Peace on earth: good time to start an online film festival

Peace on earth, good time to start an online film festival
A new short film festival to be launched in 2007 is calling for entries. www.campfire.net.au is an
online film festival exploring matters of faith, religion and spirituality. Unlike other short film
festivals, it offers a uniquely Australian perspective on faith. It showcases a new selection of five
films every quarter.
www.campfire.net.au is as much about discussion as it is about film. Each festival is launched
with two leading essays written by people from diverse religious traditions within Australia.
These essays reflect on the meaning of the films and an online discussion forum follows.
“After the mad rush that leads up to Christmas, it’s a good time to think about the bigger issues
in life,” says festival founder, Richard Leigh. “I wanted to create a space where people could
come together and think about these issues through the medium of short film. It seems the
technology is now available to do that.” The campfire metaphor, he suggests, is about coming
together around something intriguing to watch, and talking about it.
Richard is a documentary filmmaking graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts in
Melbourne, and also a Christian. He recognises that, in the absence of discussions about faith,
many communities in Australia are in danger of retreating. Richard suggests that a healthy
conversation about our similarities and differences may help avoid a slide into fear and hatred.
Short films are now being selected for the official launch early in 2007.
www.campfire.net.au hosts films free of charge
all genres are considered for selection
criteria for the best five are based on the film’s ability to generate thoughtful discussion
about faith, spirituality or religion
open to all faiths – eg. Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism – including ‘nonreligious’
beliefs and secular humanism
films must be of 7 minutes duration or less
other basic terms and conditions apply (refer website)
prior to launch, films can be submitted by posting to:
PO Box 386, Brunswick, Vic 3056 (VHS, miniDV, DVCPro, BetaSP, DVD accepted)
after official www.campfire.net.au launch, an online uploading facility in the style of
YouTube will become active
deadline for first 2007 festival: 26 January 2007
www.campfire.net.au is not-for-profit
For more information, contact Richard Leigh:
e: richard@campfire.net.au
m: 0413 182 082