The North Bellarine Film Festival (NBFF) has presented its 2022 Emerging Filmmaker Award to Alex Nesic of Mentone for his film ‘Unsaid’.
The award was presented to Mr Nesic at the festival’s award ceremony at the Potato Shed in Drysdale on Saturday night after the presentation of the 11 shortlisted films.
Mr Nesic, who is currently completing his master’s degree of Film and Television at the Victorian College of Arts, said he is interested in exploring themes of diversity, fringe societies and familial connections in his work.
‘Unsaid’ tells the story of six-year-old Oscar who struggles to find a connection with his multicultural family when relatives from Serbia move into his crowded suburban home.
Oscar’s inability to express himself, especially to his young and forthright cousin Mila, tears his family apart until he links the house together with make-shift tin can telephones that translate the various languages spoken in the home and brings the family back together.
Mr Nesic thanked his cast and crew for their dedication to the work.
“After numerous production delays and the stressful uncertainty of filming between COVID-related lockdowns, the fact that ‘Unsaid’ was even completed is a testament to the labour of love conducted by its cast and crew,” he said.
“This is an incredibly personal story inspired by events in my childhood. I hope that this film will promote even the slightest glimmer of understanding during an era where issues of
miscommunication and division seem almost insurmountable.”
NBFF chair Bill Lussier said the festival was proud to present such high-quality works from young filmmakers.
“The Emerging Filmmaker Award has been identifying talented young filmmakers and screening their work since it was established in 2019,” Mr Lussier said.
“There are many exciting young filmmakers just starting out and by recognising their work, we hope to inspire them to continue working to fulfil their dreams.”
