Australia's First Charity Kids Film Festival Arrives In Melbourne

Buzz Movie Makers, a Melbourne-based kid's film school, has teamed up with the I Give a Buck! Foundation of Australia to present the country's first Film Festival for under 16's which donates 100% of it's profits to charity.

Young people across Australia are invited to showcase their creative talents by submitting short films or animations of no more than 7 minutes, in any genre they choose. A selection of fantastic prizes are up for grabs, along with the chance to have a film screened on the 'big screen' at the Buzz Awards Ceremony, being held on Sunday 25th November 2012, at Cinema Nova on Lygon Street.

Entries for the Buzz Movie Makers Film Festival 2012 are now open to individuals and groups, with the closing date for submissions being November 7th. Prizes will be given out in 9 different categories; including Best Film, Best Actor/Actress and Best Animated Film – but perhaps the most special award of the 2012 contest will be the 'I Give a Buck Foundation Award'...

This award will be given to a young filmmaker or animator who can create an original advert for the charity, explaining the work they do and inviting people to donate as little as $1 to help children from low income families receive vital equipment such as wheelchairs, walking frames and specialist nursing care. The advert must run for no longer than 2 minutes, and the winning film will be broadcast all over Australia, promoting the charity. 

Buzz Movie Makers founder, actress and teacher Claire Dicarlo says, “We are so excited to be launching this film festival in Melbourne. Modern technology now makes filmmaking so accessible to young people. You don't need fancy or expensive equipment to make an engaging movie - often a great idea and a camera phone are all that's required! Young people have a voice now like never before, and we're so looking forward to seeing how creatively they can use that voice.”

Entry to the festival costs $25, and submissions will be judged by professional directors working in the Australian film industry. For more information, email contactus@buzzmoviemakers.com.au and request a registration pack. 

More information on Buzz Movie Makers courses can be found at www.buzzmoviemakers.com.au; and I Give a Buck's current appeals at www.igiveabuck.com.au