Best Australian Short Film
Sponsored by Clare Valley Business and Tourism Association

Winner – Cockatoo,  Directed by Matt Jenkins

I can’t say enough about COCKATOO; the lead Alan Dukes puts it over the top.  I laugh every time I watch this picture. It’s spot on in every aspect: casting, pacing, color & space, music, beautifully written and executed.   Mike Demirjian, Judge

Special Mention – The Telegram Man,  Directed by James Francis Khehtie

Special Mention – There’s No Place,  Directed by Chris Tomkins 

Best International Short Film
Sponsored by  Grosset Wines

Winner – Tiger Boy.  Directed by Gabriele Mainetti

Deftly edited, the timing in this film combines perfectly with the succinct  script , great acting by it’s young star and powerful subject. ‘Tiger Boy’ does not fall into proselytising or the often predictable twist at the end; it hits you on the head and ends leaving us feeling empowered rather than victimised.  Paul Greenaway, Judge

Special Mention – Paper Mountain,  Directed by Lynsey Miller

Best Animation
Sponsored by Blackman Gallery

Winner – Tram,  directed by Michaela Pavlatova

Tram explores the erotic fantasies of a female tram driver in glorious and funny detail as banal objects take on outrageous significance in her over-heated imagination.  It’s delightful, cheeky, very funny and beautifully realised.  Rob George, Judge

Special Mention – Edmond Was A Donkey,  Directed by Franck Dion

Special Mention – Cedric and Hope,  Directed by Pierce DAVISON

Best Performance, Female
Sponsored by  Mount Horrocks Wines

Winner – Matilda Brown for her performance in Cockatoo

Best Performance, Male
Mount Horrocks Wines

Winner – Ross Daniels for his performance in There’s No Place

Best Student Short Film, International
Sponsored by Clewers of Clare

Winner – Kiss Me Softly/Kus Me Zachtjes,  directed by  Anthony Schatteman

Special Mention – The Little Bird and The Leaf.  directed by Lena von Döhren

Best Student Short Film, Australian
Sponsored by Clewers of Clare

Winner – Good Grief.  directed by Fiona Dalwood

Special Mention – My Pet Zombie.  directed by Ashley Pollard

We were genuinely surprised and thrilled to be asked to judge the Student Film Award for the Clare Valley Film Festival. Charlotte George and I are upcoming filmmakers, and Daniel Blackman has been a supporter of the festival in Clare, so being a panelist was a first for us all.

Judging the films was an enjoyable process and I for one appreciate the amount of hard graft it takes to make a short film let alone one of quality. I was impressed not only by the variety of the films submitted but by the ability of the filmmakers.

The two films and special mentions truly earned their plaudits. Good Grief was moving and funny whilst being technically impressive. Kus Me Zachtjes was profound and thought-provoking, and . My Pet Zombie was fun and well-executed. The Little Bird And The Leaf was just delightful.

All in all, we hope we’ll be invited back again next year!  Isabella de Rosario, student award jury.

Best Narrative Driven Music Video, International

Winner – Zombie Nation.  Directed by  Sebastian Harrer

Best Narrative Driven Music Video, Australian

Winner – Gallantry.  Directed by Steve O’Connor

Audience Choice Award
Sponsored by Taylors Wines

Winner – Voices. Directed by Hussain Al-Riffaei

Special Mention – The Telegram Man. Directed by James Francis Khehtie