UNIMA AUSTRALIA

🎉 We’re thrilled to announce the winners of this year’s Silver Linings Film Festival! During our Zoom Awards Ceremony on Nov 10th, 2024, Troy Murphy from All Felt TV (@allfelttv) won both the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice awards for his uplifting film The Climate, perfectly capturing this year’s theme. Watch Troy share his creative process here.

The film Dangling On The Edge won the Highly Commended Award. It was directed by Kay Yasugi (@kay_yasugi) with contributions from Susie Boeselt, Fiona Finley and students from The Drama Studio (@dramastudioaustralia), Ana Lorite and Sergio Aguilar of Naranjarte (@naranjartecom), Rhoda Lopez and Remo Di Filippo of Di Filippo Marionette, Tahlia Ransley (@brain_eating_cosplayer), and Jill Webster (Story Bubble).

Following the awards, Troy and Lyle Winton (LJ Puppetry) shared insights on film techniques, adding depth to a lively group discussion.

A huge thank you to our judges, sponsor Lumin’s Workshop, and all who attended. Winners also receive a year’s membership to UNIMA Australia—visit unima.org.au/membership to join.

🎥 Watch the films on our playlist below and on our UNIMA Australia YouTube channel.

Silver Linings Films 2024:

Dangling on the Edge (Puppet Eurovision)

The “Dangling on the Edge” song was generated on Donna AI Lyrics and Inspired by World Puppetry Day Message “The Climate” by Dimitri Jageneau (Secretary General, UNIMA Internationale). Directed/Edited by Kay Yasugi – Pupperoos (Sydney, Australia) Puppetry by (In Order of Appearance): Ana Lorite and Sergio Aguilar – Naranjarte (Aotearoa New Zealand), Tahlia Ransley (Sydney, NSW), Rhoda Lopez and Remo Di Filippo – Di Filippo Marionette (Italy), Jill Webster – Story Bubble (Blue Mountains, NSW), Fiona Finley and Students from The Drama Studio (Wollongong, NSW), Susie Boeselt (Adelaide, South Australia)

The Climate – All Felt TV

Nimrod the Frog and his animal friends notice that the environment around them is changing until Red the Yowie emerges from hiding to warn his animal friends that although the climate is changing, there is hope if they take action. With simple steps like planting trees and caring for their surroundings, they show how small actions can ripple out and help heal the planet.

Created by Troy Murphy (NSW) – https://www.allfeltpuppets.com/

www.instagram.com/allfelttv

Shadow Theatre Collaboration with AI – LJ Puppetry

Human: “Sandy is a woodcarver who lives alone in a cabin by the woods.” AI: “Whiskers is an adventurous squirrel who resides high in a tree just on the edge of the woods.” This experiment in digital shadow puppetry was inspired by the UNIMA Youth Commission 2024 open session on AI & Puppetry. The script was collaboratively written by myself and OpenAI. One puppet was choreographed and performed by myself, and the other was choreographed by AI and performed using Blender. The process of creating the scene has been journalled via blog. https://ljpuppetry.net/shadow-theatre-collaboration-with-ai-part-1/

Created by Lyle Winton (co-writer, puppeteer, film creator) and OpenAI (co-writer, puppeteer)

Melbourne, VIC

https://ljpuppetry.net/ 

Barren Earth – Pinspot Productions

Shadow Puppets depicting environmental decay.

Created by Anna and Gerard Watts, with Editing by Gerard and Music by Anna (NSW).

A Worm’s Wisdom – Matt Bottos

“A Worm’s Wisdom” is a thought-provoking poem from the perspective of a humble worm who observes humanity’s impact on the planet from the ground up. Through simple but wise reflections, the worm warns us of the urgent need to protect and respect the Earth. With themes of environmental awareness and climate action, this poem calls us to embrace small, sustainable choices that can make a big difference. Listen closely as this “worm” offers a gentle reminder: the future of our planet is in our hands.

Created by Matt Bottos (VIC).

For any enquiries, contact our General Secretary Kay at secretary@unima.org.au

Click here to see our previous entries from Silver Linings 2020, 2022 and 2023!