This year’s Surfing the Coldstream Festival takes off on Friday October 16, with the screening of the Coldstream Short Film Festival at the Yamba Cinema. The film festival’s coordinator, Di Ellis, is calling on filmmakers to be a part of the festival’s gala opening by submitting their films. “We are inviting all filmmakers, beginners and professionals,” she said. “This year, the curatorial focus is to highlight the surfing and Aboriginal cultures that are both intrinsic to the quality of life for locals and which set this region apart as a destination.” Films can be up to 20 minutes long and deal with topics local to the Clarence Valley. “Surfing and Aboriginal cultural themes are encouraged, though not essential,” Ms Ellis said. Films can be submitted as an mp4 file or ‘drop and play’ DVD (no menu) format via ftp (Dropbox, Wetransfer etc) to liveprawnproductions@gmail.com or complete the form on the festival’s website. Submissions close Monday August 17. Selections will be made by Monday August 31. Selected works must be delivered in the correct format by Wednesday September 9 to be guaranteed inclusion in the program.