Gympie turns on the charm for heart of gold promo video

THE saying “never work with animals” was apt on Sunday at the filming of the promotion video for the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival.

KISS FOR LUCK: Wendy Boraso gets a kiss from a calf at the filming of the Heart of Gold promotional video. Picture: Sam Scoufos And Lukas Davidson

THE saying "never work with animals" was apt on Sunday at the filming of the promotion video for the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival to be held in Gympie next month.

With 40 locals playing the role of an outdoor cinema audience, the only screen actor to cause any trouble was a runaway dairy calf.

Artistic director Tahnee McGuire said this year's promotion involved the story of resourceful locals creating an outdoor cinema at Granshaw's dairy.

"I loved doing it last year, as it is a great chance to meet local people I haven't met before and get word out that the festival is coming," Ms McGuire said.

"Again I met a great selection of brilliant local characters and then we had around 40 people on the farm for our final scene creating an outdoor cinema under the stars.

"Everyone was really generous with their time - but I've come to expect that from Gympie people.

"The only on-screen actor that wasn't co-operative was one of the Granshaw's dairy calves who took the opportunity to take off down the road when the camera was pointed at her.

"I hope the video helps promote both the spirit of the local area and the festival."

McGuire, director of photography Sam Scoufos and camera assistant Lukas Davidson created this year's promotional video.

The Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival is on October 9-12.

Ticket prices start at $8 a session, with discounted early bird tickets on sale until September 28.

For tickets or session times go to heartofgold.com.au or email [e-mail].