Young film-makers put on a show with eco-documentary competition

Mark Polon's documentary on the Glass House Mountains was one of many entries to the young film-maker competition

Animatronic Lego, inflatable wildlife, amazing videography and local knowledge were combined with passion for our natural environment at the premiere screening and award presentation for the Sunshine Coast Council’s Young Eco-documentary film competition.

The awards night, part of the Horizon Festival, was held at the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Theatrette.

Environment Councillor Jenny McKay said budding young documentary makers explored the Mary River, the Glass House Mountains, local creeks and rainforests, filming native birdlife, reptiles and flora across the Sunshine Coast.

“I congratulate all of our entrants on their amazing work in capturing our remarkable natural environment,” Cr McKay said.

“There is no doubt we have discovered some amazing young stars in the making, and I applaud the creativity and enthusiasm they’ve demonstrated in producing these wonderful films.”

The films were judged by a panel of three judges with a group of year five students from Ananda Marga River School - Grishka Trolliet, Chloe Mead, Tom Gicquel and Jacob Samorowski - taking out top honours for their film titled The Hidden World of Fungi.

The evening also featured an exclusive rendition of well-known local composers and musicians Linsey Pollak and Lizzie O’Keefe’s Dangerous Songs.

Linsey and Lizzie donated one of the prizes - an original “dangerous score” composed specifically for the film.

The lucky winner was Mia Tensen (year 7) from Little Mountain for her beautiful film Discovering the Life of Birds.

Those who missed the premiere can view the films at the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Theatrette until the end of November.