Film festival brings R U OK? message to country Australia

hello • 5 November 2019


Film fanatics from across the country joined Broken Hill locals under a blanket of stars at the 3rd annual Perfect Light Film Festival held on November 2.


Viewers enjoyed 12 short films created by a range of technically diverse filmmakers from across Australia.


Jake Taylor was awarded first prize with his short film ‘Pub_Talk’, while locals Annette Herd and Jason King came second with their film 'Flawed', followed by Melbourne filmmaker Tom Vogel in third place with his film 'One Second'.


Special guest judges including Underbelly star Firass Dirani and R U OK? Ambassador’s The Living Room's Barry Du Bois and NITV Executive Editor Rhanna Collins were given the difficult task of selecting winners from a range of categories which included the R U OK? Emerging Filmmaker Award.


Charlotte McLaverty was awarded the R U OK? Emerging Filmmaker award with her short film ‘Social’.


Ms Collins and Mr Dirani said it was difficult for the trio to pick a winner with so many quality films on show.


"The quality of production was really high and that was quite impressive," Ms Collins said.


"There was some amazing storytelling and just simple and effective ways of drawing the audience in, it was really challenging to pick the winner," Mr Dirani said.


Personal stories from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that show how being asked “Are you OK?” can help during a tough time were also screened. These stories, developed as part of R U OK?’s ‘Stronger Together’ campaign, encouraged everyone to support mob who might be going through a tough time.

Festival Producer Meg Pascoe said herself, Festival Director Steve Bastoni and the crew were over the moon with the local turnout on the night.

Ms Pascoe said it's been the best turnout the festival has had, and were amazed with the beautiful weather they were gifted just in time for the Sturt Park screening.

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Announcement from the CEO, Katherine Newton

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After ten years of teamwork, partnerships, growth, and countless conversations, I will be stepping down as CEO from 1 December 2025. It has been an extraordinary privilege to contribute to the growth of this movement and to witness meaningful change before my eyes. Gavin Larkin founded R U OK? because he believed conversation has the power to change lives. One seemingly simple question, when asked with genuine intent and care, can start a meaningful and sometimes complex conversation. And that’s what Gavin wanted. For people to look beyond responses of “I’m fine” or “All good” and ask, “Are you really OK?”. The notion of going deeper with conversations, of asking a second time, of trusting our guts and moving past our hesitation - is being grasped and moving beyond one day to any day. Whilst saying “G’day how are you?” will always be a greeting - we can do more. When Gavin lost his father to suicide he wanted to try and protect other families from the pain his endured. He wanted to get people talking and having real chats about how they’re feeling with their mates, their family and their colleagues. In locker rooms, lunch rooms, and lounge rooms across the nation. But he approached it from a different angle. Gavin wanted all of us to have the confidence to support the people we care about who might be struggling with life. To make conversations a natural part of our behaviour, to openly show our signals of support. So as R U OK? generations continue to evolve, my chapter is coming to a close. How fortunate I am to have been part of the story. From hesitant glances during presentations in 2015 to queues of people waiting for a conversation in 2025. From yellow wigs in the office, to welcoming yellow-swathed Ambassadors to share their lived experience. From yellow coffee cups in a café, to yellow cars driving into communities nationwide. And yes, there’s been a few cupcakes along the way. Social change is happening, and we are all a part of it. No one organisation can prevent suicide, no one individual can save everyone - but the power of many can make a difference.
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