Sunday (November 13) saw the second Online Premiere of Camp Australia’s Rocketeers Film Festival – a showcase of the best and brightest short animation films by 5,500 young Australians aged 6–12. In partnership with StarTime and the Children’s International Film Festival, the initiative was spearheaded by Camp Australia, Australia’s largest Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) provider to create an exciting term break for children across Australia.
During Camp Australia’s Rocketeers Spring holiday program, children were taught how to write, create and animate films and then developed their own short animation films at services around Australia. This year, over 5,500 children created over 1,300 films, more than doubling last year’s participation. Camp Australia created the Rocketeers Film Festival last year with a vision to give children a platform to share their stories and feelings with a national audience.Camp Australia, Chief Executive Officer, Warren Jacobson, said the Film Festival was designed to provide children with a sense of fun, adventure and a novel way to express ideas, imagination and emotion. “Last year the children saw first-hand the power of film to express how they feel; more than doubling the participation and number of films submitted shows how strongly this has resonated with children and families. To say we are thrilled would be an understatement. The second Rocketeers Film Festival has inspired children, through the art of storytelling, to use this powerful medium to express themselves while, at the same time, learn the techniques of writing, animation and film making.” Mr Jacobson commented “It’s clear from the standard of last years’ entries and the growth in interest this year, that the magic of the movie screen is a universal language which engages children and enables them to communicate creatively. The Rocketeers Film Festival is a novel way to teach children to think outside the box, problem solve and work as a team all at the same time.”
“Once you give children the storytelling tools to express themselves and they feel supported to experiment, they just fly! We’re so proud that our partnership with Camp Australia for the Rocketeers Film Festival has provided a platform for many children to shine.” Lindsay and Jo Moss, from Camp Australia’s key partner StarTime, commented.
“We’re so proud to be partnering with The Rocketeers Film Festival again, showcasing the incredible creativity from children’s films at CHIFF and further amplifying their stories and imaginations to be seen across the country.” Thomas Caldwell, from the Children’s International Film Festival (CHIFF), commented.
Mr Jacobson said that expert filmmakers, animators and industry professionals from across Australia offered words of encouragement and praise for every child with a passion for sharing stories through film.
“Well done on creating so many awesome short films. Animation is such an amazing technique that allows you to create entire worlds from nothing. It also allows you to explore and learn so many different things.” Nathan Robinson, expert Animator from Melbourne commented.
“I encourage you all to follow your passions, to do the things that interest you and excite you. If telling stories through making films is your thing, then you should definitely keep going. Congratulations to all the children who shared their stories at the Rocketeers Film Festival!” Colin Skyba, experienced Australian Film Director, commented.
“A huge congratulations to all the young filmmakers that have submitted their stories this year in the Rocketeers Film Festival, it’s an amazing thing to be able to tell a story visually to an audience. It’s a huge achievement that everyone has taken on. I’d encourage you all to keep making films and keep making stories. “ Mitch Kennedy, Australian Film Director, commented
Mr Jacobson said that the creatives, producers and directors from Eric Tom & Bruce were more than happy to help Camp Australia and encourage the kids to have fun while exploring their creativity in the best medium there is – film!” Awards were handed out on the big night for Best Film, Best Story, Best Character Design, Best Set Design, Best Sound Design, Best Animation Sequence, Most Creative Figure Transformation, Smoothest Animation, Best Cinematography, Best Voiceover and Most Outstanding Moment.
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