THE Perfect Light Film Festival will return to Broken Hill for its nineth year this March, offering aspiring filmmakers and cinephiles an opportunity to watch movies at the Silver City Cinema in Sturt Park and even learn the basics of filmmaking, with an entirely free program.
Twelve films will be screened with prizes on offer for first, second and third places, as well as an award for emerging filmmaker under the age of 18.
Festival director Steve Bastoni said the judges are always thrilled to see local films, and a Broken Hill filmmaker has won multiple times in the past.
“We’ve got a history of showcasing local filmmakers with Jason King and others, so we really like to see local entries,” he said.
Bastoni started the Peninsula Film Festival in 2011, and the Perfect Light Film Festival began in Broken Hill in 2017.
“Broken Hill came about because we were looking to do a 100 per cent solar powered film festival, and we did some research and found that Broken Hill has the second largest solar farm in Australia,” Bastoni said.
“We approached AGL who came onboard as a sponsor, and they guaranteed us that 100 per cent of the electricity we used would be solar powered. I think it was a world first.”
Bastoni said Broken Hill’s rich film history also added to the desire to host the event in town.
“From Wake in Fright to Priscilla Queen of the Desert and countless other films that have been shot there over the years,” he said.
“We just loved the landscape, we love the light, it’s the perfect film-maker environment.”
Bastoni said this year’s festival was on track for record entries, with more than 100 submissions so far.
Entries for filmmakers are open until February 7, with emerging and experienced creators encouraged to submit short films with running times of less than 12 minutes.
Filmmakers can enter at filmfreeway.com/theperfectlightfilmfestival.
