by FilmInk Staff
Joy House Film Festival announces a stellar line up for the 11th annual festival. Judges include First Nations filmmaker, Nazareth Alfred, Pills and Powder Milk, Impact Producer and Women in Film and TV NSW Acting Chair, Nadine Torney, Here Out West filmmaker, Bina Bhattacharya, former Joy House Film Festival winner, Adam Dunn (The Fall Guy / Elvis) and Peter Thurnwald Actor, Producer (X.O. Kitty).
Founder, Joy Hopwood, said she is elated at the judging panel line up for 2024-5 and overwhelmed by the community anticipation for the upcoming festival.
Joy, a Chinese Australian filmmaker founded the festival to fill what she saw as a need for joyful and uplifting stories over grittier narratives often used to depict migrant experiences. Eleven years later the festival has grown into a platform for filmmakers to tell uniquely Australian stories connecting audiences with uplifting and authentic representations of their communities.
Joy said, “The positive impact that the first festival had was obvious from “the audience’s reactions. The impact of the ‘joy’ themed festival had audiences expressing feelings of being uplifted, connected and hopeful and I knew we needed to continue to provide the festival.”
Judges for 2024
Bina Bhattacharya, a writer acclaimed for her depiction of migrant experiences in Here Out West says she is inspired by the festival’s ethos. Like her stories, the festival “is a rare and wonderful celebration of under-represented filmmakers that speaks to the universality of third culture stories.” She was proud to represent Australian filmmakers on the world stage. She said “I am proud to be part of a festival led by a fellow woman of colour filmmaker designed to foster the next generation of artists.”
Nadine Torney, Impact Producer, Writer, Director, Transitions, Sisterhood, Change Makers and Acting NSW Chair of Women in Film and TV Australia said
“This is a festival deeply invested in stories of culture and connection.”
“Featuring films with diverse casts and crews that reflect positive and authentic representations of lived experiences is powerful. She continued, “I am proud to be a part of a much-needed film initiative whose aim is to foster inclusion and value culture and belonging in our community.”
Nazareth Alfred, Pills and Powder Milk, See-Saw is a writer, director and Torres Strait Islander woman born on Thursday Island. She is being hailed as an exciting new filmmaker, telling unique stories about First Nations families and extraordinary life experiences. Her stories are edgy comedy/dramas with a focus on female empowerment. Nazareth commented on the need for a festival based on uplifting communities through positive representations, “In our multicultural society, our diversity is what makes us special. Our stories are our voices in which we connect, educate and celebrate our similarities and uniqueness through imaginative and innovative storytelling. As a Writer and Director of First Nations heritage, it would be an honour to be a judge and support the film festival.”
Adam Dunn, previously a Joy House Film Festival winner in 2022, starred in the successful blockbuster, The Fall Guy and Elvis. Adam said “I am excited to be invited to this year’s judges panel and to contribute to an important festival that supports local talent. “The process of making a film and giving it to the world is a joyous event. What better way to celebrate that by entering a festival that focuses on that joy and the wonderful diversity of stories Australia has to offer?” says Adam Dunn.
Peter Thurnwald, lead actor of It’s Our Time, written, directed by Joy Hopwood and co-produced with Erica Long, has also just completed filming the second series of the internationally acclaimed Netflix series, X.O. Kitty, shot in South Korea.
Unearthed talent from previous years include filmmaker Jacob Frey, The Present tells the story of a young boy who is gifted an injured puppy, we won’t spoil what happens next but it’s not surprising Disney were so impressed on screening it they offering him a job. Another festival favourite Joy & Herron, an animated film directed by Passion’s Kyra & Constantin, tells the story of Joy, the brand dog mascot and her comic trials with a pesky heron has been embraced by festivals and won awards across the globe.
2023 winner, Radheya Jegatheva winner for Best Film for Bird Drone, a wonderful short about a seagull falling in love with a drone, has continued to endear audiences winning awards such as the 2024 Australia’s Best Short Film award.
The Joy House Film Festival is a globally orientated and locally inspired celebration of uniquely Australian films. Our aim is to strengthen communities through the joy of sharing stories. The festival aims to promote authentic representation and builds a community that embraces the joy of our shared experiences.
Entries are currently opened via Filmfreeway https://filmfreeway.com/JoyHouseFilmFestival
