Stars Align for Spectacular 2021 Port Shorts Virtual Film Festival

The 2021 Port Shorts Virtual Film Festival celebrated a spectacular online showcase of short films from our own backyard and around the world on Saturday night with legendary Aussie actor and Festival Ambassador Stephen Curry announcing the worthy winners.

Film buffs were treated to a free small screen smorgasbord from October 16-23 with the Port Shorts Virtual Film Festival featuring 53 amazing short films across the Open, Local, Music Video and Youth categories.

Perth filmmaker Poppy van Oorde-Grainger collected the $5000 major cash prize for her mesmerising production Two Sands which depicts the struggles of a South Sudanese student on his first day in high school in Australia as he bridges the gap between where he has come from and where he is.

New Caledonia production 52 Meters Later earned filmmakers Frederic Rabaud and Clotilde Gourdon the Jury prize from festival organisers for their futuristic telling of an old tale passed through the generations in traditional islander language.
Zak Marrinan’s hilarious Animal Work won over the crowd to be crowned Audience Choice winner.

Port Douglas local Yan Aung Soe was awarded the Local Filmmaker prize for his story of two tourists making friends after being caught by closed borders during COVID-19, Wings At North.

Victorian student Ruby Taylor received $2500 in equipment from Sony for winning the Port Shorts Young Filmmaker Award with her stop-motion mini masterpiece The Girl Who Cried Sick.

Melbourne filmmaker Lucy Knox collected a second Port Shorts Music Video Award for her touching portrayal of the Clare Bowditch love song If I Could Give You.

This year also saw the launch of PS Stories, a revealing series of discussions with filmmakers Hayden Bevis and Lachlan Millsom, Radheya Jegatheva, Abi Muir, Lucy Knox, Dean Miller, Jon Coghill, Vasco Gonsalves and Steeve Body and Janne Rytkonen and Ida Vauhkonen giving fascinating insights into their screen industry journeys that all filmmakers can learn from.

The festival also featured virtual workshops with industry experts XM2 (drone), Steeve Body (sound design), Ashley Davies (producing) and Festival Ambassador Kier Shorey (screenwriting).

Port Shorts Film Festival Director Alison George praised filmmakers for producing such quality short films despite the impacts of the global pandemic on the arts community.

“This was without the doubt the best line-up of short films we’ve showcased in the history of Port Shorts which is a reflection of how many talented filmmakers are out there committed to sharing their stories regardless of what challenges they face…
On behalf of Port Shorts organisers we’d like to thank all the filmmakers who contributed to the success of this year’s virtual festival and we look forward to welcoming everyone back when Port Shorts returns to the tropical paradise of Port Douglas for our live event on October 14-15 next year.”
Port Shorts Film Festival Director Alison George

Curry, who hosts the live event held in idyllic Rex Smeal Park with the Coral Sea and Daintree Rainforest as the backdrop, said he and fellow Victorian-based Festival Ambassador Matt Hearn (Wolf Creek & Rogue producer) already have their bags packed for Port Shorts 2022.

“Hearny and I have been dreaming about floating down the Mossman River through the rainforest on a lilo and enjoying Port Shorts under the stars again for a while now so good luck trying to stop us getting to Port Douglas for next year’s festival…I’ve already got my favourite double-pluggers and tropical shirt packed and recommend anyone who loves short films and good times does the same.”
Aussie actor and Festival Ambassador Stephen Curry