Winning films celebrated at the COscars Youth Film Festival

Published on 31 October 2023

And the COscars goes to…

The fourth COscars Youth Film Festival was celebrated on Sunday night in Castlemaine at the Theatre Royal.

With its biggest attendance to date, the audience was treated to a vast range of short films from young filmmakers.

And the winners are:

Best Snapshot (8-12 years)

2 Snakes by Indiana Blaise

Best Snapshot (13-18 years)

My Life is Perfect by Lucia Amati

Nothing Will Die by Thea Sydes

Best Short (8-12 years)

The Spy and the Thief by Aika Crossman

Best Short (13-18 years)

Alone by Clementine Dernelley

Best Short Film (14-25 years)

The Zombie Apocalypse of Fern Hill by Ameliah Melville and Harper Miller

COscars winner, Thea Sydes said it was fun being part of the COscars, “It was an honour to have won and I’m really grateful,” they said.

Thea sends a message to other young people thinking of entering the COscars in the future, “Go for it, it’s fun making films, it's fun watching them and it's fun being with other film makers.”

“The COscars was a great example of the creativity of Castlemaine and the supportive community that we have,” said Thea.

The films were judged by local film and theatre industry professionals Kyla Brettle, Kirstie Babbage, Sam Hoffman and Alyssa Roberts as well as Youth Advisory Group member, Salina Carlile.

The judges praised the high standard of quality and creativity seen this year.

“Judging the COscars was a great experience - I was blown away by some of the beautiful, thought provoking work submitted,” said Kyla Brettle.

“I feel this opportunity for youth expression is really going to make itself be heard,” she said.

The COscars Youth Film Festival is coordinated by Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG) and FReeZA Committee which include local volunteers aged 12 to 25 years.

The event is an initiative of Council, supported by Theatre Royal Castlemaine and the Victorian Government through the Engage! and FReeZA programs.

View the films online on the Mount Alexander Shire Youth YouTube channel or on Council’s youth website at www.mountalexandershireyouth.com.au/events.

COscar winning filmmakers received an award and a cash prize of up to $150.

Pictured left to right above: Thea Sydes, Lucia Amati, Aika Crossman, Indiana Blaise, Miriana Crossman, Ameliah Melville, Eva Melville, Harper Miller and Otis Miller