Aspiring movie-makers were invited to show off their wares by entering a Kiama short film competition. 

Entrants were asked to create a short film using your action camera or smart device, and load it onto the Kiama Connect website. 

The 2015 Kiama Outdoor Summer Movie Trailer Competition’s theme was ‘what you love about Kiama’.

Films were required to be two to three minutes in length.

Kiama Downs resident Ms Costa, 32, a lifelong resident of the municipality was the winner of the competition. 

Ms Costa said she’d long had an interest in film-making.

‘‘I think it’s because it was a project about Kiama, I really love the idea that we got a chance to show off our town,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s a beautiful town and it definitely needs a short film made about it.

‘‘A lot of friends overseas have seen it and said, ‘wow, we can finally see what you’ve been talking about all these years and how beautiful it actually is’.

‘‘I love the community.

‘‘Growing up here it’s changed a lot, but it’s still kept the main community sense, as far as friends, the entertainment, everything.

‘‘Everything that’s in the film is what I love about Kiama.’’

Ms Costa said the process of making the short film took at least a couple of days.

‘‘It was a whole day of filming, then a good six, seven hours trying to edit and put it together, and then going back out to get the shots that I needed that were missing on that day,’’ she said. 

‘‘The idea was to get a lot of locals in there, and just show off the beauty of the town.

‘‘This competition was a great opportunity to have a play and practice (making films).

‘‘It was a really interesting process.

‘‘There’s a lot of time that’s behind it, but when you actually see the final result, it’s really worth it.’’

Aside from her prize of an iPad, winning entries are screening at the start of council’s Summer Outdoor Movies, which are at Black Beach Kiama, Friday, February 13; Kevin Walsh Oval, Jamberoo on Saturday, February 21 and Gerringong Cricket Club on Friday, February 27.