The nation’s only beach film festival, Shorts in Paradise (SIPFest), has announced its 2018 finalists, with West End filmmaker Tim Goodwin and Enoggera’s Pearce Hoskinson making the list. The finalists are competing to win one of eight awards presented by the Surfers Paradise Alliance (SPA) and the Gold Coast Film Festival, including Best Film, Runner Up Best Film, People’s Choice, Best Screenplay and Best Actor.
Please Do Not Feed The Ducks goes up against films from all genres, including comedy, drama, documentary and thriller. The two actor production follows Guy and Duck, a simple man who wants nothing more than to feed the ducks, but is prohibited by an official sign and a duck who will try anything to convince him to hand the bread over. Other shortlisted films include Boneslayer, a journey through grief shared by an old man and a stolen dog, Hello, a refugee’s voyage from Afghanistan to Australia, and iRony, outlining the relationship between man and technology, told from the perspective of a phone.
The 12 finalists were selected from 139 entries, judged by a panel of industry experts. Gold Coast Film Festival Director Lucy Fisher said the event’s finalists represent the cream of Australia’s short filmmaking crop, with a variety of styles that are sure to entertain. “We are proud to offer emerging filmmakers the chance to compete for their chance to take home their share of $8,000 in cash prizes and to identify and reward talented, up-and-coming filmmakers from around the country,” Mrs Fisher said.
SIPFest has become a Gold Coast favourite, with increasing numbers of locals and visitors attending each year. It has provided significant economic benefit to the region in its six year run, according to Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw.
“SIPFest has evolved into a key event on the wider events calendar that provides a great opportunity for people to experience the magic of short films on the big screen and to rediscover the Surfers Paradise precinct… it contributes to the development of art and culture in the Gold Coast as a whole,” he said. SIPFest will take place on Sunday 22 April in Surfers Paradise.
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