Low-budget short film wins prize

FILMMAKER Julian Cullen is proof that all you need is a good idea and the talent to deliver it to audiences on the big screen to launch your career.

Port Shorts Film Festival organisers this week chose the 20-year-old student as the 2016 Port Shorts First Finalist Filmmaker for his post-apocalyptic road movie with a difference, Asha.

Mr Cullen, who co-wrote the screenplay with sister Elizabeth as a farewell to their hometown of Cairns before relocating to attend film school, had a budget of just $150.

“My sister and I were preparing to leave Cairns and wanted to make a film before we left, so we were going through our favourite films and we had the post-apocalyptic theme,” he said.

“We were looking at poetry by T.S. Eliot and that gave us the colour palette we wanted. Then we spent a week writing together and shot it the week after.”

Mr Cullen said he was excited to be chosen as the 2016 Port Shorts First Finalist.

“Winning this prize has made the world feel a bit smaller and I’m really looking forward to attending the film festival and learning more from the judges and other filmmakers,” he said.

Port Shorts Film Festival director Alison George said filmmakers still had until September 30 to get their entries in and be in with a chance to share in more than $15,000 in cash and prizes.

“We’ve been delighted with the quality of entries received so far but we’d always love more great films to choose from ...,” she said.

For all the details on how to enter Port Shorts, go to portshorts.com. Entries must be submitted by the festival’s final September 30 deadline.