13/07/06
The winners and finalists for the innovative Western Australian short film competition entitled Buy My Duck! have been announced by Consumer Protection Minister Michelle Roberts.
Buy My Duck! is a joint initiative of Revelation Perth International Film Festival and the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection.
"One of the challenges we face is connecting with young people to help them learn about their consumer rights," Mrs Roberts said.
"Generally, young WA consumers rarely take the time to make inquiries about the products and services they purchase, and it is only when a problem arises that they seek help from Consumer Protection.
"The Buy My Duck! short film competition is a new way to address consumer protection issues in a meaningful way for young consumers."
WA filmmakers contended for a $10,000 prize in the open category, and a MacIntosh G5 computer with final cut pro editing software in the under 17s category, for the best short film about the challenges young consumers face today.
"Internationally acclaimed film director Phillip Noyce and The Panda Band lead singer Damian Crosbie were among the judges of this competition, which has been the first of its kind," the Minister said.
"The competition was very popular, attracting more than 50 entries from professionals, young first-time filmmakers, indigenous filmmakers and experimental artists. Entries were received from as far afield as Karratha.
"The filmmakers lived up to the challenge admirably, with the ensuing films covering topics like residential tenancy, credit card debt, buying cars and the broad issue of how consumerism is shaping our society."
Revelation Perth International Film Festival director Richard Sowada said the number of entries was a significant outcome for any film competition in Australia.
"The standard of the films we received exceeded expectations," Mr Sowada said.
"It is astonishing and heartening to see the wealth of talent from new and emerging filmmakers in an initiative like this. Even better, though, is the way filmmakers embraced the spirit of the competition and took a serious roll of the creative dice."
Mrs Roberts announced the winners at the opening of the Revelation Perth International Film Festival.
"I take very great pleasure in confirming that Sambodhi Field, of Churchlands, has won the open category along with the $10,000 cheque and Tim Green, of East Fremantle, is the winner of the under 17s category, receiving the industry professional computer equipment," the Minister said.
"Sambodhi's winning entry, called 'Consume This: A Stockumentary' and Tim's aptly named entry, 'Skam', were both showcased at Luna Leederville, for the Revelation Perth International Film Festival tonight."
Finalists for the open category include:
- Carma by Todd Barac of Kenwick;
- How to Lie by Lisa Rye of Kensington;
- Sprawl by Michael Hoath of Yokine; and
- The Fury of the Gentle by Andrew Nowrojee of Rossmoyne.
Finalists for the under 17-year-old category are Baden Harris, Jessica Hegarty, Hannah Hugessen, Jake Harrison, and Jamie Brown for 'You Have Mail'.
Minister's office: (08) 9213 6600
