films for Australia’s largest industry-sponsored new filmmaker competition.

Arts Minister Rod Welford said the Warner Roadshow Studios Queensland New Filmmakers Awards (QNFA) would this year be held during the Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) for the first time.

“QNFA offers tremendous support for emerging filmmakers and has helped launch the careers of countless film industry professionals since it began,” Mr Welford said.

“The event has traditionally been held in April, but this year it will be run in conjunction with BIFF to give emerging filmmakers the opportunity to rub shoulders with leading screen writers, directors and producers from around the world.

“Both events are initiatives of the Government’s Pacific Film and Television Commission to enrich Queensland’s film and television identity and grow an appreciation of screen culture so they have a lot in common.”

Now in its 21^st year, QNFA is considered an institution within Queensland’s television and film industry and remains heavily supported by industry partners, including founding partner Warner Roadshow Studios.

Entries for the 2007 QNFA open tomorrow (Friday 13 April) and filmmakers have until Thursday 31 May to enter. Entry forms are available on the PFTC website www.pftc.com.au .

Films will be screened at The Regent Cinemas on 4 August, with winners announced at a Gala Awards Night on 11 August.

This year’s Brisbane International Film Festival, 2-12 August, will bring together more than 100 international films and a large selection of home-grown Australian titles screened at The Regent Cinemas in Queen Street Mall, Palace Centro Cinemas at FortitudeValley and the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA).

The ticketed program will be complemented by ‘BIFF in the Burbs’, which will see BIFF films screened at 15 locations in south-east Queensland each Friday, Saturday and Sunday night between 5 July to 6 August.

The full BIFF program of films will be announced in early July.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985