The Sunshine Valley Gazette

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Student Film Festival earns international reputation

Eliza Claridge, left, and Sophia Maglis. Sophia is STUFFit’s first ever School-Based Trainee.

STUFFit stands for STUdent Film Festival InTernational. Eleven years ago, a group of St John’s College students had a vision. 

A vision for a film festival run for students, by students held here on the Sunshine Coast. What started as only a small national film festival has grown into an international event recognised across the world. Celebrating their 10th Anniversary in 2021 was a huge milestone for the STUFFit Student Film Festival and a very successful event.

This year STUFFit has reached a couple of other achievements. The original vision of STUFFit included a Festival Coordinator and Trainees across the management team. 

This would ensure that all students involved would receive a creative industry education that is not currently available on the Sunshine Coast. 

To put this idea into motion, Year 12 student Sophia Maglis has been employed as a School Based Trainee and Robyn Cook as part-time Festival Coordinator in 2022. 

Sophia has been completing the Certificate III in Business, with a focus on Events, and works with Robyn one day a week. 

Robyn and Sophia have been working with the Student Management Team to organise the festival for 2022. 

They will also commence transitioning the STUFFit Student Film Festival from a school-based competition and event to its own incorporated entity. 

This will enable the festival to expand and develop into a social enterprise with a Board of members. Mags Scholes in her position as Head of Content for Screen Queensland, has  offered to be on the Board for the new STUFFit. 

As an incorporated entity, STUFFit will be able to include other Sunshine Coast schools, creating many opportunities for high school students in the creative industries.

The 2022 STUFFit Student Film Festival has received over 100 entries from across the globe. Short listed entries have all been judged by industry professionals and the Student Management Team have worked tirelessly all year to ensure another successful festival.  

Thanks to Bassett Barks, our major sponsor and to our long-term supporters, Ted’s Cameras Maroochydore, and St John’s College Nambour.  

STUFFit Film Festival 2022

The festival will be held Saturday October 15 at Majestic Theatre Nambour with screenings from 11am to 5pm. Awards will be presented at 5pm. Tickets from $12 via www.trybooking.com/events/landing/959327