Tessa Randello
An inventive film festival encouraging households to band together and produce a short movie has launched in the Latrobe Valley.
The Latrobe ISO Film Festival gives people of all ages the opportunity to contribute to and participate from the comfort of their own home.
The aim of the free festival is to foster creative talent as well as community connection.
Developed by the social marketing team We Are Latrobe, creative production company Nanoo Nanoo and the Latrobe Health Assembly, the Latrobe ISO Film Festival offers participants the chance to showcase their stories and talents with others by adopting an innovative approach to the traditional film festival model.
The festival will take place from tomorrow evening, with participants getting involved remotely.
Registrants will be provided with a theme at the opening of the festival and have 48 hours to produce their film.
The event will culminate with an online watch party to showcase the entries.
All Latrobe Valley residents are encouraged to get involved, either as contributors or viewers.
Nanoo Nanoo’s Eloisa Tripodi said the festival was open to anyone, from novices to seasoned filmmakers.
“It’s a great chance for people to have some fun and see what they can achieve from home in one weekend,” Ms Tripodi said.
In addition to the fun of making a film and the glory of getting it screened in a festival, participants will benefit from the support and feedback of Tripodi and her experienced Nanoo Nanoo co-owner Dan Clancey.
Resources on how to get started will also be available to those who are looking for inspiration or advice.
Latrobe Health Assembly executive officer Tanya Rong said the power of film to unite people was at the heart of the project.
“The Latrobe Valley is rich with talent and stories and this event gives our community the chance to showcase that, to come together – remotely – and think outside the box,” Ms Rong said.
We Are Latrobe coordinator Chloe Benson said the festival was a great opportunity to foster creativity in the community.
“Current lockdown laws have us all spending more time at home but restrictions of this kind have sparked the creativity of many,” Ms Benson said.
“We came up for the idea while we were brainstorming about ways that we could engage the local community while they are in isolation.”
“It is a great way for us to foster creativity in the community while also having people connect with others in their household and other households remotely.”
The Latrobe ISO Film Festival is a Latrobe Health Innovation Zone initiative.
For more information, follow We Are Latrobe and Nanoo Nanoo on Facebook.
For full festival details, including registration, head to nanoonanoo.com.au/product/iso-film-festival/.
