2023 Spiritus Short Film Prize awards

The 2023 Spiritus Short Film Prize award night was held at the Canberra Dendy Cinema on 12 November 2023 during the Canberra Short Film Festival. The Spiritus Prize sponsors, Clive and Lynlea Rodger presented the awards. We would like to thank them for their continued support for the Spiritus Short Film Prize.

Spiritus Short Film Prize Winner

Anna Dvorak

The Choice to Love

An Australian high school teacher is offered a job promotion while caring for her elderly Czech mother and so must decide whether she will pursue further doing what she loves or remain looking after the one she loves.

Film’s crew and Anna’s parents receiving the award on Anna’s behalf at the Award night in Canberra, photo by Clive Rodger.

Judges comments:

Well made, thematically strong, relatable and a very good fit with our themes. Genevieve Jacobs

It is a powerful film that touches on a very strong subject which is very close to many (if not all), in a very well told story which depicts the dilemmas between family love and personal advancement in a very emotional yet balanced way. Maximo Gowland

Writing, acting, cinematography and editing are all very polished indeed, and the emotional message is clear without being forced. Greg Battye

Regional Australia Prize

Robert Sherwood

Healing Heart, Feeling Country

Judges comments:

I think this film ticks all the boxes of what this prize aims for. It is beautifully put together combining music and image and has a strong message about environment, connection to country and tradition. Maximo Gowland

Robert Sherwood’s film, …, actually aligns well with Spiritus values, and is also an accomplished and visually beautiful film. Greg Battye

Well made, thematically strong, relatable and a very good fit with our themes. Genevieve Jacobs

It is a powerful film that touches on a very strong subject which is very close to many (if not all), in a very well told story which depicts the dilemmas between family love and personal advancement in a very emotional yet balanced way. Maximo Gowland

Writing, acting, cinematography and editing are all very polished indeed, and the emotional message is clear without being forced. Greg Battye

Spiritus Short Film Prize Highly Commended

Julian Neuhaus

The Entrepreneur

Episode 4 of the Fearless Films series. Emma started her business in Townsville with just one client. Thanks to her strong, unique service offering – shredding important documents, which remain confidential with her, because she can’t read or write – she now has over 50 clients throughout town.

Judges Comments:

A very powerful and emotional message of overcoming disability through determination and perseverance and a hint of an environmental message, I think is well deserving of a commendation. Maximo Gowland

Uplifting and delightful and very natural in every way.  Genevieve Jacobs

A positive and heart-warming story, full of such exemplary generosity and so clear about a better way forward. Greg Battye

Spiritus Short Film Prize Commended

Gabrielle Grégoire

Soul

Gabrielle Gregoire receiving her award from Clive and Lynlea Rodger at the Award night, photo by Sarah Stitt

Judges Comments:

I thought this was beautifully filmed and acted, and also very well cast; there are some seriously good talents on show here, and not only the lead character, though she is certainly excellent. The film itself does a pretty good job of conveying a message about freedom and the importance of finding one’s own way and holding to one’s values in a very difficult environment.  Greg Battye

Judges

The prizes are awarded by a panel of three judges who together bring many decades of film experience to the judging panel. These successful professionals from the film, television, radio and teaching industries, along with being appreciators and connoisseurs of film, incorporate the criteria and drawn upon their experiences to find the winner of the Spiritus Short Film Prize.

Meet the Panel

The judging panel represent many decades of experience in media and film, and film appreciation. They are Ms Genevieve Jacobs AM, Professor (r'td) Greg Battye and Argentine Ambassador, Maximo Gowland.

Greg Battye

Greg Battye was formerly Professor of Media Production and Communication at the University of Canberra. Growing from a childhood love of photography and film, he has pursued personal involvement in film, video and audio as both a consumer and a maker, and from amateur enthusiasm through to professional production and teaching.

Maximo E Gowland

Maximo E. Gowland, Argentine Ambassador to Australia, as Argentine Cultural Attaché in Miami, USA, for seven years, has been frequently involved in the organisation and promotion of Argentine films and film festivals in USA, Uruguay and Australia, most recently with the 19th Latin American Film Festival which is currently touring Australia.

Genevieve Jacobs - ACC&C Board Member

Genevieve Jacobs has been a journalist for 30 years, working in print and radio. She spent more than a decade as a broadcaster for ABC Canberra, and is now the Group Editor for Region Media and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Genevieve chairs the ACT arts minister's Creative Advisory Council and co-chairs the ACT Reconciliation Council. She sits on the boards of the Cultural Facilities Corporation, the National Folk Festival and Canberra International Music Festival, and is a director of the Conflict Resolution Service and a board member of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture. She is also a champion for a number of organisations including the Capital Region Landkeeper's Trust and ACT Wildlife Rescue. Genevieve has an enduring interest in building and strengthening community engagement.