2024 Gala Awards Night

This year's winner of the Super Short Film Category was Chelan Cuevas with DIENA. A struggling addict locks horns with his deteriorating mind during a psychotic breakdown, while his friend's attempts to call him become futile.

We saw outstanding young talent and a competitive field of entries. There will be names amongst these finalists we are sure to see in the future. The winning Under 18s Short Film for 2024 was 333 by Francisco Pineda Meneses.

For the third year in a row we congratulate South Coast Baptist College for winning the Schools/Classes category. This year, they entered part III of the 'The Lift' trilogy with, THE LIFT: REALITIES UNRAVELED. This is an impressive winning streak!

What a hotly contested category! With four finalists and all strong contenders, our winner of the Open Short Film was CUBBY HOUSE by Jacopo Cioni. Hero Boy's world is shattered when his beloved partner disappears, only to find her at a party, dressed as an ordinary teen no longer interested in their superhero romance.

This year we introduced in-cinema ballot voting for Opening Night and General Session. The cinema audience stayed in their seats, or gathered in groups, making sure each vote counted. The People's Choice Award for Opening Night was CUBBY HOUSE by Jacopo Cioni.

We had one mega General Session and again, the audience stayed long after the session had finished, ensuring every vote counted. The winner was BROCKO FROM ROCKO by Wade McColl. A documentary about Brock Bevan and the Rockingham Penguins, a group of over 2000 members who swim in the ocean almost every morning.

For each year of the festival we've had People's Choice Award - Online. All shortlisted projects are involved and the sharing online was prolific. There was a decisive winner, and this was WARRIOR by Tanya Dupagne. This is the story of Tanya's journey with Lyme Disease in Australia, after being bitten by a tick in an endemic area in America 20 years ago.

Congratulations to Director Ryan Svirac with EVERYTHING WILL KILL YOU - RIP for winning the Best Cinematography Award for 2024. RIP - What would you do if a rip tide pulled you out to sea and a hungry Great White Shark decides to block your way back to shore?

Remember the name 'Lee Gifford' the composer of the music from CUBBY HOUSE. Congratulations on your amazing work and taking out 2024's Best Original Soundtrack!

Another name to remember: 'SVME' who composed and sang DIGITAL REALITY from the music video short film 'Alienation' by Sam Bell. I'm sure we will be hearing more of SVME in the future.

This year we asked the Judges to choose one project who was a worthy winner, but hadn't taken out first place and that they felt deserved to be commended for their talented work. This award went to SECOND HAND STORIES by Sidney Osabofu.

Each year RHB Films (Renae's choice) chooses one talent for whom she sees star quality in their work and believes it will be a name to watch for the future. This year, that award went to 18 year old Jacopo Cioni for his moving short film CUBBY HOUSE.