Celebrating its fifth year in 2010, the Hillside Film Festival is calling for entries from Victoria’s most promising young filmmakers. The festival gives emerging filmmakers the opportunity to see their films on the big screen in front of a large audience, be judged professionally by some of the most respected filmmakers and writers in the country, and win some fantastic prizes along the way.   

Screened in one of Victoria’s most-beautiful cinemas, the Cameo Outdoor Cinema in Belgrave, the festival proudly focuses on artistic excellence and innovation, celebrating great filmmaking across all genres, styles and budgets. We want to hear from young filmmakers with a unique voice, a story to tell and a fresh approach to filmmaking – not just those with the best equipment or famous friends. Industry judges include Sandra Sciberras, director of the AFI award-winning ‘Caterpillar Wish’ (AUS 2006), and Bridget Callow, producer of the AFI-nominated ‘Bitter and Twisted’ (AUS 2008).

This year, filmmakers are competing for a stack of cash and awards, including a $1,000 cash prize from The Upwey & District Community Bank Group and a prize pack from Madman Entertainment. Selected films will also feature on the small screen, presented on Foxtel’s Aurora Community Channel as part of Youth Week 2010. To enter, films must be 15 minutes or less, and the filmmaker from Victoria and aged 30 or under.