February 19th and 20th sees the fifth installment of the Hillside Film Festival, formerly the Blue Dandenongs Young Filmmakers Festival.



Last year's event was a sell-out, so be sure to book your tickets early!



Showcasing the best short films from emerging Victorian filmmakers aged under 30, the Hillside Film Festival remains a unique voice amidst the burgeoning crowd of film festivals around the country. After receiving a swag of brilliant submissions from across the State, we can now proudly present to you an exceptional selection of the very best short films we could find, shown up on the big screen at Cameo’s stunning outdoor cinema.



Nestled in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, the Cameo Outdoor Cinema stands out from all others in Melbourne thanks to its marvelous location, with gorgeous views of the surrounding hills. To fully enjoying the setting, you can lay back in one of the Cameo’s generously-sized, complimentary

deckchairs, and bring along some bubbly and something to munch on.



THIS YEAR'S PROGRAM:



Saturday night, February 20th, will feature eight short films from some of Victoria's most exciting new filmmaking talent. Self-described 'interview artist' Sam Tool enjoys a tender moment with Rove and frightens Hamish and Andy (Interview Artist: Part 2); a flirtation in a laundromat takes an interesting turn when a gun appears in some dirty laundry (The Laundromat); things go from bad to worse for a hitchhiker in the middle of nowhere (The Last Mile); a young man with a physical disability brings a girl home for the first time (Eskimo Kiss); becoming famous is not a matter of talent, just a matter of time for aspiring actress Karla Tutt (4 Minutes Of Fame); the manager of a Texan furniture factory employs three chimps, seemingly leaving human workers redundant in a bizarre true story (Chimps Are Not Chumps); two teens grow up and grow apart in country Victoria (Negatives); and grandpa chokes on a Hungry Hippo ball in a black comedy with a heart of gold (Choke).



These filmmakers will be competing for some brilliant prizes, with awards judged by some of the best in the industry, including AFI award-winning Sandra Sciberras, Bridget Callow, and Ray Mooney. A new partnership with Aurora Foxtel also gives the finalists the opportunity to showcase their work on a national level, when it screens as part of Youth Week 2010.



This year, we are also offering a rare opportunity to see the cult underground hit Surfing 50 States up on the big screen on Friday night, February 19th. This new indie doco follows the adventures of two young Aussie mates who set out to surf all fifty states of America - no easy task, especially in the 32 states without an ocean coastline. Jonno and Stefan manage to achieve their goal by any means possible, whether it be surfing the frigid waves of Alaska; in a Wizard Of Oz' play in Kansas; being towed by a cowboy in Texas; or surfing down a 15-foot pile of potatoes in Idaho. SurfingWorld magazine has described Surfing 50 States as "the best surfing film I’ve seen in ages’’ - despite the fact the boys can hardly surf!



As always, the screening program will be complimented by a range of arts, music and more. There will be kick-on parties at the Bluestone Bar on both nights, a garden party in the gorgeous gardens at Earthly Pleasures Organic café on Saturday, and as much live music, roving performers and tall green forests as we can fit into one little festival in a hilltop village.



BOOKING AND VENUES:



Cameo Cinemas:

1628 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave

Ph: 9754 7844

www.cameocinemas.com.au

Screening Events:

$19 Full Price / $14 Concession

Entry to see bands (b/w 7-9pm):

$2, or free with screening ticket purchase



Earthly Pleasures Organic Cafe and Bluestone Bar:

1627 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave

Table Bookings:

Ph: 9754 7899