It was standing room only last night at the Jindabyne Cinema for the final screening and awards presentation of Australia's Highest short film festival.
This years festival was a huge success, with the final show in Jindabyne screening to "an absolute jam packed Jindy Cinema" says Festival Director, Anthony Trovatello. " There was a special vibe and a party like atmosphere. People were sitting in the aisles, standing along the back and we even had to turn people away at the door!"

Last night's screeening also determined the final winners across all categories and it was a side splitting comedy from over the Tasman called "Half A Horse" by Dean Hewison of Wellington, New Zealand that won the hearts of the crowd and more importantly winning the REBEL SPORT BEST FILM AWARD and a cool $2000 Cash!

"This is an outstanding and quality production which has it all! A great story, brilliant sound, cinematography, high quality production values and is so funny that you cry with laughter. This film has also been very creative in representing the 2008 theme of LIGHT" says Anthony
A total of 16 films were selected as part of the finals, each with a very different and diverse interpretation of LIGHT shown across a variety of styles including deep drama, hillarious comedy, educational mockumentary, animations and snow/ sport films.

At the Flake Film Festival, the audience is given the prestigious job of voting for the winners across 4 of the major categories including BEST FILM OVERALL. The remaining categories are decided by a separate judging panel with members spanning a vareity of industries, experience, age and opinion!
A MASSIVE CASH AND PRIZE POOL WORTH $15,000 was awarded!!!
The 2008 Flake FIlm Festival winners are as follows- CONGRATULATIONS!
"REBEL SPORT BEST FILM OVERALL"
" HALF A HORSE"
Produced/ Directed by Dean Hewison of Wellington New Zealand
A side splitting comedy that had the crowds in fits of laughter! This hillariuos short shows how running a red light can cause you to hit a horse, become the horse, lead you into armed robbery, meet the girl of your dreams, save the that girl and get caught by the cops!- all in one film!
PRIZE: $2000
12 Month Subscription to FilmInk Magazine

"BEST YOUTH FILM" – (21 yrs and Under)
"IN FEW MINDS"
Produced/ Directed by Alastair Wharton of Cooma, NSW
An extremely well scripted, clever & funny film about how a teenage boy deals with his problems and quirky interactions with the world and people in it. He finds that through talking to himself & not boxing away his issues and thoughts he can better express himself and emotions.
PRIZE: $500 Cash
12 Month subcrition to FilmInk Magazine
(Special mention: "Robot Rock" by Guy Verge Wallace of Sydney, NSW)


"NORDICA BEST SNOW/ SPORT FILM"
"NO HAT, NOT PLAY"
Directed/ Produced by Sean Balmer of Sydney/JIndabyne, NSW
This film shows the wolrd of skiing & snowboarding in a whole new light! With outstanding footage from Australia & overseas, featuring creative new cinematography & an perfectly edited- This is a snow story that has yet to be told!
PRIZE: Nordica "Ignition" Twin Tip Skis and performance ski boots
XTM/ RIZEN Gloves, Socks and accessories
PROTEC Helmet
Dragon Optics (Googles)
SHERPA Thermal wear
(Special mention: A day in the light of snowboarding" by Brew Robinson of Sydney/ France)

"BEST LOCAL FILM"- Presented by KOSCIUSZKO NATIONAL PARKS & WILDLIFE SERVICE
(Snowy/ Sth East/ Capital Region)
"EDDIE LIGHT BEERS"
Produced/ Directed by Richard Livingston Jones of Jindabyne, NSW
Poor Eddie was drinking too many beers, as a result suffered severe medical problems which has now forced to only drink light beers- problems occur when somebody spikes Eddie's beer!
PRIZE: $500
(Special metion: "Gary" By Darren Teasdale of Jindabyne, NSW)

"FUNNIEST FILM" - Presented by Sundeck Hotel, Perisher Valley
"HALF A HORSE"
Produced/ Directed by Dean Hewison of Wellington, New zealand
Also winning the major prize of Best Film Overall- Half A Horse not just tickles the funny bone- it rattles n shakes it till you cry with laughter! Who would of thought that running a red light could be so funny!
PRIZE: $500 Cash
12 Month Subscription to FilmInk Magazine
(Special mention: "Genesis.51" By Andrew Dorn of Hoppers Crossing,VIC)
"JUDGES CHOICE" AWARD FOR BEST FILM
"THE WANDERER"
Produced/ Directed by Jeff Didlick
An intriguing narrative which explores the thoughts, feelings, emotions and state of mind of a young man who is in a coma for 30 years- he is living in a world between the living & the dead.
prize: $500 Cash
12 Month Subscription to FilmInk Magazine

(Special mention: "Subject" By Adam Grant, Ben Wade, Miguel Gallagher of ACT)


"AVID BEST EDITING AWARD"
"SHADOWS OF THE PAST"
Produced/ Directed by Mikaela Shwer/ Raphael Cottier of Byron Bay, NSW
Edited by Mikaela Shwer
A moving story about an adult man (Ben) who wakes up one morning to find he is being haunted by the memory of his childhood friend who sadly died when they were children. Ben however never told anybody the full story & he now must confront his actions of the past before he can move forward.

PRIZE: AVID Media Composer complete editing package
12 Month Subscription to FilmInk Magazine
(Special mention: "The Tourist" By Matthew Jenkin of Sydney, NSW
"No Hat, No Play" By Sean Balmer of Sydney/ Jindabyne, NSW)
"RODE MICROPHONES AWARD FOR BEST SOUND/ MUSIC COMPOSITION"
"PORTRAIT OF A STRANGER
" Produced/ Directed by Matthew Knowles/ Rob Leggo of Sydney NSW
SOUND COMPOSITION: Daniel Placido/ Rob Leggo
A compelling film about a decrepid old man who searches for the truth. Facing many challenges and a moment of despair, it is the innocence of a child that guides him to the light.

PRIZE: RODE MICROPHONE NTG-3 professional Audio kit including;
Professional NTG-3 Shotgun mic, Boompole, Shockmount, grips and windshield & more
(Special mention: "Half a Horse" By Dean Hewison of Wellington , NZ
"Robot Rock" By guy Verge Wallace of Sydney, NSW)
"LET THERE BE LIGHT" AWARD FOR BEST USE OF LIGHT (2008 THEME)
"MY SHORTEST ADVENTURE"
Produced/ Directed by Luke Blair of Dunlop. ACT
A man is woken in the middle of the night by a mysterious light, he decides to follow it in a quest for it's source.

PRIZE:$250 Cash
12 Month Subscription to FilmInk Magazine
"EARTH CARE" AWARD FOR BEST ENVIRONMENTAL MESSAGE- Presented by Sundeck Hotel, Perisher Valley
"WASTE NOT, WANT NOT"
Produced/ Directed by Damian Kent of Stones Corner, QLD
A comedy about a wasteful man who breaks down on a secluded dirt road & soon regrets his wasteful ways!

PRIZE:$500 Cash
"BLAKE McGRATH TRIBUTE AWARD AND JUNIOR SNOWSPORT SPONSORSHIP"
The Recipient of the 2008 Blake McGrath Tribute Award & Snow-Sports sponsorship was also announced. The main award went to 13 year old Jindabyne skier, Adam Kronet. The award was passed on by last years recipient, Kim Wellings- who made a wonderful and inspirational speech when passing on the award to Adam along with Blake's father Bill McGrath. Adam will recieve a saewson lift pass to Perisher Blue or Thredbo plus riding equipment from KUU, Dragon, Protec, XTM, Rizen, Dakine, Sherpa, Columbia as well as ski/ board tuning from Rebel Sport and a 4 term trampolining pass at the Jindabyne Sport & Recreation Centre.
Though the premiere Snowy Mountains screenings have all but wrapped up, this is not the end of the 2008 Flake FIlm Festival explains Anthony, "This years festival was so good that we can't not show these films to a wider audience- we are currently investigating the opportunites and costs of taking the fest on the road- screening at other towns and cities across this great land".
The Flake Team would like to especially "THANK all the wonderful filmmakers, audience's, volunteers, sponsors and the people of the Snowy Mountains for their tremendous support.
Planning for the 2009 fest is already underway with some positive changes on the horizon and of course a brand new theme- so keep an eye out for more info in early 09!
Till then, happy filmmaking (Or watching!!!)
** For media correspondance, interviews with organisors/ filmmakers/ audience or for media pics, please email festival director: info@flakefilmfestival.com
Pics will be available on website from Thursday 18th Sept- if you need earlier, please email.

WE WILL UPDATING OUR WEBSITE CONTIUALLY OVE THE NEXT 2- 4 WEEKS WITH MORE INFO FROM FEST, FILMMAKERS, MEDIA ARTICLES, INTERVIEWS AND EVEN WATCH THE WINNING FILMS FOR YOURSELF!

THANKS FOR THE BEST FEST YET!!!

**WE are currently expering a delay in resetting our email list- we apologise if you have asked to be removed from mailing list- this will be done as of September 20th, We sincerley apologise for any delays and inconvenience caused***
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Thank you!



Thank You

Anthony Trovatello (Chook)
Founder/ Director
Flake Film Festival

Ph: 02 6457 1311
Fax: 02 6457 2277
Mob: 0412 294 268
Email: info@flakefilmfestival.com
Website: www.flakefilmfestival.com

PO BOX 1047
Jindabyne
NSW, 2627
Australia