Exciting new $20,000 short film competition

The State Library of NSW has announced the launch of its inaugural short film prize Shortstacks, which is open to established, emerging and first-time filmmakers of all ages.

But there’s a catch … each short film entered must reference one or more items pre-selected from the State Library’s extraordinary collection.

According to State Librarian Dr John Vallance: “Out of more than six million items in the Library’s collection – drawings, photographs, manuscripts, books, maps and other
objects – we’ve chosen six that are sure to ignite visual creativity.

“Shortstacks provides a really unusual opportunity for filmmakers, including those just starting out, to say something new and interesting using the Library’s collection, and reach a wide audience.”

From the State Library NSW website:

“Whether you’re an established, emerging or first-time filmmaker here’s your chance to create a short film with a little inspiration from the State Library’s extraordinary collection.

“Films (of no more than six minutes) can be about anything but must reference one or more items pre-selected from Library’s collection. All genres will be considered – fictional, documentary, animation or experimental (eg. timelapse, hyperlapse and drone), and can be produced on any device including mobile phones.

“Our judges will select the 10 most engaging, imaginative and innovative entries to be showcased in the Shortstacks Short Film Festival at the Library in June. The winners will be announced on the night by Australian film industry royalty and Shortstacks Judge Margaret Pomeranz.”

The six items, which are currently on display in the Library’s new galleries, include Dorothea Mackellar’s hand‐written poem about her beloved ‘sunburnt country’, a letter smuggled out of the Holsworthy Internment Camp in 1919, and a quirky scene of modern domesticity painted by Herbert Badham in 1959.

The inaugural winners will be announced during a special screening of the finalists at the State Library of NSW in June 2019.

$15,000 General Prize: open to filmmakers 18 years and over at the time of entries closing
$5,000 Youth Prize: open to filmmakers 17 years and younger at the time of entries closing
Entries close 5pm AEST, Monday 29 April 2019.

For more information and entry forms, visit the State Library of NSW.

Good luck to all entering this fantastic new short film competition.