In the heart of the goldfields, a quiet revolution in storytelling is taking place. No big budgets, no film studios, just a camera taken to local streets, kitchens and backyards.
This is the world of LOCALS, the Castlemaine Documentary Festival’s very own showcase of short documentaries created by everyday filmmakers from the local community.
“The idea for LOCALS sprang from enquiries that kept coming in from community members who were making films. Some were looking for guidance, others were looking for a home for their work. There were clearly people out there with stories they wanted to tell,” said Claire Jager, director, Castlemaine Documentary Festival.
More than 40 films were submitted in the first year of the initiative with the filmmakers coming from as far away as Gisborne and Ballarat.
After refining the program parameters and offering workshops to help any filmmakers that needed it, 22 six-minute films were submitted, proving that the stories of the community were rich, varied and worth telling. Twelve of those were selected to screen as part of the 2024 festival.
“It was a really tough call to whittle it down to the allotted time. But we couldn’t let the other films not have their moment in the spotlight,” Claire said. “And that’s where LOCALS Redux comes into the picture!”
The festival team has partnered with the Chewton Film Society for a gala screening of all 22 of the locally made documentaries.
Presented in two sessions, and featuring 10 premieres, it’s a celebration of what makes Castlemaine and its surrounds unique, as told through the lenses of those who call it home.
Audience Choice award winner, The Making Of The Remake Of Jurassic Park, will screen in session two. It’s everything you need to know about why on earth a shot-for-shot remake of Jurassic Park is being made, right here in Castlemaine.
Another crowd favourite, Myrteza Blue, tells the story of a farmer turned landscape painter who began this pursuit at the age of 60 to help make sense of a devastating loss.
But LOCALS isn’t just about the films – it’s about supporting our community to get behind a camera and tell our own stories. And that’s where Club CDoc comes in.
Through a series of hands-on workshops, Club CDoc connects aspiring filmmakers with industry professionals to help turn ideas into films. These workshops cover everything from shaping your story to the nitty-gritty of filming and editing. Designed to support local creators give voice to stories that might otherwise go untold.
With each new film created, the picture of our region grows richer, more diverse, and more connected. Whether it’s a family tradition, digging into local history, or documenting the world as you see it, everyone has a story to tell – and Castlemaine is ready to hear yours.
For details about the gala LOCALS Redux screening and the upcoming series of workshops, visit the Castlemaine Documentary Festival website: cdocff.com.au
