13.8 C
Byron Shire
July 9, 2026

Local filmmakers set to Go Viral!

Latest News

Screen industry leaders to converge in Lennox Head

Film-maker advocacy group, Screenworks, has revealed the first speaker line-up for Regional to Global Screen Forum 2026, which will be held in Lennox Head on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 September.

Other News

Biodiversity and Agricultural Advisory Committee needs you

Council is currently looking for a new volunteer with a particular interest in agriculture to join its Biodiversity and Agricultural Advisory Committee.

Tourism strategy launched across region

Byron Bay will be featured in the first phase of a new tourism marketing strategy designed to 'attract even more visitors, boost local businesses and create jobs across Regional NSW'.

Free shop to move on from Billinudgel

The Billinudgel Railway Station building, managed by Byron Shire Council (BSC) on behalf of Transport for NSW (TfNSW), has been used as a free community shop where people can donate unwanted items which are available for others to take since 2022.

As NSW govt boasts its support for festivals, let’s dive into where they haven’t

The NSW government today spruiked that Casino's CBD will host one of Australia's great transport events after Casino Truck Show secured funding under the state government's 2026/27 Regional Event Fund.

Interview: Busby Marou

Busby Marou have cemented themselves as one of Australia’s premier musical acts, captivating audiences with their distinctly Australian storytelling, masterful musicianship, and undeniable onstage chemistry. For two decades, Tom Busby and Jeremy Marou have forged a musical partnership that blends rich harmonies, heartfelt lyrics, and the kind of effortless synergy that only comes from years of playing together.

Local union players to benefit from Legacy grants

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is encouraging local councils and rugby union clubs to take advantage of an opportunity to upgrade their facilities, player pathways and increase local participation.

One of the teams selected for the Go Viral! project, Cloudcatcher Media – David Lowe and Eve Jeffery from The Channon. Photo Tree Faerie.

A collection of new micro films are set to Go Viral! in the latest project from Screenworks. All three regional offerings will come from the Northern Rivers.

Altogether five NSW-based filmmaking teams will be supported to make their high impact micro-films after being selected for Go Viral!, a Screenworks initiative delivered in partnership with and funded by Create NSW and supported by Co-Curious.

Go Viral! aims to unearth the ground-breaking filmmakers of the future by funding and supporting them to create micro-films that will disrupt the online space with truly motivating content that connects effectively with its target audiences.

Following a competitive application process with content creators of all skill levels – ranging from a first-timer to experienced filmmakers being assessed by the panel, five teams were selected. They include Matty Hannon and Gary Parker of the Northern Rivers, David Lowe and Eve Jeffery of Cloudcatcher Media from The Channon, Chris Davis of Lennox Head, Nicole Delprado and Joanna Beveridge of Sighence Projects in Sydney and Vonne Patiag and Shelia Ngoc Pham of Western Sydney.

Screenworks CEO, Ken Crouch says the ambition for Go Viral! is to find a diversity of voices from across NSW and support them to create original micro-films to disrupt the digital space. ‘We’re looking forward to working with these filmmakers to produce a varied slate of entertaining and emotive content.’

Clockwise from top left: Chris Davis, David Lowe & Eve Jeffery, Matty Hannon, Gary Parker, Shelia Ngoc Pham, Vonne Patiag, Joanna Beveridge & Nicole Delprado. Image supplied.

Create NSW Acting Director Screen Investment, Engagement and Attraction Sally Regan said they are delighted by the five successful teams selected for this year’s Go Viral! initiative. ‘Matty, Gary, David, Eve and Chris are great representatives of the growing emerging talent from regional NSW, and it’s great to continue to support Vonne, Sheila, Nicole and Joanna who have previously received Screenability and Generator: Emerging Filming Fund support.’

 Screenworks will support the selected regional filmmakers for the Go Viral! project and Western Sydney based organisation Co-Curious will support the selected Sydney-based filmmakers.

 ‘We were really impressed with the quality of the applications submitted for Go Viral! and the range of exciting and meaningful project ideas that were put forward,’ said S. Shakthidharan from Co-Curious ‘Co-Curious is looking forward to working with Vonne and Sheila and Nicole and Joanna and helping bring these important stories to life.’

Each of the selected filmmaking teams will receive a grant of $4,000 to make their short film and work closely with stakeholders to hone their scripts and ideas before filming starts in early 2019.

One of the regional teams is Cloudcatcher Media from The Channon. Cloudcatcher’s David Lowe said the Go Viral! selection was wonderful news. ‘After several years making environmental docos, we are happy to get back to our drama roots and this Go Viral! film Welcome to the Machine is going to be a powerful way to combine social conscience film-making with dramatic storytelling.

‘Poker machine addiction is a problem close to our hearts and we are thrilled to be able to tackle it this way.

‘It’s also fantastic to see three projects representing the vibrant Northern Rivers screen community being supported in this great initiative from Screenworks and Create NSW.’

The final films will be unleashed in mid 2019.

For more information or interviews please go to www.screenworks.com.au/goviral.



For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Alleged Lennox Head native tree removal sparks calls for action

A Ballina Greens councillor is calling on the government agencies to act immediately over claims that native clearing is occurring on a private property in Lennox Head.

Free shop to move on from Billinudgel

The Billinudgel Railway Station building, managed by Byron Shire Council (BSC) on behalf of Transport for NSW (TfNSW), has been used as a free community shop where people can donate unwanted items which are available for others to take since 2022.

Bigger community say on hospital land

Byron Council has voted to give the community a greater role in shaping the future of the former Mullumbimby Hospital site, despite concerns from some councillors that additional consultation could further delay the delivery of desperately needed housing.

Byron Bay High are Mock Trial champions

Byron Bay High School’s Mock Trial team achieved a rare trifecta as their debut as a formidable legal team in the Southern Cross University (SCU) Mock Trial competition.