Students of the prestigious Beijing Film Academy and the Film and Television Institute of India are about to embark on a journey to the tiny town of Winton in Queensland’s outback for the fourth annual Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival.
The visit is part of the festival’s foundation partnership with Griffith Film School in a bid to further develop a burgeoning film industry in outback Queensland.
Twelve students from the Beijing Film Academy are heading to Winton with the Academy’s Vice President Professor Sun Lijun, and students from the Griffith Film School animation program.
The Beijing Film Academy is the largest and most prestigious film school in China, receiving over 20,000 applications a year.
The students will form part of a total delegation of over 50 students from Griffith Film School, the Queensland Conservatorium, the Queensland College of Art (Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art), Film and Television Institute of India and the University of New South Wales as part of their annual visit to Winton.
“The visiting film students are an integral part of the festival. They literally take over the streets of our town,” Winton Shire Council mayor, Butch Lenton said.
“The community has really welcomed them with open arms and lets the students take free rein on our locations, such as Searle’s Outback Store, which was the location of the award-winning short film, ROY, made during last year’s festival by Griffith Film School graduate Luke Angelo Roberts of Why Not Films.
Festival director, Mark Melrose, said the visit from such a prestigious film academy and international film institutes would help to develop the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival and the newly formed Vision Splendid Institute.
“We are honoured to welcome a record number of students from Griffith Film School and the University of New South Wales”.
The festival will be opened this Friday by Australian film industry critic, producer and television personality, Margaret Pomeranz.
According to creative director, Greg Dolgopolov, the intensive nine day program features immersive film writing and producing workshops, a virtual reality masterclass, free kids club, the Qantas Short Film Competition and contemporary, classic and cult Australian films, all inspired by the Australian outback.
Further information: www.visionsplendidfilmfest.com
