The State Library of NSW announced today the launch of its inaugural short film prize Shortstacks, with a total of $20,000 on offer across two categories. Shortstacks is now 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 preselected 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 otherobjects – 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,”
Dr Vallance explained that Shortstacks has been made possible thanks to the support of the State Library Foundation which, through the generosity of private donors, supports an extensive program of creative awards and research fellowships at the Library. Dr Vallance said that 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.
The judges will consider films (of no more than six minutes) in all genres – fictional, documentary, animation or experimental (eg. timelapse, drone), and entrants can shoot their films on any device including mobile phones. Shortstacks judge, celebrated Australian film critic writer, producer and TV personality Margaret Pomeranz said she is “delighted to be part of this fabulous State Library initiative for new and established filmmakers.”
“As Australians, we need to tell our own stories. What better place to go for inspiration than the State Library of NSW which holds so many of our most memorable stories, and those still to be brought to life,” Ms. Pomeranz commented “As a member of the judging panel, I’ll be looking for the most engaging, imaginative and innovative short films to give my five stars to.”
The judging panel also includes: award-winning filmmaker Michael Caufield, film and TV critic Jason Di Rosso and Tropfest’s youngest finalist Nick Ward.
There are two prize categories:
• $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
Shortstacks will be administered by the State Library of NSW Awards team.