Wagga Waggafest Special Awards Screening Night on this Wednesday

12 October 2015

For immediate release

Wagga Waggafest Special Awards Screening Night on this Wednesday

If you’re a short film fanatic or just want see a different side of our community, now’s the time to book your seat for the 2015 Wagga Waggafest Special Awards Screening Night.

The free event will be held at the Civic Theatre on Wednesday 14 October and tickets are being snapped up fast.

“Waggafest is about celebrating our city and sharing unique stories with each other and the rest of the world,” Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Councillor Rod Kendall said.

“There have been a record number of entries for the under 18s category this year, which highlights the relevance of the 2015 competition theme ‘the best is yet to come’.

“No doubt this year’s judges Peter Cox, Sonya Gee and Lex Marinos have had a very tough time deciding this year’s winners.”

This year’s Waggafest has a total prize pool worth $6000 and the judges have scored the films on categories including sound, visual and even “Wagga-ness”.

Sheraden Robins and Klutch Kable will also be defending their Hume Bank Best Overall Film award with a high-flying tale that will premiere at the awards night.

More than half of this year’s entries will be vying for the Mayfly Media Young Filmmaker; while also up for grabs are the Charles Sturt University Award for the best film from a CSU student or staff member, the Thirsty Crow Best Wagga Story and the Wagga Wagga City Council Best Original Score.

In a first for Waggafest, sponsors of the Best Wagga Visual prize, Waggawagga.TV, will be streaming the entire event online on the night, so if you miss out on a ticket then you can enjoy all the fun from home.

To book your seat at this year’s awards night, visit civictheatre.com.au or call the theatre on 6926 9688.

Vote in the 365 Cups People’s Choice Award

Once the judges have had their say, it’s over to you!

After the Special Awards Screening Night, the 365 Cups People’s Choice competition will be launched.

The film with the most votes will win a $500 prize, which will be announced at Movies in the Park held in the Victory Memorial Gardens during Wagga’s Australia Day celebrations.

Head to wagga.nsw.gov.au/waggafest after the screening night to cast your vote.

Waggafest 2015 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 the 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.

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

Thirsty Crow Best Wagga Story $500 or a prize of similar value: This special prize is based on the "Wagganess" of the film.

Waggawagga.tv 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.

365cups People's Choice Award $500 or a prize of similar value: After the Special Awards Screening Night in October, all the finalists' films will be made available on the Waggafest website. It is then up to the public to vote for their favourite film. Whoever gets the most votes wins this prize which is announced on Australia Day at the Australia Day celebrations organised by Wagga Wagga City Council.

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.

For more information on Waggafest and to keep updated about next month’s special awards screening night, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au/waggafest

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