Each year, the Odyssey Short Film Festival runs in Geelong, showcasing the work achieved through Year 11 and 12 studies at high school. Now in its fourth year, the film festival is set to run on December 3 with more than 10 schools (and even more students) showcasing their films.
Essentially the night runs like this: you get there, grab a seat, download yourself the Odyssey Film Festival app which was designed by Chris McDermott (though we advise to download it earlier) and sit through the films – rating each one as you go. At the end of the night the judges will decide on the film they think is the best and an audience award will also be given on the night (hence all that voting).
Some past winners have been Sam Olorenshaw, Henry Caldwell and Joey Knox. Joey has since gone on to study film, and his short film featuring downhill bike-riding went on to be screened in a few other capacities. As much as the film is a celebration of the hard work undertaken during secondary studies, it’s about giving the students a taste for what it’s like in the industry – and possibly an affirmation of where they’d like to head as they embark on further study or creative opportunities.
“A short film festival for young people is a rare thing in Australia, and Odyssey is quite brilliant – especially since it’s only in its second year,” previous winner Henry Caldwell told Forte. “There ought to be many more things like it, but there should also be more ways for young people (and older people) to watch good films. The revival of independent cinemas (the Pivotonian on Pakington Street is a very recent example, and I think the only one of its kind in Geelong) is a slow-moving but hopeful phenomenon, but it will take a lot more to overcome a widespread fear and mistrust of foreign language films.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the media students of Geelong as they are able to have their work viewed by a large audience and on the big screen,” Joey Knox adds. “People have given me great feedback on my film, which is really rewarding and also inspiring for me to keep making more films.”
It’s hard to comprehend just how much of an impact the experience has on students, but given it’s run since 2013 there are already several students who have gone on to further their studies in film and media. What’s even greater for the students is seeing the response from the audience during the screenings, so get down on December 3 and take part in a great night celebrating the future of young filmmakers.
Schools involved:
Belmont High School
Clonard College Geelong
Geelong College
Geelong High School
Grovedale Secondary College
Kardinia International College
Lara Secondary College
St Joseph’s College Geelong
Sacred Heart College Geelong
Saint Ignatius College
Surf Coast Secondary College
Odyssey Film Festival runs as part of Pivot Connect. You can download the Odyssey App via the website: www.odysseyfilmfestival.com
When & Where: 6-9pm, Saturday December 3. Films start at 6pm. There will also be a 10minute interval. Tickets are $5.
Feature Film Still: Saint Ignatius College Y12 Potential Claire McCarthy
Second Film Still: Belmont High School Y11 Over the Edge Jachob Dynes
