Lights, camera, action! StarBurst Film Festival and free filmmaking workshops come to Penrith and St Marys

Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Be inspired by local filmmaking talent and get involved in free filmmaking workshops as part of the StarBurst Film Festival and Filmmaking Symposium in Penrith on 1 April and StarBurst at St Marys Film Festival on 2 April.

The StarBurst Film Festival and Filmmaking Symposium debuts in Penrith on Saturday 1 April at The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. Kicking off with the Symposium at 9am, join a panel discussion with experts in the film industry who will share tips and insights on how to access film funding and broadcasting agreements. From 1pm, enjoy a range of short films made by local creatives that have been submitted as part of the StarBurst Film Festival competition.

Penrith City Council and Screen NSW, through the Screen NSW Film Festival Funding Program, are major sponsors of this event, partnering with event creator Kirstie Boerst, an experienced creative producer and Penrith local. Boerst developed the StarBurst Film Festival to celebrate the film industry, which was significantly impacted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kirstie is a passionate advocate for local filmmaking and for the creation of film content that inspires and motivates audiences.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said that this event will promote local creative talent and provide an open door for filmmakers to learn more about the film industry.

“StarBurst Film Festival and Filmmaking Symposium is an exciting new event for our City. It’s a testament to the creative talent we have in our area and the dedication of Kirstie Boerst to give the next generation of filmmakers an opportunity to grow,” Cr Hitchen said.

“Penrith City Council is a supporter of the arts and I hope that our community will embrace this event and encourage our local filmmakers.”

StarBurst at St Marys Film Festival on Sunday 2 April invites the community to take part in a range of free stop motion animation and filmmaking workshops where attendees create their own short film with the guidance of film industry professionals.

At Coachmans Park a green screen experience offers young and old the chance for some interactive movie fun from 4pm, followed by a screening of the short, family-friendly films from the StarBurst Film Festival on the big screen from 6pm. Free pizza is on offer for the first 100 people as well as free popcorn for the first 250 people.

“StarBurst at St Marys Film Festival encourages our community to embrace their creativity and take the opportunity to learn from industry professionals, all at no cost. Wonderful memories will be made at these fun and interactive workshops,” Cr Hitchen said.

StarBurst at St Marys Film Festival is sponsored by Screen NSW through the Screen NSW Film Festival Funding Program.

The StarBurst Film Festival & Filmmaking Symposium will be held Saturday 1 April from 9am until 9pm at The Joan Sutherland Performing Art Centre. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased from penrith.city/events.

StarBurst at St Marys Film Festival will be held on Sunday 2 April with free workshops beginning from 10am. To register for classes and for more information, go to penrith.city/events

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Tuesday, 21 March 2023.