Hume Bank announced as Waggafest Best Overall Film sponsor

Hume Bank announced as Waggafest Best Overall Film sponsor - 24 July 2015

Wagga Wagga City Council is pleased to announce Hume Bank has again thrown its support behind Wagga Waggafest Short Film Competition – and there are more sponsorship opportunities available.

Hume Bank has earned naming rights for the Best Overall Film category for the second year in a row, which means the winning filmmaker will take home a $2500 prize.

Charles Sturt University has also donated $1000 for the best entry from a CSU student or teacher, pushing the total prize pool out to more than $6000.

Wagga businesses now have the opportunity to help foster local talent by sponsoring one of the remaining five other categories – Young Filmmaker, Best Wagga Visual, Best Wagga Story, Best Original Score and the People’s Choice Award.

“Hume Bank is proud to support Waggafest, which is all about telling our community’s unique stories,” Hume Bank’s Regional Manager Justin Rynehart said.

“We see this as an opportunity to invest in our community as well as celebrate the best of Wagga.”

Waggafest has already had a huge 2015, including the sold-out Winter School short-film animation workshops held in the July school holidays.

Focusing on the 2015 theme “the best is yet to come”, Waggafest organisers also handed the community’s kids pencils and paper on Australia Day to let them create this year’s promotional material.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Rod Kendall said Waggafest is celebrating its fifth year in 2015 and past winners have gone on to garner national acclaim.

“Whether you’re eight or 80, Waggafest gives everyone the opportunity to pick up a video camera or even just their smartphone and tell their Wagga story,” Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Rod Kendall said.

“Last year’s winning film was even screened in Federation Square in Melbourne.”

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.

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.

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 this prize.

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.