ScreenACT Newsletter

Flickerfest International Short Film Festival Screening (Rating MA 15+)
8.15pm, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February, Electric Shadows Cinemas

Flickerfest International Short Film Festival, Australia's only Academy Award accredited short film festival, is touring Canberra this weekend, 18-19 February at Electric Shadows, City Walk, Akuna Street.

Flickerfest will be screening two programs of International and Australian films. These films have all won prizes at many international film festivals and give a strong feeling for the preoccupations and issues for filmmakers all over the world.

Included in the selection is CITY PARADISE, the BAFTA winning Best Animation, and a soulful short film starring Selma Blair and executive produced by George Clooney and Stephen Soderberg, THE BIG EMPTY.

Also screening is AZADI by Australian writer/director Anthony Maras, which won the SBS prize at Flickerfest's recent Awards Night in Bondi and is about the plight of an Afghani refugee held in Woomera Detention Camp.

For session details, visit: www.electricshadows.com.au. More information about Flickerfest can be found at: www.flickerfest.com.au.

From the Editor

Happy New Year and welcome to the first ScreenACT Newsletter for 2006!

2006 is already promising to be a big year for our local industry, with exciting developments for each of the local businesses ScreenACT supported to attend the Asia Television Forum/Asia Film Market & Conference 2005, as part of the Asia Media Festival in Singapore late last year. Feedback to date from each of the ACT delegates suggests that participation at the event enabled them to develop leads, enter into negotiations on future projects and co-productions, or sell existing content. All in all, this was a very worthwhile delegation and ScreenACT once again applauds each participants commitment to developing their export business. ScreenACT looks forward to continuing to support members of our local industry to expand into the export market in future.

While traditionally a quiet period, January attracted some overseas film and television makers to Canberra, including a French documentary crew working on a project with the Australian National University and a UK television crew filming an episode on native wildlife in an urban environment for a new UK television series.

February looks set to be a busy month for the film and television sector, with a number of local screenings due to take place. Our local film and television sector will also find in this newsletter a number of local, national and international festivals and competitions with pending entry deadlines to inspire your creativity.

Article submissions are due by COB 22 February 2006.
ScreenACT welcomes news stories, upcoming events and other items of interest from subscribers for inclusion in our newsletter.

Please ensure all articles are accurate and have been proofread prior to submission. ScreenACT holds no responsibility for the publication of inaccurate information submitted to it by external parties and reserves the right to edit and/or refuse articles at its discretion.

Articles should be submitted by email to screenact@act.gov.au with Newsletter Item in the subject line.

This month, ScreenACT is supporting three ACT documentary filmmakers to attend the Australian International Documentary Conference in Melbourne, as previously announced in our newsletter. ScreenACT was very impressed by the number and quality of this years AIDC applicants, with a significant increase in the number of responses from last year, suggesting a promising future for documentary filmmaking in the ACT. The three successful applicants for AIDC 2006 are Harriet Pike (Ronin Films), Belinda Pratten (Freeswimmers) and Paul Hoad (Plum Media).

The three documentary filmmakers supported by ScreenACT to attend AIDC 2005 gave fantastic feedback following the event, indicating that it enabled them to gather valuable information and contacts, attract interest in current projects and identify opportunities for new projects, including co-productions. ScreenACT hopes the three successful applicants attending this years AIDC will find it equally rewarding.

The ACT Filmmakers Network annual general meeting was held on Sunday 18 December 2005. All three nominations to the executive committee were confirmed, as follows:

Stavros Georgiadis President
Julie Fraser Secretary
Nicole Neveu Committee Member

A project of ACT filmmaker Adrian Herring (Journocam Productions) has been selected as one of five short-listed documentary projects for the SBS Independent Pitch and Punt at the Australian International Documentary Conference on Tuesday 14 February.

The five short-listed projects will be given the opportunity to take part in the pitching competition at AIDC.

The winning pitch will receive a development investment deal of up to AUD$10,000 from SBSi. The selected documentary will then be developed with a view to possible production contingent upon a final treatment, creative team and budget being appropriate for SBSi.

8pm, Thursday 2 February, Holy Grail Civic
Free admission

The first Canberra Shorts of the year is on at 8pm, Thursday 2 February at the Holy Grail in Civic. After a successful first year as the premier regular networking event for filmmakers in the ACT (where total attendance exceeded 1,000 people), Canberra Shorts is back with the best national and international short films courtesy of SNOWYfest Thredbo, the challenging movie trivia competition hosted by Canberra's own Magnet Mart Man Brendan Sloane, and talks by nationally recognised industry practitioners. The talks start with Julia Overton, who this month will talk about Indie Filmmaking and the various types of government support available to get your feature off the ground. Julia is from the Film Finance Corporation and was formerly with the Australian Film Commission.

The giveaways of Inside Film magazine continue, along with drink giveaways, and the very popular double passes to Electric Shadows.

All are welcome and admission is FREE thanks to the volunteers who run the event and its generous sponsors. Canberra Shorts is proudly supported by SNOWYfest Thredbo, Electric Shadows, the Academy of Interactive Entertainment, and the ACT Filmmakers Network.

Canberra Shorts always welcomes submissions from local filmmakers. Entry is free and forms can be found at www.canberrashorts.com.

7.30pm, Friday 10 - Tuesday 14 February, Tuggeranong Arts Centre
Admission: Adults $10 Concession $8

Nineteenth Hole presents 'Perfect', an independent, feature-length film written, directed and edited by Christian Doran and starring Andrea Close, George Huitker, Justin Greenaway, and Hana Tow.

Perfect is the story of a young mans quest to save his little sister from their life of imperfection. Following the guide of a 70's TV show, Anthony Lome (Ant) lures a young girl (Grace) and her seemingly perfect family into letting him stay at their house. Once Ant is let in, can their illusion of perfection survive or will they die with it?

Perfect will be screened over 5 nights from 10-14 February from 7.30pm at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre. The film is rated MA 15+ and runs for 87 minutes. Perfect was made in Canberra with a Canberran cast.

For bookings, contact the Tuggeranong Arts Centre on 6293 1443. Admission is $10 ($8 concession). The premier night is a black tie event with wine and cheese starting at 7:00pm. For more information, go to www.nineteenthhole.com.au.

7.00pm, Friday 24 February, National Museum of Australia
Free admission, age 15+

short::seasons is a short film festival focusing on showcasing the work of filmmakers from Canberra, Australia. It is a non-competitive short film festival no prizes will be awarded. The aim is to demonstrate the strength and quality of the work of independent filmmakers who live and work in Canberra. short::seasons is held twice a year, and the festivals are named according to the season in which they are held.
For more information, visit: www.shortseasons.com.au or email shortseasons@hotmail.com.

5.00pm (films from 7.45pm), Sunday 26 February, Stage 88, Commonwealth Park
Free admission


Sony Tropfest is a national festival screened via satellite in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and Hobart. The Canberra screening is hosted by the National Capital Authority at Stage 88, Commonwealth Park. The event commences at 5.00pm with films commencing at 7.45pm. Food and beverages are available at the venue and parking is available at Futsul Slab Acton Park, Civic or the Parliamentary Zone. Phone 1300 88 22 72 or 02 6257 1068 or go to www.nationalcapital.gov.au for details. Admission is free.

Entry deadline: 17 March 2006

The Weereewa Short Film Competition is calling for entries up to a maximum of 10 minutes from filmmakers, artists and students. The theme can be on any facet of Weereewa/Lake George or using Lake George as the location. Entries can be from any genre.

Prizes for the Competition are $1,000 for the winning entry, $500 for the runner-up and $300 for third. There will be a special prize of $200 for the best film by a student. The cost of entry is $25 or $10 for students. Entries close Friday, 17 March, 2006.

Screening and final judging will take place on Friday 31 March at Bungendore Memorial Hall on the Kings Highway in Bungendore Village in southeast NSW.

Entry forms and further details are available from www.menofthehour.com. For more information, email: danielsanguineti@menofthehour.com or chrismaher@menofthehour.com, or phone 02 6248 5117.

Entry deadline: 31 March 2006

Entries are now open for SNOWYfest 2006. Entry forms are available at www.snowyfest.com and entries close 31 March 2006. The Best Capital Region film category continues in 2006 with $1,500 cash again up for grabs for local filmmakers. The festival runs from 16-18 June 2006 in Thredbo, NSW.

Entry deadline: 20 May 2006

SCINEMA is calling for science films or multimedia to screen as part of the 2006 Festival of Science Film, screening across Australia in August 2006 in celebration of National Science Week. The festival has three categories:

National Student Short Film Competition - open to all Australian Primary, Secondary and Tertiary students - make a short film on the subject of 'sustainability'.

International Film Festival - open to Australian and international science films, documentaries, television programs, fiction films and animations - anything with a science theme. This is a competitive film festival judged by a Jury chaired by COSMOS MAGAZINE.

Multimedia - websites, CDRoms, Student Projects, Installations - multi-media is included in the 2006 program for the first time - multimedia entries will have a science education theme, preferably addressing the theme of sustainability.

Visit the SCINEMA website (www.csiro.au/scinema/enter/index.html) for TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Entry deadline is May 20, 2006. For more information, email: scinema@csiro.au.

Do you work for a school, museum, library or art gallery? Like to screen SCINEMA at your venue in 2006? For more information, email: scinema@csiro.au.

Application deadline: 10 February 2006
The Indigenous Branch of the Australian Film Commission invites applications for a new 5-minute drama initiative entitled Bit of Black Business.

The business of being black today takes many forms... outrageous, courageous, mysterious, simple, straightforward and complex... the good, the bad and the ugly. But what makes our bit of business unique/special?

The AFC and SBSi are calling on emerging and established Indigenous program makers from across Australia to submit 5-minute fictional TV story ideas that explore individual notions and experiences of contemporary Black Business, from the unique perspective of Indigenous Australians. Up to 20 outstanding story ideas will be developed, with up to 13 programs commissioned for production.

Each story is expected to be driven by a compelling contemporary character, whose story contains fresh and insightful points of view on black business today. No experience in television writing or production is required, but a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in this field is essential.

Each application must have Indigenous Australians in key creative roles (minimum writer and director). The closing date is 10 February 2006. For a copy of the guidelines contact the Indigenous Branch of the Australian Film Commission at:

Tel: 02 9321 6499
Fax: 02 9357 3672
Toll Free: 1800 226 615
Email: indigenous@afc.gov.au
Website: www.afc.gov.au
Guidelines and application forms are available from the website.

Application deadline: 10 February 2006
The Indigenous Branch of the Australian Film Commission invites applications for a new 5-minute drama initiative entitled Bit of Black Business.

The business of being black today takes many forms... outrageous, courageous, mysterious, simple, straightforward and complex... the good, the bad and the ugly. But what makes our bit of business unique/special?

The AFC and SBSi are calling on emerging and established Indigenous program makers from across Australia to submit 5-minute fictional TV story ideas that explore individual notions and experiences of contemporary Black Business, from the unique perspective of Indigenous Australians. Up to 20 outstanding story ideas will be developed, with up to 13 programs commissioned for production.

Each story is expected to be driven by a compelling contemporary character, whose story contains fresh and insightful points of view on black business today. No experience in television writing or production is required, but a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in this field is essential.

Each application must have Indigenous Australians in key creative roles (minimum writer and director). The closing date is 10 February 2006. For a copy of the guidelines contact the Indigenous Branch of the Australian Film Commission at:

Tel: 02 9321 6499
Fax: 02 9357 3672
Toll Free: 1800 226 615
Email: indigenous@afc.gov.au
Website: www.afc.gov.au
Guidelines and application forms are available from the website.

Application deadline: 10 February 2006
The Indigenous Branch of the Australian Film Commission invites applications for a new 5-minute drama initiative entitled Bit of Black Business.

The business of being black today takes many forms... outrageous, courageous, mysterious, simple, straightforward and complex... the good, the bad and the ugly. But what makes our bit of business unique/special?

The AFC and SBSi are calling on emerging and established Indigenous program makers from across Australia to submit 5-minute fictional TV story ideas that explore individual notions and experiences of contemporary Black Business, from the unique perspective of Indigenous Australians. Up to 20 outstanding story ideas will be developed, with up to 13 programs commissioned for production.

Each story is expected to be driven by a compelling contemporary character, whose story contains fresh and insightful points of view on black business today. No experience in television writing or production is required, but a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in this field is essential.

Each application must have Indigenous Australians in key creative roles (minimum writer and director). The closing date is 10 February 2006. For a copy of the guidelines contact the Indigenous Branch of the Australian Film Commission at:

Tel: 02 9321 6499
Fax: 02 9357 3672
Toll Free: 1800 226 615
Email: indigenous@afc.gov.au
Website: www.afc.gov.au
Guidelines and application forms are available from the website.

An exceptional film and television student will receive $30,000 in funding to pursue their training under a new partnership between FOXTEL and the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS).

The FOXTEL Scholarship for Exceptional New Talent aims to recruit, select and support an outstandingly talented student in the emerging screen production landscape who has demonstrated exceptional creative potential.

The annual one-year Scholarship is open to AFTRS students from the FOXTEL/AFTRS Subscription Television course who show potential for innovation and leadership at the highest level.

AFTRS students will be eligible from the following discipline areas:

- 2006 Master of Arts students in Screenwriting, Producing, Directing and Digital Media who have successfully completed their Graduate Diploma

- 2006 students in the Graduate Diploma in Television Producing

The winner of the scholarship will be announced at the AFTRS Industry Awards night in March 2006.

Applications should reach Trish Kench in the AFTRS Student Centre by 5pm, Friday 17 February 2006. Email: patricia.kench@aftrs.edu.au.

Entry deadline: 18 February 2006

D>Art.06 is the ninth edition of Australias premier screen and digital media arts festival. This years festival will feature new and experimental video and web art as well as works using mobile technologies presented in a month-long program of screenings, a forum and an exhibition at the Sydney Opera House Studio and Exhibition Hall in April 2006.

Under the theme Condition of Emergence, dLux media arts is now calling for works in the following categories of D>Art.06:

- D>Art.06 Screen: Experimental video works with a maximum duration of 15 minutes
- D>Art.06 Web: Online works suitable for exhibition in a gallery environment
- D>Art.06 Locative / Mobile: Artworks specifically made with or for mobile technologies. The nature of the artwork may range from video to games to locative and social networking applications.

All works submitted must have been completed in 2005 or 2006. Entries close on 18 February 2006. Any entries not received by this date will not be accepted.

For more information, detailed entry conditions and to submit your work to D>Art.06, please visit http://www.dlux.org.au/dart06.

Entry deadline: 5pm, 22 February 2006

Australias longest running short film awards is again seeking the best in local short film-making. The 2006 Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films, proudly supported by Dendy Cinemas and Dendy Films, are open to all Australian productions under 60 minutes completed in the last year.

Winners in each of the 6 categories will receive a cash prize: Best Long Form Short ($3,000); Best Short Form Short ($3,000); Best Documentary ($3,000), Best Experimental ($3,000); The Yoram Gross Animation Award ($3,000); the Rouben Mamoulian Award ($3,000); and the Multicultural (CRC) Award ($4,000).

Entries must be received by the festival office no later than 5pm on the 22nd of February 2006.

Entry forms and information is available from the Sydney Film Festival website: www.sydneyfilmfestival.org or call Sarah Lancaster on (02) 9280 0511, email: freight@sydneyfilmfestival.org.

Entry deadline: 31 March 2006

SBS Independent is looking for scripts for their ground-breaking new drama series MARX AND VENUS. Marx and Venus is an innovative joint venture with ScreenWest.

Marx and Venus will be a series of short television situation dramas based around two characters developed by Geoffrey Atherden of Mother and Son and Grassroots fame. The series features flat-mates John Marx and Venus Hoy - and the trials and tribulations they face sharing their flat. Two exciting up and coming actors have been cast in the title roles John Marx will be played by Bryce Youngman and Venus Hoy will be played by Emma Lung (Peaches, Stranded).

The programs are to be used as interstitials in SBS schedule. They are intended to be bright and fresh and fit an M classification. Marx and Venus will be shown five nights a week in primetime, and each episode will be only five minutes long.

SBS is looking for 25 scripts. Anyone and everyone can submit a script. Although it is expected that many well-known writers will contribute, potential writers don't have to have any previous experience. The successful writers will each receive $2,000 for their script.

Once the scripts are selected the entire series will be produced by a Western Australian production company and directed by Western Australian resident directors.

Marx and Venus is scheduled to go to air early 2007. Visit www.marxandvenus.com.au for information on character profiles and how to submit your script.

Entry deadline: 31 March 2006

Cortoons is an International Short Animated Film Festival which will take place at Palladium Theatre in Rome, Italy from 26-28 April 2006.

There are five competition categories:

• Best Italian from 1 to 20 minutes
• Best Italian from 1 to 4 minutes
• Best International from 1 to 20 minutes
• Best International from 1to 4 minutes
• Best realized with Flash

All techniques of animation are accepted. Admission is free. The short films must be produced after 1 January 2003. The deadline is 31 March 2006. To download the entry form visit: www.cortoons.it. For more information, contact: info@cortoons.it.

13-16 February, Hilton on the Park, Melbourne

The Australian International Documentary Conference is being held in Melbourne from 13-16 February.

The 2006 program offers fresh insights into the factual future with debate, discussion and many opportunities for deal making. Masterclasses and workshops will raise and explore the issues and challenges faced by documentary practitioners today. Increased market place and social events offer delegates networking opportunities over the four days.

ScreenACT is a proud sponsor of AIDC 2006 and, as noted earlier in the newsletter, is supporting three local documentary filmmakers to attend the event.

Deadline: 10 March

Podlove, a new initiative developed and funded by the AFC and SBSi, will explore the impact of digital communications on our relationships with friends, family, lovers and strangers. Five avant-garde documentaries of five minutes each will be broadcast on SBS television and be placed on an advanced interactive website. The Podlove films will use mixed media, utilising digital technologies and hybrid content to maximise the visual and aural aesthetics of the work, producing challenging and compelling stories with a strong narrative and universal appeal. Live action, animation, composite imagery, visual and aural processing, and archival as well as alternatively sourced material may be combined in the production of each documentary. Guidelines and application forms are now available on the AFC website: www.afc.gov.au.

February deadlines for Australian Film Commission funding are listed below:

Film Development:

3 February Strand D Draft Funding (Feature)
3 February Strand V Interactive Digital Media Early Development
3 February Strand W Interactive Digital Media Matched Investment
3 February Broadband Cross-Media Production Initiative (Documentary multiplatform delivery)
10 February Internships
17 February Strand L Shooting Time-Critical Material (Documentary, Documentary Series)
24 February Strand J Documentary Early Development (Documentary, Documentary Series)
24 February Strand K Documentary Development (Documentary, Documentary Series)

Indigenous:

10 February Bit of Black Business (Short drama)
10 February Black on White (NIDF 8) (Documentaries)

Travel grants (1 March deadlines):

1 March Type B: Market Attendance Producers with Market Experience (Features)
1 March Type C: Market Attendance Producers Developing Market Experience (Features)