Australian filmmaker Janine Barnes has been awarded the major prize of $5,000 at the inaugural Jameson Show Me Shorts Film Festival for her film Ray.

"Australian shorts have taken out most of the awards this time around," said Programming Director Katrin Hagen, "so I think the competition will be all the more fierce next year."Australian filmmaker Janine Barnes has been awarded the major prize of $5,000 at the inaugural Jameson Show Me Shorts Film Festival for her film Ray.

"Australian shorts have taken out most of the awards this time around," said Programming Director Katrin Hagen, "so I think the competition will be all the more fierce next year."Ray is a heart-warming comedy about a little kid growing up in a country town he hates. The locals reckon it's paradise, but as far as he can see, the only interesting stuff happens to a guy the whole town dismisses as crazy, Ray.

Festival organisers have been approached by cinemas in other centres, web-based media and other channels wanting to screen the Show Me Shorts program. Business Director Tamara Liebman confirms plans are already underway for the 2nd annual Jameson Show Me Shorts Film Festival in 2007.

"Interest in Jameson Show Me Shorts has been strong from the outset and this reinforces our belief that the public want to see more short films and we can help deliver these. We'll be exploring all our options for expansion next year."

"The standard of entries was high," said Hagen, "and it was great to be able to honour these talented short filmmakers with prizes.

Jameson Best Film ($5,000 cash prize)
Winner: Ray (Janine Barnes, Australia)
Finalist: A Natural Talent (Louise Fox, Australia)
Special Mention: No Ordinary Sun (Jonathan Brough, New Zealand)

CityMix Best Student Film Award
(Profile story in CityMix Magazine)
Winner: Mad Mac and the Flat Ugly Snail (Kate Bradbury and Bill Morris, New Zealand)
Finalist: Guy in a Field (Miranda Edmonds, Australia)
Special Mentions: Mail Order (Zoe McIntosh, New Zealand) and Crooked Mick of the Speewah (Luke Eve, Australia)

Technical Achievement Prize
($1,500 worth of film development services from Atlab New Zealand/Australia)
Winner: Morning Star for animation (Suren Perera, Australia)
Finalist: Crooked Mick of the Speewah for visual effects (Luke Eve, Australia)
Special Mention: Photograph for cinematography (Andy Commins, Australia)

Panavision Special Jury Prize
(Two nights' accommodation for two in any Scenic Circle Hotel)
Winner: Skye Wansey for acting in A Special Talent (Australia)
Finalist: Tony Mahony for script writing in Ray (Australia)
Special Mentions: Miki Magasiva for script writing in Uso (New Zealand) and Mick Elliot for script writing in After Dolly (Australia)

Image: Winner of the grand prize, Ray (Janine Barnes)

www.showmeshorts.co.nz