Little Jim was written and directed by Newcastle filmmaker Dean Parr and starred six-year-old Connor Lentfer as 'Little Jim', who is preparing carefully for a visit to his grandpa.

Mr Parr said the film was inspired by his own grandfather.

"My grandfather just passed recently and it was my idea of a fun joke and a memorial," Mr Parr said.

Little Jim was judged the best entry in the competition by the judging panel comprised of Herald editor Rod Quinn, Newcastle Shoot Out 24-hour Film-Making Festival co-founder Craig Foot and Herald film critic James Joyce.

Mr Parr won $2500.

Runner-up Nigel Williams came up with the idea for his spaghetti western spoof, Thong Man, while listening to the theme tune for The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

"I came up with the idea on the Sunday before it was due, wrote it on Monday, filmed Tuesday and handed it in on Wednesday," Mr Williams said.

Mr Williams, a trained zookeeper who has worked on BBC wildlife documentaries, said the film was his first attempt.

Another entrant who had never made a film before the 2 Minute Shootout was Madelaine Nunn from Adamstown.

Ms Nunn said her mother warned her that Graveyard Grapes wouldn't make the final 10, but the St Francis Xavier's College student exceeded everyone's expectations as the winner of the reader's choice award.

More than 1000 readers registered their votes at www.theherald.com.au, and Graveyard Grapes won with 28.4 per cent of the vote.

Ms Nunn plays a television news presenter reporting from Glenrock Lagoon where human remains have been discovered by Newcastle Knight Kurt Gidley.

To watch the movies click on the link below.