The Minister for Tourism, Scott Bacon, today congratulated the three Tasmanians who have won the Essence of Tasmania Breath of Fresh Air short film competition.

 

The competition encouraged filmmakers from right around the world to create a short film that captured the essence of Tasmania, and could be used to promote the state, with the winners announced in Hobart this morning.

 

Mr Bacon said the three winning entries selected by the judging panel, receiving a cash prize of $5,000 each, were:

 

• The Grim Experience by Andrew Quaile;
• Best Kept Secret by David Pyefinch; and
• Nick Stranger: A Portrait of Tasmanian Surfing by Simon Treweek.

 

"Each of these filmmakers has done a fantastic job in capturing the essence of Tasmania," he said.

 

"While the stories are unique, these films have plenty in common - they recognise our stunning natural beauty, our quirky characters and the qualities of life that we enjoy every day here in Tasmania."

 

Mr Bacon said the competition was developed by Tourism Tasmania, and delivered in partnership with the Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival, with the winning entries to be used by Tourism Tasmania to promote the state to the rest of the world.

 

"The competition has also shown what a great wealth of talent we have amongst our local film makers, and I am delighted that all three winners are Tasmanian," he said.

 

In addition, the judging panel awarded commendations to a further four films: David Broadfield's Mr Thomkins' Pies, Saige Dingemanse's My Tasmania, Tristan Klein's The Tigers, and Shung Yiu Wong's Heaven of Spirituality Home of Peace.

 

Essence of Tasmania attracted 24 entries from around Australia and overseas and was judged by a panel of industry professionals along with representatives from Tourism Tasmania and BOFA.

 

The winning entries can be found at http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/