Emerging and professional filmmakers of all ages are being invited to showcase their talents and engross a wide audience at the 2022 Multicultural Film Festival.
The festival aims to champion and present Victoria’s multicultural communities through original short films. Submissions from those with multicultural backgrounds are encouraged, but any filmmaker who produces a film that promotes social cohesion is welcome.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence encouraged filmmakers to participate and share their great ideas.
“Victoria is a proud multicultural state, home to people who identify with more than 270 ancestries – and the Multicultural Film Festival is a visual celebration of this wonderful diversity,” he said.
For the first time, filmmakers under 18 years of age can enter the primary competition, with a new young filmmaker award. In categories for those aged four to 11 and 12 to 17 years old, children can enter individually, with friends or as part of their school.
A new chairperson’s choice award has also been created, chosen by Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen for the film that best addresses racism, multiculturalism, faith or social cohesion, or is about a Victorian subject or location.
Ms Nguyen said the Commission is excited to build upon the success of previous Multicultural Film Festivals and encouraged Victorians with multicultural backgrounds to tell their story and raise their voice through their films.
“Though people may have different backgrounds when we immerse ourselves in films about identity and what it’s like to live in a multicultural community, it’s easy to see that there is more that unites us than divides us,” she said.
Other awards will be given to the best short fiction film, short non-fiction film, open category film, and emerging filmmaker.
Shortlisted films will be screened at the Multicultural Film Festival in Melbourne in late August 2022, where the winners will be announced. Prizes include priceless mentoring and networking opportunities with industry leaders and the opportunity for films to be screened at events across Victoria.
For more information and to submit your entry, visit multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au/ multicultural-film-festival.
Submissions are open until Monday 20 June.
