Lights, camera, action! Official launch of the 20th MyState Bank Student Film Festival

27/05/2022

Entries are now open for the annual MyState Bank Student Film Festival, which also marks 20 years of finding, nurturing and celebrating Tasmania’s next generation of film and production stars.

Students from kindergarten to university are invited to compete for cash and prizes worth over $20,000 across 26 categories. Entry is free, with the festival providing young creatives with the opportunity to showcase their talent for 24 judges, including Tasmanian arts industry heavyweights.

The MyState Bank Student Film Festival 2022 is open to students across Australia. This year’s feature item is ‘Water’, and must be included in all films.

“The festival’s theme is ‘Make It’ and that’s exactly what we want students to do — make their films their way, and draw on their imagination and creativity” said Brett Morgan, MyState Managing Director and CEO.

“Tasmania is one of the best backdrops in the world, so I encourage all budding short film makers to make a difference, make art and make a big impression.”

Created in 2003, the MyState Bank Student Film Festival shines a spotlight on young Tasmanians, giving local students the chance to develop writing and filmmaking skills.

Far from being just a sponsor, MyState runs the festival from start to finish.

Over the past 19 festivals, thousands of students from hundreds of schools have entered short films, with some truly amazing local talent discovered.

“The standard is always high, and there’s always a friendly rivalry between schools,” said Janelle Whittle, MyState Bank General Manager of People, Community and Public Affairs.

“We’re thrilled to have supported this festival for two decades, and so proud of encouraging and celebrating the next generation of storytellers across Tasmania and the whole of Australia.”

After 11 years on the festival’s judging panel, film industry expert Abi Binning says in 2022 judges are looking for “a compelling story told in a compelling way. A story that isn’t reliant so much on the quality of film equipment but on the quality of vision and collaboration.”

MyState’s 20-year investment in the next generation of filmmakers is “extraordinary,” said Ms Binning.

“It’s not lip service, it is them running a film festival for two decades. They are committed to building creativity in this state and showcasing the excellence of kids around Tasmania.”

The tangible result of the investment? That students who have been prize winners are now judges kicking goals in the industry.

Hobart’s Robert Gawlik is a three-time winner of the Teacher Contribution Award. He says entering the MyState festival gives his Taroona High students “not just a good buzz of having had fun, but also a sense of achievement.”

It’s a “unique and rich learning opportunity”, said Mr Gawlik.

“The festival gives them an important goal and incentive, and I often point out to students that their work is being watched by the best industry people.”

Also from Hobart, Rosny College student Ben Dixon, 17, has won three awards at the MyState Bank Student Film Festival with his films The Gift (2019) and Fragments of Then (2021) after entering for the past six years.

His experience and success at the festival means his goal now is to study filmmaking at university: “It led me to what I want to do, and gave me a career.”

Planning to enter three films in 2022, Mr Dixon said the festival “gives you exposure and an audience you might not otherwise have had. There’s not much opportunity for creative people to get recognised and celebrated. The festival is a platform for us to follow our passions and get rewarded for our efforts.”

Mr Dixon’s advice for students thinking about entering?

“Just go for it. It’s an opportunity for you to have fun, find what you love — and it’s free.”