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By KYLIE O’CONNELL

Dendy Cinema screens lit up with talent as the Canberra Short Film Festival took over from the 16 to 18 October (2008).

Now in its 13th year, the Canberra Short Film Festival is focused on high quality drama and animation.

SilverSun Pictures has taken over the co-ordination of the event for 2008 and festival organiser, Kris Kerehona, believes that the standards are rising every year.

“The films over the years have improved in terms of production value, especially this year,” he said. “Throughout the years we have had gems that have gone on to win major film awards and even Oscars. With the quality of films that we received this year, I'd say it is in now in direct competition with Tropfest."

The ACT Government is the principal supporter of the event and has contributed a considerable amount of funding to allow the event to take place.

The University of Canberra also plays a vital role in sponsoring the festival and Kerehona explained how UC has broadened their role in 2008.

"The University of Canberra has been sponsoring for the past eight years or so and that was originally through the communications faculty," he said.

"But this year they have realised the potential and the value of supporting the festival and the university marketing department are now one of our main sponsors."

UC is not only concerned with administration, but the creative side also. Multimedia production student Benoit McCollough entered the competition this year and thinks the festival is a great networking opportunity. A still image from her film "Samson' s Lemons" is pictured.

“The Canberra Short Film Festival is good because it gets the community of filmmakers together,” he said. “It's a big event that goes over three or four days and creates great opportunities for exposure.”

McCollough was part of a team of six who entered the festival with 'Samson's Lemons', a tale of a little boy and his lemon stand. It is one of many entrants from all over the country.

Entertainment aside, the festival also has a strong competitive streak with cash prize incentives. Kerehona explained just how difficult it will be to find the finalists for 2008.

“We have and initial judging process where we filter the films and then create the shortlist,” he said.

“Then when they're screened at Dendy on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night, it goes to an audience vote. At the Saturday final, three industry judges will select the top film from that final list. It’s going to be tough.”

There are around 50 entrants from Canberra this year with each crew consisting of six to ten filmmakers. That means up to 500 people from Canberra are involved in the festivities.

The prestige of this year’s Canberra Short Film Festival is pointing to a bright future for what has become an important date on Canberra’s entertainment calendar.