By Luke Voogt
Geelong’s next crop of aspiring filmmakers will premiere their creative talents at the Odyssey Film Festival on Saturday night.
Lara’s Griffin Jennings will join 17 media students from across the region showcasing their short films.
“It’s always good to get publicity and get your film out there,” he said.
“There are some really talented filmmakers across Geelong just starting their careers. If you want to see them in their early days, this is the place to be.”
Griffin’s film – The Clade – begins with teenager Marcus (Jarred Pedersen) who discovers his dreams can predict the future.
The ability makes him the target of mysterious masked cultists, who pursue him ruthlessly throughout the film.
“They want to capture him and use him for their own ends,” Griffin said. “The story is essentially about him evading them.”
“I like the vigilante and fugitive feel of it.”
Griffin just finished Year 12 at Lara Secondary College and has applied for a Bachelor of Audio at a media institute in Melbourne.
“I love music and (film) editing,” he said.
“Those are the bits where I think I really excel creatively.”
The 18-year-old has studied media at school for three years. He and friends recently started a Youtube channel – Not a Fanime Productions – to promote their work.
“I’ve made a fair few films,” he said.
“I’d love to do it as a career. If it takes off, that would be wonderful.”
But Griffin was keen to avoid a gig casting actors, which, he said had been the most challenging aspect of his latest film.
“Everyone’s schedules are so hectic. It’s difficult to get them all together.”
The City’s general manager of community life, Linda Quinn, said the festival gave the entrants a taste of the film industry.
“Without it many of these wonderful films wouldn’t be seen by the community,” she said.
The festival begins at 6pm Saturday at Village Cinemas and the audience will get to vote for their favourite film.
Tickets are $5 online or $10 at the door (if not sold out). For tickets and further information visit www.odysseyfilmfestival.com
