Liam Heyen and Cyna Strachan (producers). Winners of Best Criteria for Film for You and Me, Before and After.

Over the weekend, the highly regarded Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival rolled out the red carpet at the Gympie Pavilion to celebrate filmmakers from around the world at their inaugural Awards Ceremony

The awards were presented by a star-studded industry lineup, including Festival Patron, filmmaker and actor extraordinaire Leah Purcell and Vanessa Gazy, award-winning writer, director and creator of the Hit Series ECHOES.

Leah Purcell is no stranger to award ceremonies, having been recently nominated for 13 AACTAs for The Drover’s Wife. Shortly before the evening kicked off, Leah revealed all in a conversation with senior screen executive Mags Shole at the festival’s main stage and discussed her most recent film, her career and growing up in Queensland.

The Awards Ceremony was truly the night of nights at Heart of Gold, and celebrated the wonderful filmmakers whose works have been screening all weekend at the festival. The carefully selected industry jury had the incredibly difficult task of choosing the winners of a plethora of prestigious prizes, with cash prizes totalling $10k.

The Best Australian Film, presented by Leah Purcell, was taken out by What Was It Like, a short by Genivive Clay Smith which followed eight filmmakers with intellectual disabilities as they interviewed their parents about what it was like when doctors delivered their diagnosis. Alongside a cash prize of $2000, this film also scored a two week artist residency in the luscious hills of the Mary Valley.

A special mention was also made by the jury to the film Jarli for this award.

“A huge congratulations to all of the films who won – with such a world-class selection of films this year, the jury had an especially difficult decision ahead of them but we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate such a talented group of filmmakers,” says festival director, Jackson Lapsley-Scott.

Leah Purcell and Mags Scholes at the Leah Purcell In Conversation event.

BEST SHORT FILM
Like The Ones I Used To Know (Canada)
Directed by Annie St-Pierre
Recently divorced Denis travels to his ex-in-laws on Christmas Eve to pick up his children in this bittersweet festive short.

BEST AUSTRALIAN FILM
What Was It Like
Directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith
Eight filmmakers with intellectual disabilities interview their parents about what it was like when doctors delivered their diagnosis.

BEST STUDENT FILM sponsored by Australian Teachers of Media QLD
Sunburn 
Directed by Jaslyn Mairs
In the wake of a tragedy, Charlie takes her best friend Em on a road trip in the hope it will help them heal. Along the way they find their friendship is tested like never before.

BEST SCRIPT sponsored by Dixon Dental
You and Me, Before and After
Written and Directed by Madeleine Gottlieb
Two adult sisters who love each other learn to like each other while getting their first tattoos.

Alex Cummings (director) and Kate Sparrow (producer). Winners of Most Inspiring True Story for their film A Defiantly Happy Story.

MOST INSPIRING TRUE STORY sponsored by John Farrell Family Trust
A Defiantly Happy Story
Directed by Alex Cummings
The incredible journey of a mother and her son who was diagnosed with two rare diseases.

BEST QUEENSLAND sponsored by Jobmatch Employment
Our Greatest Escape
Directed by Loani Arman
Through an old ritual, a woman losing her mother to dementia finds a way to bring her back. Even though life moves on, there’s still magic to be had.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Zonder Meer
Directed by Meltse Van Coillie
A campsite in the summer holidays, aimless days spent in the shade of trees. But something has gone awry.

BEST YOUNG FILMMAKER (NATIONAL) sponsored by AFTRS
Bacon
Directed by Elizabethan Hogan – Mansfield State High

BEST YOUNG FILMMAKER (GYMPIE REGION) sponsored by Maxwell Walker
Move It
Directed by Ande Foster, Rebecca Gainger – Gympie Flexi School

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