Best of Waggafest to be awarded on Wednesday, October 14

23 September 2015

For immediate release

Best of Waggafest to be awarded on Wednesday, October 14

From budding young film makers to professional animators, the best of this year’s Waggafest will go on show next month at the Special Awards Screening Night.

Held on Wednesday 14 October at the Civic Theatre, all of this year’s finalists will be screened and $6000 in prizes awarded across seven categories.

If you’re a short film fanatic or just want to support burgeoning local talent, tickets to the free event can be booked now at civictheatre.com.au or by calling the theatre on 6926 9688.

Last year’s screening night was all-but booked out, but there’s good news if you can’t make it.

Sponsors of the Best Wagga Visual prize, Waggawagga.TV, will be streaming the entire event online on the night.

You can catch all of the finalists, plus hear from the judges, award winners and more as we share this year’s unique Wagga stories.

The Mayfly Media Young Filmmaker category is set to be hotly contested, with more than half of this year’s entries vying for the under 18s category prize.

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

Also being presented on the night are the Charles Sturt University Award for the best film from a CSU student or staff member, the Thirsty Crow Best Wagga Story to judge the “Wagganess” of the entries, and the Best Original Score prize.

Once the judges Peter Cox, Sonya Gee and Lex Marinos have had their say on the night, it’s over to you to decide the 365cups People’s Choice Award.

After the awards night you can watch all of this year’s films at wagga.nsw.gov.au/

waggafest and then cast your vote.

The winner will be revealed during Movies in the Park held in the Victory Memorial Gardens during Wagga’s Australia Day celebrations.

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