Seven digital media programs axed in Victoria
Film Victoria has announced changes to its funding programs, including the disappearance of Catapult and Series Proof of Concept, as well as seven digital media programs.
In a statement, Film Victoria said the agency “had to make some tough decisions” and due to an increase in demand across all programs, as well as reduced funds, some had to be discontinued: “We know some practioners will be disappointed to hear this news, and we regret that we’re no longer able to fund these areas”. Read more »
Strong opening for Tomorrow, When the War Began
According to numbers provided by Paramount Pictures, Tomorrow When the War Began took $765,830 on its opening day – the third biggest ever for an Australian film, only behind Happy Feet and Australia.
Including previews, the film directed by Stuart Beattie and based on John Marsden’s novel, has made $802,184. Read more »
Brisbane revamps film festivals
Screen Queensland CEO Maureen Barron has confirmed that the Brisbane International Film Festival will move to a spring time slot (November 4-14) to align it with the Asia Pacific Screen Awards – as reported by Encore in June.
Brisbane will also have its first Underground Film Festival on September 9-October 1. Read more »
Will The Loved Ones ever find the perfect date?
Madman Entertainment has once again changed the release date for Sean Byrne’s horror film The Loved Ones.
The film is now scheduled for November 4, one week after the previous October 28 date. Read more »
Hopscotch to distribute Say Nothing
Hopscotch Films will distribute Say Nothing, a “psycho drama/mystery” written and directed by Kieran Darcy-Smith and starring Joel Edgerton.
The $2m film will start production in November and, according to the Aquarius Films Twitter account, it will shoot in Australia and Cambodia – where the filmmakers recently found their locations and cast. Read more »
$1.4m for Victorian projects
Film Victoria will invest $1,389,871 on three documentaries, three TV series and two features.
Beneficiaries include an apocalyptic film produced by Antony Ginnane, a factual/fiction hybried by Amiel Courtin-Wilson, and a mini-series produced by Nicole Minchin (The Wedding Party, Lowdown). Read more »
Chapman, Pearlman join ACMI board
The Australian Centre for the Moving Image has announced the reappointment of John Thwaites for a second term as president, as well as the addition of Jan Chapman, Joel Pearlman, Michael Wachtel and Peter Lewinsky to the board.
According to Thwaites, the new appointments will help ACMI engage more strategically with the corporate sector. Read more »
A Heartbeat Away gets release date
Hoyts Distribution has announced that A Heartbeat Away will have a wide release on March 3, 2011.
“Hoyts Distribution and we filmmakers see A Heartbeat Away as a multiplex film, ” producer Chris Fitchett told Encore in February. Read more »
SPAA Fringe speakers announced
This year’s line-up for SPAA Fringe will include LA-based Cora Olsen (Present Pictures), distribution specialist and Fringe patron Peter Broderick (Paradigm Consulting), Victoria Treole (Blue Cat Pictures), Gil Scrine (Gil Scrine Films), Michael Favelle (Odin’s Eye Entertainment), Hungry Beast’s Elmo Keep and the team behind Blame, David Lightfoot, Ryan Hodgson and Melissa Kelly.
SPAA Fringe will be held at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, on October 22-23. Read more »
MUFF rewards Joseph Sim’s Bad Behaviour
Joseph Sim’s black comedy Bad Behaviour won six awards at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival, including Best Supporting Actress (Ellen Grimshaw), Best Supporting Actor (Roger Ward), Best Leading Actor (Lindsay Farris), Best Screenplay, Best Director (Joseph Sims).
It didn’t take home the Best Film award however; that honour went to Stuart Simpson’s’ El Monstro del Mar!, which also received Best Female Actor (Nelli Scarlet) and Best Cinematography (Stuart Simpson). Read more »