Sip some cinema at SIPfest,  a night under the star of Surfers Paradise watching mini-movies from Australia’s best emerging film making talent. Surfers Paradise Festival is proud to announce the return of the Shorts in Paradise Film Festival (SIPfest) to the 2013 festival program.

Set in the heart of Queensland’s Surfers Paradise,  SIPFEST encourages filmmakers from around Australia to submit their short films to the festival judges,  who are looking for cinematic masterpieces under 10 minutes in length. SIPfest films cover any genre: thriller,  comedy,  animation,  documentary,  drama… if it entertains an audience,  we want it in the mix. As the festival plays to a broad audience, we are looking for films that would earn nothing higher than an M rating.

Live judging will take place at the outdoor screening in Surfers Paradise on Saturday April 13th. SIPFest will be the closing event of a day long street party in Surfers Paradise,  with the night to feature live music,  food stalls and market shops in addition to the program of shorts films. Finalist filmmakers have the chance to not only have their film play to a large outdoor audience,  but will also be in the running for prizes awarded in the categories of Best Film,  Runner-Up,  Directing,  Cinematography,  Editing and Audience Choice. The SIPfest prize pool comprises cash and industry prizes,  including a Best Film prize of $2, 500 cash.

Entries are now open for the second annual Shorts in Paradise Film Festival (SIPFest),  part of the 2013 Surfers Paradise Festival. Submissions from across Australia are welcome. Entry is free and the final date for submissions is Friday March 1,  2013. For more information and to download an entry form,  go to http://www.surfersparadise.com/whats-on/all-events/sipfest