Visitor numbers to this year’s third annual Winton Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival were up by 19 per cent, organisers said.
For nine days the population of the outback Queensland town of Winton swelled to more than double for the festival which featured a record crowd for the opening night screening of the new Australian film made around Winton, Goldstone.
“The festival attracted even more people this year,” festival director Mark Melrose said.
“There was record attendance on opening night of more than 320 people, with total tickets exceeding 2500, representing a 19pc growth as compared to 2015.”
Winton mayor Butch Lenton said the number of people and traffic in the town was testament to the growing interest and audience for the event.
“It was great to see particularly the students of Griffith Film School and the University of New South Wales filming throughout the region,” Cr Lenton said.
“I know the event helped Winton’s businesses and at a regional economic level helped our neighbours in outback Queensland.
“It was wonderful to see the community involvement and their increased participation at this year’s event, including the local Winton choir, fashion parade and of course our local actors and extras.”
Other highlights included the 90-year anniversary screening of “Kids Stakes”, a Fatty Finn silent film screened with a dynamic live musical accompaniment by pianist Jan Preston and local fashion parade by Winton’s very own “Dressmaker” Melissa Doyle Designs.
The fashion was inspired by local opals, dinosaurs and the outback landscape”.
Theatre owner Peter Evert starred in the short film that won the Qantas Short Film Competition.
The film called Warranty was a collective production by visiting Griffith Film School and Queensland Conservatorium of Music students.
The winner was chosen by a panel of celebrity judges that included soon to be released Aussie thriller Red Billabong stars Tim Pocock and Sophie Don and The Outback Way General Manager Helen Lewis.
The Finalist Award was presented to Plenty on her Plate by film maker, Steve Mayer, whose inspiration came from local Winton resident Stephanie, who at 81 years young leads a very active life and holds a love for heavy metal music.
The final award for the night, judged by those in the 180 strong crowd, was the Audience Award for short film Roy, by Griffith Film School students Brandon Wittchen and Luke Angelo-Roberts.
The aptly-named film starred actor Roy Billing and supporting actor Oliver Foley.
Winton’s main street and famous local shop, Searle’s Outback Store featured in the film.
