The 2019 Port Shorts Film Festival has shone the spotlight on the best short films from our own backyard and around the world in a hugely successful celebration of the future of filmmaking.More than 1200 film enthusiasts gathered under the stars and swaying palm trees of Port Douglas’ iconic Rex Smeal Park on October 25-26, the magnificent Coral Sea and Daintree Rainforest the backdrop for a magical two nights of short films on the big screen.

Festival Ambassador and MC Stephen Curry described the vibe of Port Shorts as like nothing he has experienced at a film festival before.

“The sense of anticipation from the crowd being in such a beautiful location and then seeing their reactions of pure joy when they realise what they’re watching is probably the best showcase of short films on the planet is a real pleasure to experience,” Curry said.

“Myself and fellow festival Judges and Ambassadors Matt Hearn and Kier Shorey are involved in this festival all year not just because it’s such a fabulous and fun event to be part of, but this festival is all about providing opportunities for emerging filmmakers and giving them the platform and skills to pursue their dreams in the industry.

“That’s why so many talented filmmakers are engaging with the festival now and coming up to be a part of it and why some of the best technicians in the industry volunteer their time to be involved each year as well.’’

Almost 1000 people enjoyed the Port Shorts Drone Awards, Port Shorts Local Filmmaker Awards and Port Shorts Open Filmmaker Awards on Saturday October 26 with Perth wunderkid Radheya Jegatheva winning the $5000 major prize for the third time with the worldwide premiere of his haunting animation The Quiet.

The Port Shorts Local Filmmaker Awards was an amazing showcase of local talent with James “Fry” Allen’s hilarious The King earning him the accolade along with plenty of laughs while one of Far North Queensland’s finest professional camera technicians Cam McGrath wowed Port Shorts Drone Award judges with Smile. Always.

Tumoulin filmmaker/farmer Matthew Blythe’s tearjerker Sea Rogue earned the Jury Prize with Adrian Rayner’s apocalyptic Sanctuary winning Peoples’ Choice.

The inaugural Port Primary Challenge and world-class Port Shorts Young Filmmaker Awards demonstrated the depths of talent and imagination Australian audiences can look forward to with the next generation on Friday October 25, the most creative clips from around the globe featuring afterwards with the Port Shorts Music Video Awards.

Mossman State School was crowned the inaugural winner of the Port Primary Challenge with their film karandal and the new category proving so successful festival organisers are keen to invite national and international entries from next year.

Cairns teenager Thaine Wood was a deserved winner of the Port Shorts Young Filmmaker Awards with his beautifully-framed me – a film about self while Melbourne filmmaker Lucy Knox impressed as winner of the Port Shorts Music Video Awards with her clip I Am Not Afraid.

The Emerging Artist Award was presented to Imogen Daly for her short film Broken Parts while Vasco Gonsalves received a special award and will spend a day working with festival special guest, acclaimed sound designer Steeve Body, for his film Missing.

Abi Muir picked up the most popular Shout Out Award for her fun music video Heebeejeebies.

Overall more than $15,000 in cash and prizes was distributed to filmmakers at the 2019 Port Shorts Film Festival making it one of the most rewarding in Australia.

Organisers also hosted the Port Shorts Masterclass Series in the days leading up to the festival, with more than 100 emerging filmmakers attending workshops conducted by film industry experts Steeve Body (sound design), Lawrence Woodward (stunt co-ordination), Mary Eggleston (acting), Kier Shorey (screenwriting), Dr Dean Miller (conservation filming) and XM2 (drones) as well as a full-day Youth Masterclass for Far North Queensland school students.

Masterclass Series organiser and Port Shorts Young Filmmaker Awards and Music Video Awards Festival Director Elliot Davidson said providing emerging filmmakers with access to the skills and knowledge of industry experts will always be a feature of Port Shorts.

“We put a lot of time and effort into bringing the best in the business to Far North Queensland and our Masterclass Series experts love working with our Port Shorts filmmaking community as they genuinely appreciate the opportunity,” Davidson said.

“As the world leaders in drone technology for the film industry, XM2 work on pretty much every major international film production from Star Wars to 007 and and receive hundreds of requests to participate in film festivals around the world but they only do workshops at one festival and that’s ours so that tells us we’re doing something worthwhile.”

Port Shorts Film Festival Director Ali George paid tribute to everyone involved for making this year’s festival such a success on all levels.

“We had record entries, record attendance, record sponsorship and our best show yet this year and that all comes down to not only the efforts of organisers, Ambassadors and participating industry experts but the support of our volunteers, sponsors, suppliers and the local community who come out to support us each year,” George said.

“It takes a village to put on a festival the size and quality of Port Shorts and we really appreciate the way our local community and the wider filmmaking community embraces Port Shorts.”

The 2020 Port Shorts Film Festival will be held at Rex Smeal Park on October 16-17. To stay up to date with all the latest news visit portshorts.com.