National green screen film competition open to kids & adults with no experience; tools & tutorials online

Green screen technology is used to bring films like Harry Potter and The Avengers to life and create other-worldly action and scenery. The special-effects technique involves the filmmaker shooting a subject against a green background, using editing software to add in a background of their choosing.

The simplicity of green screen technology makes the Green Screen Film Fest accessible to everyone. A green screen can be achieved by hanging a green piece of fabric on the back of a bedroom door and the software is available in most editing programs such as iMovie, Premier and Final Cut Pro.

The Green Screen Film Fest offers novice and professional filmmakers an opportunity to use green screen technology in their own short films.

Brought to life by Jonny Pasvolsky and Jodie Manning, the new Australian film competition asks participants to create a short film based on the phrase ‘a moment of light in the dark,’ using the green screen for at least half of the film’s running time. The phrase can be interpreted literally, philosophically, spiritually, comically or dramatically – the only limit is your imagination.

Without the need for expensive equipment or perfect filming locations, the competition encourages both child and adult filmmakers to experiment with the technology from wherever they are – even if that happens to be in lockdown. The green screen is a location chameleon and lets you travel to any corner of the globe without leaving your lounge room – all you need is a little creativity! For Subiaco locals, a pop-up green screen studio has been set up to assist those filming. Open to the public, it will be in use from September 4 until the close of competition.

The festival is focused on funding a program that will supply green screens and equipment to encourage the Indigenous community in Western Australia and other states and territories to enter the festival.

The finalists will be selected by a judging panel of industry professionals including Kriv Stenders (Red Dog), writer/producer Mike Barker (Family Guy), actress Susan Prior (Animal Kingdom), actress Louise Barnes (Surviving Evil) and actor, Jim Titus (Pretty Little Liars).

The shortlisted films will be premiered to the public through an online awards show on Friday the 30th October, with an invitation-only VIP awards show held at the WhiteSpace Studio in Fremantle on the same night. The VIP awards show will feature interactive green screen spaces and a screening of the online award show.

Competition entry costs $35 for adults and $20 for juniors, with entry closing on September 25th 2020.

Budding filmmakers should jump online, order a green screen and access the Filmmaker Tools, Tutorials and Location Gallery available on greenscreenfest.com.

Subiaco Green Screen Pop-Up Studio
Fri, 12-5pm & Sat, 11am-3pm
1/144 Rokeby Road, Subiaco

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