ScreenACT Newsletter: June 2010

Friday, June 18, 2010

SPAA Chapter to open in the ACT

A Chapter of SPAA – the Screen Producers Association of Australia – is currently being established here in the ACT. SPAA is the industry body that represents Australian independent film and television producers on all issues affecting the business and creative aspects of screen production.

The ACT Chapter will meet around four times a year, providing a chance to network as well as the opportunity to be part of the national debate. Speakers will be invited at least twice a year, including SPAA’s Executive Director and interstate producers.

Please note the Chapter’s focus is on business rather than arts-related issues.

SPAA memberships are currently on special until 31 July. Producer (credited) memberships are now only $275 (a saving of $154) and Associate memberships (uncredited) are now $175 (a saving of $100). Memberships run from 1 July to 31st July.

Join now and be part of the ACT’s growing voice in film and television. For more information, contact Georgina Jenkins on info@bygeorge.com.au

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Project Pod Moving Forward

Phase 1 of Project Pod was a great success attended by 45 participants representing 38 projects. After much work, writing, rewriting and presentations, the participants had the opportunity to pitch their projects to a panel of industry professionals from interstate. They received on the spot feedback which they were able to work into their final treatments. These treatments were then assessed by three independent adjudicators and ScreenACT is pleased to announce the ten projects and teams, out of a very competitive group, that have been selected to go through to Phase 2 of Project Pod.

Belinda Barancewicz, And They're Off, a mockumentary
Michael Kraaz, The Great Unsigned, a documentary
Marisa Martin/Geraldine Martin, Della Morte Sisters, a TV series
Allan Geddes, Elemental Guardians, an animated children's TV series
Michael Tear/Serge Ou, Tuvalu, a feature film
Ian Hart, The Porpoise, a documentary
Kris Kerahona, Born for War, a feature film
Lucas Li, D'Orks, a children's TV series
Phil Selby, Ghosting, an adult animated TV series
Owen Cusik/Justene Taylor-Cannon, Cupcake Kid, children's TV series

Over the next few months the teams and projects will work one on one with a script developer to further develop their projects.

A special extra workshop is being run to give some further advice and pointers to those participants who are not going through to Phase 2, but are continuing to work on their very worthwhile projects. Stay tuned for further news.

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Metroscreen Pitching Comp

SPAA Fringe Pitching Competition are now calling for submissions. Can you sell your project in under 3 minutes? Well, here is your chance to win over industry heads with your project.

After the end of submissions (9th of August), 10 finalists will be chosen to pitch their idea in front of a judging panel of industry professionals on 2nd September . The panelists will then provide feedback.

The judges will mainly focus on
• what story is the project telling?
• Is this project commercially viable, if so, how?
• What media platforms would this be suited to?
• The audience
• The distribution strategy.

Metro Screen is also running an intensive pitching seminar and providing access to individual pitch workshops in July. For further information, contact e.stewart@metroscreen.org.au

For this information and more, please visit http://www.metroscreen.org.au/BookingRetrieve.aspx?ID=89647&A=SearchResult&SearchID=1425204&ObjectID=89647&ObjectType=48
Prizes
First place
• $1,500 cash
• $3,500 in-kind hire and post production services from Metro Screen
• A registration to the SPAA Fringe Conference 2010 [Oct 22 & 23] to represent NSW in the SDA National Pitching Competition and be in the running to win $1,500 plus the chance to pitch your project in the Holding Redlich Pitching Competition at the SPAA Conference in November. The winner of the Holding Redlich Pitching Competition will go on to receive a return airfare for one to the Cannes Film Festival or a TV Market in 2010/11 and a $1,500 cash prize plus free registration to SPAA 2011 Conference.
• Mentoring from Metro Screen in preparation for the SPAA Fringe Conference.
2nd place
• $1,500 in-kind hire and post production services from Metro Screen
3rd place
• $1,000 in-kind hire and post production services from Metro Screen
Extra prizes.
All those who apply to pitch no matter whether you are chosen to pitch on 02 Sep or not will go in the running for a registration to SPAA Fringe and industry software

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Canberra Short Film Festival

Canberra Short Film Festival submissions are closing soon! If you wish to be a part of this film festival, submit your film at this address http://www.withoutabox.com/login/5428 by 31st July.
Canberra Short Film Festival will take place over three nights, Thursday 30th September until Saturday 2nd October.

There are four competitions-
• The National Open Competition, which is open to anyone. The best film will receive $2000.
• The Canberra & Region Competition is only available to those who live in the region. Prize money will be $1500.
• The National Youth Competition is open to people 25 years and under. Prize money is $1000 given to the Producer of the best film.
• And, lastly, the National Schools Competition, open only to Grades 1-12. Prize money of $750.
Films are to be under 20 minutes.
For further information see www.silversunpictures.com.au/csff/

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Something Funny about Rottnest?

The Search for Australia’s Funniest Filmmakers begins on Rottnest Island, Western Australia.
Following the sold-out success of the inaugural Rottofest in 2009, Rottnest Island will come alive for 3 days in August (27th - 29th) as Rottofest returns in 2010 to showcase Australia’s funniest filmmakers.

Explains Festival Director, Ronan Freeburn: “This is a festival created by filmmakers who felt their was a void in the industry with regards to comedy filmmaking. A lot of prominent people in the film industry don't understand comedy and therefore choose to ignore it. Rottofest is here to shine the spotlight on comedy filmmaking”.
The “Search for Australia’s Funniest Filmmakers” is a new and exciting addition to Rottofest 2010 aimed at stimulating comedy film production nationwide. Mr. Freeburn adds “The motto of Rottofest is anything goes in terms of dark comedy, slapstick, mockumentary, satirical etc. We don't wanna limit filmmakers by slapping an agenda on the content. Don't be afraid to push some comedy boundaries - that's why we have set an R18+ rating. No one gets anywhere just repeating the tried and tested formula”.

The festival contains two categories for comedy filmmakers to enter:
Funniest Skit – Up to 3 minutes in length. The first dedicated skit competition in Australia (Prize TBA). “Everyone whether they be a filmmaker, comedian or person on the street will tell you they have an idea for skit - they rarely follow through because their is no real medium outside of youtube to screen it. The best thing about making a skit is that they can be made for cheap and filmed on a weekend” adds Mr. Freeburn.

Funniest Film – Between 3 to 15 minutes in length (Prize TBA). “This is the category we hope filmmakers will hone their comedy craft before eventually moving on to features” says Mr. Freeburn.

Selected skits and short films will be showcased at Rottofest 2010 and also screened at the 9th Annual Bohemia Outdoor Film Festival in 2011. The entry form for comedy filmmakers is available on www.rottofest.com.au. Details on Rottofest’s full line-up and tickets coming soon.

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Fly Fishing Festival

Since 2006, the Rise Fly Fishing Film Festival has screened to over 16000 fly fishers around the world.
During 2010, film makers Nick Reygaert and Silvio Caldelari host the evening.
The Canberra screening will be held on the 29th July, at 7.30pm at the National Gallery. Tickets are $25 dollars.
For more information, visit http://www.gin-clear.com/gin-clear%20Film%20Festival/film%20fest.html

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QueerScreen

queerDOC, Australia’s GLBT documentary film festival which is annually screened in September in Sydney. The first of its kind, queerDOC still remains the largest forum for GLBT docos in the world. Both feature length and short documentaries, cinéma verite and mockumentaries are accepted and encouraged to submit before July.
For submission forms, and more information, go to http://www.queerscreen.com.au/page/queerdoc-2010

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Friday, June 18, 2010

SPAA Chapter to open in the ACT

Project Pod Moving Forward

Metroscreen Pitching Comp

Canberra Short Film Festival

Something Funny about Rottnest?

Fly Fishing Festival

QueerScreen