Queer winning careers
More than 1,000 film-buffs were treated to the best of emerging local queer filmmaking talent on Thursday when the winners of the My Queer Career short film competition were announced.
Queer Screen’s opening night attracted a higher than expected number of people to watch the 10 finalists and mingle with the creators.
Judges, producer Helen Bowden, film executive Ashley Luke and television personalities Margaret Pomeranz and Anton Enus selected the final 10.
Pomeranz told Sydney Star Observer she was amazed at the variety of the films this year.
It was difficult to agree on the finalists. Many more deserved to be recognised, but there was general unanimity in the top award, she said.
Amy Gebhardt took home the Best Film award for her aggressive portrayal of a street gang photo shoot, Look Sharp.
Winning applause for his portrayal of individual beauty in a cruel world, Stuart Vauvert collected the audience vote for Prada Handbag.
Sarah Spillane got the Emerging Talent award for her canine comedy Australian Tails and the darkly poignant The Manual.
The SBS and Queer Portrayal awards went to Fadia Abboud for her ethnic lesbian story, In The Ladies Lounge, and Elka Kerkhofs took the production award for Filled With Water.
Other finalists included Peter Humble with Mizu, Campbell Farquhar with Salt, Walter Lee with My Malaysian Trip, and Pearl Tan with Seeya Rach.
Most of the entrants show queer life in a positive light, judge Ashley Luke said.
A lot of queer films show queer life in not necessarily positive ways. It’s nice when they get a chance to do something different.
For that reason it was obvious Prada Handbag would win the Audience Award, he said. It’s instantly very pleasing, giving a message but told in an overall comedic way.
An industry insider from Fortissimo Films, Luke thought all the finalists showed talent of varying degrees, but gave special mention to top winner Gebhardt.
Without a doubt, she’s a very highly talented filmmaker. Amy’s going to go places, Luke said.
Queer Screen’s Mardi Gras Film Festival runs until 1 March with screenings at Dendy Newtown, Chauvel Cinemas, Palace Academy Twin and Randwick Ritz. Information and bookings at Queer Screen’s website.
