Call for entries: Indian Film Festival short film comp
The Indian Film Festival – Bollywood and Beyond has put out a call for entries for their short film continent-jumping competition.
The festival tours Australia and New Zealand is an annual celebration of Indian cinema; from Hindi blockbusters to Bengali arthouse, with the biggest stars of Indian cinema as special guests.
The competition is open to up and coming Australasian and Indian filmmakers. All films must be over ten minutes and carry the theme “Connections”.
The winner from Australasia will receive a trip to Mumbai, the home of Bollywood, while the winning Indian filmmaker will receive an invite and travel to Melbourne as a guest of IFF.
Summer Coda director to helm Aussie Rules film
Richard Gray, writer director of Summer Coda and the American Thriller Mine Games will direct Blinder, a film about AFL, romance and scandal.
Written by Gray, Scott Didier and Michele Davis-Gray the film is in the vein of Friday Night Lights and Bend it Like Beckham, but with a Sherrin, about an ex-footballer plagued by scandal who returns home after a long absence to clear his name and falls in love.
Casting is currently underway for the feature which will begin production in Torquay, Victoria on February 20, 2012 before moving to Boston Massachusetts to finish filming.
Gray, and Didier will produce with Virginia Kay and Bryce Menzies (Malcolm, Death in Brunswick, Two Hands) alongside AFL greats Glenn Archer, Adrian Gleeson and Sam Kekovich.
Eagleton joins Fuel VFX as head of colour
Fuel VFX have announced the appointment of Ben Eagleton as Head of Colour.
Eagleton said: “I’m very excited to be back in Australia and to have joined the team at Fuel. I’ve been impressed with the work they have been doing in recent years, and now look forward to contributing to Fuel’s slate of projects.”
Andrew Hellen, Fuel VFX Managing Director said: “We’re extremely pleased to welcome Ben to the Fuel family. He’s a true artist and colour space is something we’re very passionate about. We’re looking forward to adding Ben’s talent and experience to Fuel’s projects.”
The appointment has Eagleton return to Australia after two years in New York.
Digital Pictures appoint Sarah Cloutier as Melbourne’s GM
Digital Pictures Australia general manager John Fleming has appointed Sarah Cloutier as general manager for the company’s Melbourne office.
The Post production house is a part of OmniLab Media.
The press release said: “The ongoing opportunities brought on by digital technology and the ever-changing environment of the post production industry globally necessitates this change and will ensure the business continues to deliver innovative post production and digital solutions to the market.”
Shortlist revealed for Queensland New Filmmakers Awards
The Queensland New Filmmakers Awards has announced the shortlist for this year’s competition.
“We hope to see this year’s nominees go on to bigger and better things – including eventually screening their films at the Brisbane International Film Festival,” said Richard Moore, head of screen culture at Screen Queensland.
QNFA will be the final event at BIFF which gets under way later this week.
The shortlist: Read more »
More wins for The Wedding Party but no local distribution
Actors Josh Lawson and Isabel Lucas have been named Best Hollywood Newcomers at the Beverly Hills Film, TV and New Media Festival for their roles in an Australian film which is yet to get distribution two years after being made.
Despite gaining recognition at a number of festivals including picking up the Melbourne International Film Festival audience award, it now looks like The Wedding Party will not get a release this year.
Directed by Amanda Jane and produced by Nicole Minchin, The Wedding Party opened MIFF last year.
In late May, Minchin told Encore: “We are looking forward to a local release in the second half of this year with an announcement in the coming weeks.”
However, she today told Encore: “The thing is, we haven’t struggled to get distribution, it’s about finding the best distribution plan. It’s an audience film, as our MIFF win shows, so it’s only spurred us on to make sure it gets seen in cinemas.
“We’re planning on releasing it early next year. I can’t say who’s distributing it. We’re currently finalising the distribution agreement.”
Filmmakers descend on Canberra to campaign for local content
A delegation of Australian film and TV creators is today visiting Canberra to promote the importance of local content.
Directors Gillian Armstrong and Stephan Elliott and actress and AFI board member Sigrid Thornton will argue the importance for local content on Australian screens in light of the Government’s convergence review. Read more »
Less than half of young Australians believe having local screen industry is ‘very important’
The younger Australians are, the less likely they are to believe that having a local screen industry is very important, a poll carried out for Screen Australia suggests.
According to the survey, less than half of all 14 to 29-year-olds felt that it was very important for Australia to have a local film and TV industry producing Australian stories.
In every other age group, well above half of thsoe surveyed said it was very important.
Emile Sherman’s Shame nominated for Seven BIFAs
The Emile Sherman-produced, Steve McQueen-directed film Shame has received seven nominations in the British Independent Film Awards.
The film is a front runner in the awards, alongside Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Tyrannosaur, all on seven nominations.
Shame is up for best film, best director McQueen, and best screenplay for Abi Morgan and Steve McQueen.
SPAAmart announces film executive line-up
The Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) have announced the line up of film executives attending SPAAmart.
Held during the annual SPAA Conference (14-15 November), six international and 12 local companies will attend the feature film market to meet with seven pre-selected filmmakers regarding specific feature projects.