Melbourne, already Australia’s cultural capital, has just added a new feather to its bow with the confirmation that it now officially has the largest film competition in the entire Southern Hemisphere.
That’s because the Melbourne International Film Festival, which was already the Southern Hemisphere’s longest-running film, will now offer the Southern Hemisphere’s richest feature film prize.
For its special 70th anniversary edition this August, MIFF will unveil the annual MIFF Film Competition: its flagship prize will be the Best Film Award, valued at a massive $140,000 (supported by the Victorian Government via Film Victoria). With a particular focus on emerging directors, the prize will celebrate filmmakers on the rise.
As many as ten films will be in official selection for the Best Film Award, with any type of feature-length film eligible for inclusion. All films will be Australian premieres of director’s first or second feature-length works. A jury comprised of prominent international and national guests will then decide which film walks away with the award.
“The Competition will recognise and amplify the new, the next, the breakthrough and the best in-screen from Australia and across the globe, bringing incredible films and filmmakers to Melbourne – and making MIFF truly unmissable in 2022 and beyond.” MIFF Artistic Director Al Cossar said.
This is great news for filmmakers, now in with a chance to earn a life-changing amount of money, but also for Melbourne cinema: by having its own prestigious film prize, it brings MIFF in line with Cannes, Venice, and Berlin (although it’s definitely a long way off competing with those three for clout).
Before any Sydneysiders doth protest, it should be noted that Sydney Film Festival already has a competition and prize, but MIFF is more than doubling the amount of money being offered.
Love Entertainment?
Get the latest Entertainment news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox.
For more on this topic, follow the Film & TV Observer.
