"The documentary, Perth Hills Bushfire War explores the themes of
resilience, community, endurance, and safety. The intended message of the documentary is ‘to
raise awareness of the affects that bushfires have had on the communities in the Perth Hills
and their 33 year campaign to stop a high dense, fire trap development at North Stoneville’.
The documentary focuses on the proposed North Stoneville - Structure Plan 34 development and
has been made to give the ‘bushfire’ reasons why the community have been strongly apposing
this development for 33 years. The genre of the film is documentary because the film
showcases interviews which have been compiled over a year, together with archival footage
and the major events that have shaped the 33 year community campaign. The genre links back
to the themes because the Perth Hills community have united over three decades, been
impacted by five major bushfires, and have endured to make sure that the safety of current
and future generations is not jeopardised, this is the story conveyed in this
documentary."
YDC 2023
Winners
Second Place
Gus - a Documentary Short
Director: Elias Geffen
"In a heartfelt documentary, 17-year-old skater Gus recounts the events in
his life that lead him to the skater he is today. From his uncle gifting him his first
board, to his troubled home life that sent him searching for a means of escape, Gus tells a
story of perseverance and determination, capturing the essence of true resilience."
YDC 2023
Winners
Third Place
Footloose The Musical - Behind The Scenes
Director: Gilly Baum
"Footloose The Musical - Behind The Scenes, follows the journey of Reddam
House’s high school production of their annual musical. From auditions and casting right the
way through to the final show, it gives insight into the challenges and inner workings of a
musical. The documentary spans all the moving elements of the show, from the backstage crew,
orchestra and dance ensemble to the struggles students face through a coronavirus outbreak
that puts the show at risk. This a unique and unseen view of the work the students put in
and how that converts into the buzzing success of the final show."
YDC 2023
Meet the Judges
Mr. Tom Zubrycki
Widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading Documentary filmmakers,
multi-award winner Tom Zubrycki has over 40 years of experience directing and producing
documentary films. His documentaries reflect on social, political, and environmental
issues, mapping the changing societal landscape of Australia and the world.
Mr. Michael Ienna
Michael Ienna is the Head of Department for Computing at The King’s
School. He has spent fifteen years working in both co-educational and single sex high
schools and held roles such as Head of Department and eLearning Coordinator. He has
helped introduce a school media team and is currently implementing IB Film to the
school. Michael has taught Multimedia for over ten years and has been involved in HSC
marking and as a judge for the ATOM film competition.
