Judges announced for 2015 Waggafest

14 August 2015

For immediate release

Judges announced for 2015 Waggafest

With only weeks left until entries close for the 2015 Wagga Waggafest short film competition, this year’s judges have been announced.

Ready to cast their expert eye over submissions for the fifth Waggafest are Peter Cox, Sonya Gee and Lex Marinos.

Cox was one half of the Backyard Ashes project, Gee is an ABC Open producer for the Riverina, and former Wagga resident Marinos is a renowned actor and director.

There are more than $6000 in prizes up for grabs this year, so grab some friends and a camera or your smartphone and get filming this weekend.

Entries must tell a unique Wagga story based on the theme “the best is yet to come” and be between two and four minutes long.

Past entrants have gone on to gain national acclaim, with the 2014 overall winning film A Wagga Wagga Winter Tale screened in Federation Square in Melbourne and taking out prizes at other film festivals.

The build-up to this year’s Waggafest has been the biggest yet. Sold-out Winter School short-film animation workshops were held in the July school holidays, while the community’s kids helped design the promotional material at the “Draw Your Best” activity on Australia Day.

Entries for this year’s Waggafest close on 30 August. For more information on the competition or to view past winning entries for inspiration, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/waggafest.

Any businesses interested in sponsoring a prize for this year’s Waggafest can call 6926 9194 or email media@wagga.nsw.gov.au for more information and to get a sponsorship pack.

2015 Wagga Waggafest judges

Peter Cox

Peter is a retired drama teacher, who has directed well over 100 school, community and professional productions. His writing and directing achievements include, Darren Coggan’s Moonshadows, Catherine Alcorn's Divine Miss Bette and The Fabulous Chandeliers, who have all performed nationally. Peter’s most recent project was creating the feature film Backyard Ashes in partnership with Mark Grentell. Peter and Mark, in 2014 also wrote and produced the highly successful children’s show for the Australia Day Committee, The Lizard of Oz.

Sonya Gee

Sonya Gee is the ABC Open producer for the Riverina. She helps audience members tell their stories through photos, videos and text and publish them on the ABC. In addition to delivering storytelling workshops, Sonya has produced mini documentaries about life in our region that have been screened across the ABC. She's excited to return as a festival judge because she loves discovering new local filmmakers and following their work.

Lex Marinos

An Actor, director and arts and events consultant, Lex is a former Wagga resident and sports nut. He has an extensive career in theatre, film and television, most recently in the Logie award-winning TV drama The Slap and Rake. Lex agreed to be a judge because he is a great supporter of young people’s involvement with the arts and very fond of Wagga Wagga.

Wagga Waggafest Fest categories

Hume Bank Best Overall Film - $2500: This is awarded to the film that achieves the best overall score from our three judges. To win this your film has got to be seriously good.

Charles Sturt University Award - $1000: This award recognises the most outstanding film submitted by a Charles Sturt University student or staff member

Young Filmmaker - $500 or a prize of similar value: This is awarded to the best film made by someone under the age of 18

Best Wagga Story - $500 or a prize of similar value: This special prize is based on the “Wagganess” of the film – stories that really capture the 'vibe' of our community.

Best Wagga Visual - $500 or a prize of similar value: This prize awards exceptional cinematography or animated imagery.

Best Original Score - $500 or a prize of similar value: This prize recognises the best original music or sound effects in a film.

People's Choice Award - $500 or a prize of similar value: After the Gala Screening night, all the finalists' films will be made available at this website. It is then up to the public to vote for their favourite film. Whoever gets the most votes wins.

About Waggafest

The Tropfest-inspired short film competition was developed by Council and ties in with the city brand. Adopted in December 2010, the brand concept is that Wagga is more than just one big thing – it’s about the hundred things that are different for all of us, but add up to the city being a great place to live, work and play.

Waggafest has been awarded the Best Marketing/Public Relations Campaign at the Government Communications Awards and the RH Dougherty Award for Excellence in Communications by Local Government NSW.

-Ends-

___________________________________________________________________

Contact Josh Lang 6926 9190/0437 385 892 or media@wagga.nsw.gov.au or follow us on Twitter - @WaggaCouncil