Imagine walking the red carpet to receive your richly deserved award as one of the districts finest new young film makers in front of room full of your friends and supporters.

Six of our youngest and brightest local film makers had this experience on Friday night. After watching their closely crafted entries into the Zones Film festival, students waited nervously as the judge delivered the verdict.  Winners were all smiles as they received awards in several different categories.  Kellie Warrior scared the room with her spooky film ‘Insomnia’ and was awarded best technical film. Alex Fantastico demonstrated yet again why he is our leading animator with ‘Eat Me’ and ‘Lotus’.  Matt Taylor’s serious look at the work of the CFA took out the award for Best Overall Production.  Eloise Marriott’s film ‘Me vs Me’ was the Most Engaging film and her production  ‘My Day’ showed she is an emerging new talent. 

Other film makers , Brooke Webster, Emily Dunkling, Devan Pitches and Jess Wain showed in their films a passion for their town and a level of skill that deserves to be celebrated and encouraged.

LenZone! staff, Belinda  Healy and Hannah Ellen worked hard to skill up and engage teenagers with film making. Anybody can use a cheap phone or camera to upload a basic video onto the net but it takes control, skill and experience to produce a short movie which is engaging and entertaining. Young film makers should ensure they get into the LenZone! and find out about training courses and facilities this year to ensure they are able to share the glamour and excitement of a film festival next year.  The Zones Film Festival has become a feature on the National Youth Week calendar and is made possible by the generous support of sponsors.  In 2010 these sponsors included Ararat Rural City, The Office for Youth, the Astor Cinema, the Ararat Post Office, Retravision, the Ararat Bakery and Jerram’s Autopro.