Amy Chandler loves scary films.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Now, a short horror film created by the 13-year-old Lithgow High School student has been shortlisted from more than 480 entries to be screened at the Lithgow Halloween festival as part of the inaugural Lithgow Halloween Film Competition Awards.
Her entry is one of two locally produced films to make the final 13, which people can view on Saturday, October 26, and vote on their favourite. All the films were created on mobile phones or tablets.
For Amy, a love of scary movies was something she shared with her pop. Together, they explored the world of jump scares and all those things moving in the shadows.
With a passion for nature photography and film-making, Amy said she was eager for the chance to make her first Halloween short film for the festival.
Getting her talent to cooperate was a different matter.
Enter Kiara, Amy's little sister.
"I saw Kiara playing with her doll and I thought, that was a good idea for a scary film."
Without giving too much away, Amy was inspired by the Child's Play and Annabelle films in the creation of her short, which uses point-of-view film techniques to increase the scare-factor.
Despite "my actor not always wanting to do what I wanted her to do," Amy said she was very happy with the way the film, which runs just over a minute, turned out.
"When I got the call [telling me my film had been shortlisted] I was very excited," she said.
"I made the film just for fun, and to be told I was a finalist..."
Amy said she loved the horror genre's ability to give you a thrill and that kick of adrenaline.
"I hope people get inspired to make movies of their own," she said.
You can watch the teaser trailer for the 13 finalists here.
The 13 finalist films selected for the Lithgow Halloween Film Competition Awards will be screened at the Lithgow Valley Film Society's Main Street cinema during the Lithgow Halloween Festival on Saturday, October 26 at 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. People will vote on their favourite films.
At the Lithgow Workies Showroom at 1pm on Sunday, October 27, awards will be presented for best performance, most creative and people's choice. The event is free and open to anyone to attend.
READ MORE: A festival to remember
Lithgow City Council and Lithgow Halloween Film Competition Partners SF3 would like to give massive thanks to Lithgow Valley Community Cinema for hosting the screenings at 16 Main Street Lithgow, and Lithgow Workies for hosting the Awards Presentation in their showroom at 3/7 Tank Street Lithgow.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Lithgow Mercury. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.