Film festival brings R U OK? message to country Australia

Film fanatics from across the country joined Broken Hill locals under a blanket of stars at the 3rd annual Perfect Light Film Festival held on November 2.

Viewers enjoyed 12 short films created by a range of technically diverse filmmakers from across Australia.

Jake Taylor was awarded first prize with his short film ‘Pub_Talk’, while locals Annette Herd and Jason King came second with their film 'Flawed', followed by Melbourne filmmaker Tom Vogel in third place with his film 'One Second'.

Special guest judges including Underbelly star Firass Dirani and R U OK? Ambassador’s The Living Room's Barry Du Bois and NITV Executive Editor Rhanna Collins were given the difficult task of selecting winners from a range of categories which included the R U OK? Emerging Filmmaker Award.

Charlotte McLaverty was awarded the R U OK? Emerging Filmmaker award with her short film ‘Social’.

Ms Collins and Mr Dirani said it was difficult for the trio to pick a winner with so many quality films on show.

"The quality of production was really high and that was quite impressive," Ms Collins said.

"There was some amazing storytelling and just simple and effective ways of drawing the audience in, it was really challenging to pick the winner," Mr Dirani said.

Personal stories from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that show how being asked “Are you OK?” can help during a tough time were also screened. These stories, developed as part of R U OK?’s ‘Stronger Together’ campaign, encouraged everyone to support mob who might be going through a tough time.

Festival Producer Meg Pascoe said herself, Festival Director Steve Bastoni and the crew were over the moon with the local turnout on the night.

Ms Pascoe said it's been the best turnout the festival has had, and were amazed with the beautiful weather they were gifted just in time for the Sturt Park screening.