​​After the enthusiastically received screenings of the 2024 Benalla Shorts Film Festival today, we have great pleasure announcing the 2024 Festival Award Winners;
​

1. Student Award $500 won By Rachel Tierney for “THE HUNT”.
2. Local Award $250 won by Hayley Warnock for “TRAIL OF DILEMMA”.
3. Best Documentary $250 won by Yanni Dellaportas for “BEAUTIFUL STORM”.
4. Kevin Perry Encouragement Award $250 won by Nathalie Cerritelli for “COOKING SOLO”.
5. Best Performance $100 won by Ayesha Gibson for “THE RETIREMENT PLAN”.
6. Best International $500 won by Marius Conrotto for “COLLAGE”.
7. Judges Award Best Australian $1000 won by John Erasmus for “THE RETIREMENT PLAN”.
8. People’s Choice Award $200 won by Andrew Robb and Jessica Gerger for “CREEK GEEKS”.

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Thank you to our Judges Krista Vendy and Bruce Hunt-Hughes, and to the total 76 submissions in this year's festival.

The Benalla Shorts 2024 Program has been released, and with it the welcoming Director's Message from Anna Smith...

"Welcome to the 10th National & International Benalla Short Film Festival 2024. Benalla Shorts embraces national and international film makers across all age groups and walks of life.

We are so honoured and excited to have been Nominated for the Victoria Community Achievement Award 2024 in this our 10th year bringing Benalla and district unique thought provoking short films.

Our screen industry tells stories that allow us to connect with one another, and to better understand ourselves and each other. Of the 76 films entered, the judges have selected nine finalists for this year’s Festival, with one bonus film from Writer/Director Jack Rintoul, starring our very own new judge Bruce Hunt-Hughes.

We have also introduced a new category this year in honour of my dear friend and colleague Kevin Perry (Page 7).

The Benalla Shorts Team would like to thank the local community for their continued support for allowing us to grow for the last 10 years.

Sit back, relax and enjoy Benalla Shorts Film Festival 2024.

​Anna Smith" ​

Thank you to all 76 entrants in the 2024 Benalla Shorts Film Festival.  And thank you to our Judges Krista Vendy and Bruce Hunt-Hughes for their efforts in judging the competition.

Finalists for the 2024 Benalla Shorts Film Festival are;

1. She Made It Series: Women In QLD Manufacturing Ep 1 (4:45)
   1. Director Caitlin Johnston, Queensland
2. Creek Greeks (5:32)
   1.  Directors Andrew Robb and Jessica Gerger, Victoria
3. Collage (9:51)
   1. Director Marius Conrotto, Spain
4. The Hunt (9:28)
   1. Director Rachel Tierney, Victoria
5. Trail Of Dilemma (9:18)
   1. Director Hayley Warnock, Victoria
6. The Retirement Plan (14:56)
   1. Director John Erasmus, Victoria
7. Beautiful Storm (8:07)
   1. Director Yanni Dellaportas, Victoria
8. Sock's Manifesto (3:30)
   1. Angeliki Pardalidou, Greece
9. Cooking Solo (8:17)
   1. Director Nathalie Cerritelli, Victoria

There will be two screenings on Sunday November 10 at the Benalla Cinema 14 Mair Street Benalla.   The Premiere Screening at 3pm will be followed by a Second Screening at 6.30pm.

Prior to the Screening a short film Gitar will be screened featuring our judge Bruce Hunt-Hughes.

Purchase tickets for the 6.30pm screening online at www.benallacinema.com.au or purchase at the Benalla Cinema, Mair Street Benalla. 

A Benalla group has been nominated for the 2024 Victoria Community Achievement Awards.

Anna Smith and the group of volunteers behind the Benalla Short Film Festival have been nominated in the Awards Australia Community Group Award Category.

The not-for-profit group, of which Ms Smith is the head, showcases and uplifts film-makers from Victoria, Australia and all around the world.

One of the festival's early winners, Michael Raso, went on to win 16 awards, and flew to France with the prize money, where he found himself at the Cannes Film Festival, viewing his own film Solitude on the big screen.

Over the years, many film and TV stars have helped out as judges, including Krista Vendy and David Forster, but it's the local faces who do the heavy lifting that are now getting their moment in the limelight.  

The festival has been running for over 10 years, starting off as a humble platform for regional Victorian filmmakers to enter their own short film to be viewed and judged.

From there, the festival grew to unforeseen heights, expanding online to include international entrants and judges.

In its time, the festival has helped boost many filmmakers' careers, exposing their talents and helping them get a foot up in the competitive industry.

"Our ultimate goal is that one day, one of our film-makers will be the next Baz Luhrmann or Peter Weir," Ms Smith said.

"It would be dream come true that we were able to assist someone in their career in the film industry."

Despite hardship, including restrictions during COVID-19 pushing the festival on-line, and a lack of funding, the festival is still going strong - a testament to the group's hard work and dedication.

The festival organisers are thankful  to receive support from local businesses, the community and though grants.

We are very proud of the work we do with the limited funds we receive, and we can only thrive thanks to our hardworking, dedicated wonderful volunteers and community support," Ms Smith said.

The competition will be judged in October, and winners will be announced on Friday, December 13 at a special Community Awards gala presentation dinner. "

2023 Winners

BEST FILM $1,000.00
“The Ghost Hunter” by Michael Hollis

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM $500.00
“Adieu Gaston” by Victor Guilbaud - France

BEST STUDENT FILM $250.00
“The Ghost Hunter” by Michael Hollis
Sponsored by Rotary Club

BEST LOCAL FILM $250.00
“The Honoured Ones” by Andrew Flenley – Kyabran Vic
Sponsored Benalla Bowls Club

BEST DOCUMENTARY $250.00
“Cry Of The Glossy” by Tim Brown & Michael Portway
Sponsored The Willow Award

BEST PERFORMANCE $100.00
Rebecca Perich
“The Fading End” by David Musical
Sponsored Terry White Chemist

PEOPLE’S CHOICE $250.00
“Cry of the Glossy” by Tim Brown & Michael Portway
Sponsored Friends of BPACC