Festival director John Frohlich said: “We are able to select from a large number of quality, entertaining and moving films to show festival attendees.

“This high number of submissions reflects the popularity of short films both here and around the world,” he said

Frohlich said he believed the film festival, which will now run for seven days, would provide encouragement and an avenue for launching young filmmaker’s careers, no doubt accounting for the increase seen in the number of young film makers who have submitted films.

“CSFF provides a fantastic chance for our local creatives to have their work seen by a large audience in a commercial cinema environment,” he said.

The festival has recently introduced a “2-Minute” category, which captures some of the trends seen on social media.

“Technology is also allowing for more innovative story telling; we have films shot on phones and tablets, we see more use of drone shots in the films,” Frohlich said.

“This is allowing high production values which would have been too expensive for independent film makers in the past.”

Canberra filmmaker Sebastian Chan, at the beginning of his film career, said the Short Film Festival provides opportunities that are unique and important.

“It is important for our work to be seen and for young filmmakers to test out their ideas, to see them on the big screen,” he said.

He had worked on multiple entries this year but particularly “Bus Trip”, which has already seen success with this film at the Focus on Ability Film Festival.

The short film addresses how society views and Chan treats people with a disability and plans to expand his work to a web series.

Canberra Short Film Festival, September 9-16, at Smith’s Alternative, Dendy Cinemas, Belconnen Community Centre and Tuggeranong Arts Centre, full program at csff.com.au Tickets will go on sale on August 21.

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