Two young filmmakers have taken out top honours in Frankston Arts Centre’s LockDown Short Film Competition. James Griffiths, 21, won the $2000 top prize for his entry Routine, and Imogen Adeney, 16, picked up the $1000 Highly Commended prize for GLITCH.

 Routine follows the cyclical nature of the COVID-19 lockdown and how that can weigh on someone mentally. “I aimed to capture how people were feeling during this remarkable period of time,” said James, who is studying a Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours) at Swinburne University and plans to pursue a career in film.

GLITCH explores the effects lockdown has on a 16-year-old girl. “I was trying to capture the whole 2020 COVID situation, particularly highlighting the mental health impact,” Imogen said, adding the lockdown travel restrictions and editing process had been challenging while she worked on her film.

Mayor Kris Bolam said the competition, part of Frankston City Council’s $7.121 million COVID-19 relief and recovery package, was a great initiative to keep Frankston City creatives inspired during lockdown and to support the arts industry, which was hit hard by the pandemic. “The films are a wonderful contribution not only to the arts but also our cultural history as they capture a remarkable period in time,” Cr Bolam said. “I commend James and Imogen for their initiative, contribution and the tremendous quality of their films.”

The council’s arts and culture manager, Andrew Moon, praised the 26 competition entrants for their passion and the quality of their films. “The time we are living through today will leave its mark on us for ever, and our creatives have made a remarkable artistic commitment to capture and reflect this through film,” Mr Moon said.

Shortlisted films will be screened at the multi-disciplinary exhibition This Time, Last Year at FAC in May.