Media release
Remote school’s short film among winners
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
The Gochan Jiny-jirra School community in Arnhem Land is celebrating the news that their short film Can I Have a Banana Please, Chris? has won an award at the 2007 Fist Full of Films short film competition.
The film was screened at the Deckchair Cinema in Darwin last night (20 August) where the winners of the Territory’s short-film competition were announced.
Ten-year-old Sam Bonson who plays the lead role in Can I Have a Banana Please, Chris?, won the $500 Galah Award for Best Actor.
Gochan Jiny-jirra School Teaching Principal Chris Nock said Sam's fine acting skills run in the family – he is related to Crusoe Kurddal of Ten Canoes fame.
Mr Nock said the film-making process had been an exciting and educational time for the school community.
"It was a great tool in developing the self-confidence of students as well as introducing them to the world of multimedia.
"The film theme is aligned with the school’s Healthy Food Program, where students are given fresh organic fruit at least three times a day," he said.
The five-minute film was originally produced for the Top End Group Schools film festival which will be held at Adelaide River on 29-30 August. It was produced by Chris, directed and edited by Will Tinapple of Formation Studios, and stars the Gochan Jiny-jirra School students and members of the Gochan Jiny-jirra community.
The film also stars 13-year-old Kelly Wilson, 11-year-old Arthea Darcy and Gochan Jiny-jirra School Assistant Teacher Jennifer Rankin.