Presented by Wānaka

The entries are coming in hot for this year’s Monster Children Short Film Awards.

This year’s theme is regeneration. There are no limits to the interpretation of this theme, and by the looks of the entries coming in, everyone is doing a splendid job of illustrating unique ways of what regeneration means to them. If you win, you get a $10,000 cash prize, Sony hardware equipment worth $10,000, an all-expenses-paid trip to Wānaka, New Zealand, plus production costs to co-direct your short film idea with Monster Children Films, and the local film industry. It’s a big deal. Here’s the creme de la creme of the submissions so far.

Where The Dreamings Come From by Matt Deavin

Where The Dreamings Come From documents the visit of the Areyonga School back to Uluru and Mutitjulu, where elders pass onto the younger generation their Tjukurpa and share the dreamings of their ancestors. The regeneration of old culture into the new. Spot on with the theme, visuals, and an important message worth sharing.

The Invincible Summer By Oisin Tammas & Evan Maragkoudakis

Although this one comes in above the ten-minute limit, we like The Invisible Summer because it presents a unique interpretation of the theme that is worthwhile highlighting. The Invincible Summer follows a group of young people teaching refugee children to skate in Athens. The film, which calls on the Algerian-French philosopher Albert Camus’ quote for its title, reminds us how even in the ‘deepest winters’ there is still an enduring light that guides us through struggle, as the small utopias formed through skateboarding offer regeneration for societies in turmoil.

Cry of the Glossy By Tim Brown

Taking us on a journey through the forested hills of NSW Southern Highlands, poet and Gunai woman, Kirli Saunders, reflects on her efforts to save the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo, which holds a special place in her heart and culture. A story of hope, regeneration and teaching in how we can best manage our land.

Old Beat By Charlie Elson

Another unique take on the theme, we like Old Beat because it’s endearing. This film is about choosing life. It breaks the stereotypes of growing old, and shows that with courage, we can regenerate ourselves at any age, at any time.

Rebirth Of A Reef By Shaun Wolfe

Rebirth Of A Reef is another environmental sort of take on this years theme. This film follows the regneration of the reefs of Palos Verdes to their former glory, enabling the restoration of fish, invertebrates, and algae that were otherwise lost to a landslide burial.

Submissions close on May 14th, 2023 so get your entry in at monsterchildren.com/mcsfa