THERE’S no shortage of good news on the short film front from Canberra these days.

A short film, “Finding Eric,” produced in Canberra with a cast and crew of more than 60, has been selected to screen (with German subtitles) this Friday October 21 in competition at the Lucerne International Film Festival in Switzerland.

The 10-minute film is a comedy-drama about the differing expectations of two people in a relationship.

The script was written by London writer Jon Barton in collaboration with Scott Maybury of Red Bandit Productions, a Canberra production house.

The movie was co-directed by Scott Maybury and Robert Coppa and produced by Pattie Collins.

Sydney actors Lauren Hamilton Neill and Ben Ryan are the leads, with Canberra performer Margie Sainsbury in a supporting role.

The casting director, Graham Gall also appears in the film.

“Finding Eric” almost didn’t make it. Last year, all the camera and lighting equipment was stolen from director of photography Rohan Dadswell, but as usual Canberra’s local film community rallied around and the film was finished.

It was privately funded and supported by sponsors both local and national, including Active Training Personnel, La Posada Café & Bar, St Germain liqueur, Gina Stoj Management, Belconnen Premier Inn and The Military Shop in Fyshwick.