Directors from Hollywood could soon be knocking on the door of the Murrumburrah-Harden District Hospital following revelations that a film produced by one of the nurses and starring other members of staff has been selected as a finalist in a major film festival.
The NSW Nurses Association (NSWNA) chose to celebrate International Nurses day (May 12) this year with the Inaugural NSWNA Nurses Short Film Festival.
Nurses from across NSW were invited to submit a short film of up to five minutes in length telling a “nursing story”.
It’s the first foray into film making for nursing staff member Maria Hanrahan who thought it would be a great idea to get involved with the project.
Maria had to apply to submit a film and once accepted attended a two-day film making course at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in January.
The challenge was to make a film that related to nursing. Maria had written three separate storylines which she presented to her work colleagues at the Hospital.
“They didn’t really need a script as everyone was just so fantastic at coming up with ideas and adlibbing for the film, it was a real team effort” Maria said.
The three separate films submitted included “Bush Clinic” which had a community health focus starring Vicki Fairfield-Smith and Nikki Bolger and “My life at the door” which starred Staff members Eleanor Ashton, Claire Walsh, Lindy Abnett, Bea Burns and ANU Medical Student Daniel Mackay (who has been working in Harden) and Maria herself.
The third film entitled “With Dignity” is a drama style short film with the main theme focusing on grief and dying and the importance of advanced care directives.
“With Dignity” includes a cast of stars from the local hospital, Kerry Menz, Vicki Fairfield-Smith, Evelyn Shea and Maryanne Fitzgerald and was produced by Maria with her assistant producer Daniel Mackay.
The three films were submitted with “With Dignity” being selected as a finalist.
Our local stars were invited to attend the NSWNA Film Festival in Sydney at NIDA’s Parade Theatre in Kensington last night (Wednesday). The event includes a cocktail party and the screening of the shortlisted films.
The films will be judged by three judges and the winners will receive $5000 and two runners up will receive $2000 each.
Maria said it was great fun which involved a lot of long nights all in their own time, and was a great achievement for the team at the Hospital, which she said is a real “can do” place to work.
Apparently the bloopers (out-takes) are nearly as good as the finished article, which may be screened when the nurses hold their own red carpet function in Harden at a date yet to be determined.
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