Peter Thurnwald has recently finished filming on It’s Our Time, written, directed and co-produced by Joy Hopwood and Erica Long and is also currently filming the second series of the internationally acclaimed Netflix series, X,O Kitty, currently shooting in Seoul, South Korea. Adam Dunn, previously a Joy House Film Festival winner in 2022, starred in the successful blockbuster, The Fall Guy and previously, Elvis, both judges are excited to come onboard to be judges.
“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.
Founder, Joy Hopwood, started the festival because a colleague once mentioned to her that there were no uplifting film festivals, 11 years ago, that gave filmmakers a platform for their work to be celebrated and that championed diversity in front of and/or behind the camera. The ongoing theme of “joy” has left audiences feeling good and hopeful about life, after the festival screening.
Joy House Film Festival is proud to give out three awards for not only Best Film, but also Best Female Filmmaker, and Best Diversity Film.
The festival is proud to have discovered great films and such talented filmmakers, such as “The Present” by Jacob Frey. This three-minute film tells the story of a young boy who gets an injured puppy as a gift, we won’t spoil what happens next but it’s not surprising Disney were left so impressed after seeing this film that they offered him a job. Another festival favourite is “Joy & Herron.” This 4 minute 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. This short film has gone on to win many accolades across the globe. In 2023, Radheya Jan Jegatheva won Joy House Film Festival’s best film for Bird Drone. A wonderful short film about a seagull falling in love with a drone. He has since gone on to win more awards including the 2024 Australia’s Best Short Film award.
The Joy House Film festival will continue to support emerging filmmakers around the world, spreading joy and serving a platform opportunity and a voice for undiscovered & talented filmmakers. It’s supported by the Media & Entertainment Arts Alliance’s Diversity Committee & Actors’ Equity Australia.
Entries are currently opened via Filmfreeway https://filmfreeway.com/JoyHouseFilmFestival
