Published Friday, 26 September, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Minister for Communities, Disability Services, ATSIP, Multicultural Affairs, Seniors and Youth
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Minister makes on-screen debut to spread youth message
Communities and Youth Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr is set to make her silver screen debut at the 2008 Young Filmmakers Festival this Saturday (27 September) to help spread the messages of young Queenslanders.
As part of National Youth Week, award-winning filmmakers Beau Eastman (19), Hilary Tapper (16), Anna Porter (18), Campbell Irvine (17) and Digby Hogan (18) produced a documentary – Youth Week 2008, featuring the Minister.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the documentary provides a great insight into the thoughts and concerns of young people across Queensland.
“It is important that all young Queenslanders have an opportunity to voice their opinions and to raise issues publicly,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“These five rising stars have joined forces over the past few months to direct, film and edit an eye-opening documentary, which highlights some of the ways young people celebrate Youth Week across Queensland.
“I thank Beau, Hilary, Anna, Campbell and Digby for highlights the wonderful contributions young people make to our community.”
The Department of Communities funded the documentary, which will premiere at the Young Filmmakers Festival at 4pm on Saturday.
“This festival provides a platform for young people to showcase their filmmaking ability and hone these skills alongside the industry’s best and brightest,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“I congratulate the Young Filmmakers Festival Queensland for celebrating the stories of young Queenslanders and for creating the opportunity for aspiring young filmmakers to show what they can do.”
Young Filmmakers Festival Queensland Director, Simon La Rosa, said the Youth Week documentary will be one of 16 short films to be screened at the festival.
“We received 40 entries this year, which included documentaries, stories, experimental films and animations, on everything from environmental issues to teenage superheroes,” Mr La Rosa said.
“Our judges, including Academy Award winner John Cox, and winner of the 2007 Tropfest Best Film Steve Baker, will certainly have a tough job picking the 2008 Best Film in our senior and junior sections.
“The aim of this festival is to refine raw talent. Last year’s winners – the producers of Youth Week 2008 – spent time with industry experts as part of their prize and the fantastic end result shows it’s been a worthwhile experience.
“I look forward to seeing our young filmmakers on the big screen in the near future.”
The free public festival kicks off at 1pm at The Block QUT Creative Industries Precinct, cnr Musk Ave & Kelvin Grove Road, Kelvin Grove campus, and is followed by the awards ceremony.
For more information on the festival, or to watch the festival live online from 4pm on Saturday 27 September, visit www.youngfilmmakersfestivalqueensland.com
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
Simon La Rosa 0403 839 887
Young Filmmakers Festival Queensland 2008 shortlist:
The White Room, by Nicholas (13), Alexandra Headland
Cruel World, by Andrew (17), Alexandra Headland
A Long Way to Go, by Brittney (13), Minyama
The Return of the Tree, by Fraser (14), Minyama
Life as a Victim, by Year Six and Seven students at Ashgrove State School
Being Sylvia, by Morgan (17), Burpengary
FAQ by Jessie (17), Sunnybank
Ryan’s Backyard Adventure by Jye (11), The Gap
Little Habits by Kate (14) and Ksenja (15), Jamboree Heights
Smashed by Breanna (17), Walkerston
Wishing You by Hilary (17), Cleveland
The Adventures of Zanda Panda, by Alexander (16), Warwich
My Father’s Day, by Sarah, Burleigh
The Mind’s Eye, by Kelsie (16), Marcus Beach
All Camera’s on Me! by Mariah (16), Sunnybank
As part of National Youth Week, award-winning filmmakers Beau Eastman (19), Hilary Tapper (16), Anna Porter (18), Campbell Irvine (17) and Digby Hogan (18) produced a documentary – Youth Week 2008, featuring the Minister.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the documentary provides a great insight into the thoughts and concerns of young people across Queensland.
“It is important that all young Queenslanders have an opportunity to voice their opinions and to raise issues publicly,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“These five rising stars have joined forces over the past few months to direct, film and edit an eye-opening documentary, which highlights some of the ways young people celebrate Youth Week across Queensland.
“I thank Beau, Hilary, Anna, Campbell and Digby for highlights the wonderful contributions young people make to our community.”
The Department of Communities funded the documentary, which will premiere at the Young Filmmakers Festival at 4pm on Saturday.
“This festival provides a platform for young people to showcase their filmmaking ability and hone these skills alongside the industry’s best and brightest,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“I congratulate the Young Filmmakers Festival Queensland for celebrating the stories of young Queenslanders and for creating the opportunity for aspiring young filmmakers to show what they can do.”
Young Filmmakers Festival Queensland Director, Simon La Rosa, said the Youth Week documentary will be one of 16 short films to be screened at the festival.
“We received 40 entries this year, which included documentaries, stories, experimental films and animations, on everything from environmental issues to teenage superheroes,” Mr La Rosa said.
“Our judges, including Academy Award winner John Cox, and winner of the 2007 Tropfest Best Film Steve Baker, will certainly have a tough job picking the 2008 Best Film in our senior and junior sections.
“The aim of this festival is to refine raw talent. Last year’s winners – the producers of Youth Week 2008 – spent time with industry experts as part of their prize and the fantastic end result shows it’s been a worthwhile experience.
“I look forward to seeing our young filmmakers on the big screen in the near future.”
The free public festival kicks off at 1pm at The Block QUT Creative Industries Precinct, cnr Musk Ave & Kelvin Grove Road, Kelvin Grove campus, and is followed by the awards ceremony.
For more information on the festival, or to watch the festival live online from 4pm on Saturday 27 September, visit www.youngfilmmakersfestivalqueensland.com
Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280
Simon La Rosa 0403 839 887
Young Filmmakers Festival Queensland 2008 shortlist:
The White Room, by Nicholas (13), Alexandra Headland
Cruel World, by Andrew (17), Alexandra Headland
A Long Way to Go, by Brittney (13), Minyama
The Return of the Tree, by Fraser (14), Minyama
Life as a Victim, by Year Six and Seven students at Ashgrove State School
Being Sylvia, by Morgan (17), Burpengary
FAQ by Jessie (17), Sunnybank
Ryan’s Backyard Adventure by Jye (11), The Gap
Little Habits by Kate (14) and Ksenja (15), Jamboree Heights
Smashed by Breanna (17), Walkerston
Wishing You by Hilary (17), Cleveland
The Adventures of Zanda Panda, by Alexander (16), Warwich
My Father’s Day, by Sarah, Burleigh
The Mind’s Eye, by Kelsie (16), Marcus Beach
All Camera’s on Me! by Mariah (16), Sunnybank