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Subject: FTONEWS #210 Date: Tuesday, 20 March 2007 5:30 PM From: ftonews <[email protected]> To: ftonews <[email protected]> Conversation: FTONEWS #210 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FTONEWS #210: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FTO NEWS Aurora 2007 Projects Announced Crew Sought for New ABC TV Series, North Coast Far West NSW Promotion to International Filmmakers - $80,000 Work at the FTO – Deadline March 23 The Short Sited 11 Film Festival – March 24 Electrofringe 2007 – Deadline March 31 Chiko Accidental Alien - Congratulations Script Writing Award - $15,000 INDUSTRY NEWS 2007 X|MEDIA|LAB'S in Mumbai – March 26 WIFT - Creative Career Shortcuts Event – April 3 Content 360 Competition – Euro 100,000 ($AUD160,600) Prize --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AURORA 2007 Fred Schepisi and Nadia Tass are among filmmakers chosen for the FTO’s Aurora 2007 Intensive Script Development Program. Four new feature film scripts have been selected for the script development program run by the FTO, including films to be directed by leading Australian filmmakers Fred Schepisi and Nadia Tass. Participants in Aurora 2007 were announced in Sydney, March 14, by Academy Award winning filmmaker Dr. George Miller. MR DARWIN’S SHOOTER, the story of a friendship between a boy and a young Charles Darwin, has been adapted from Roger MacDonald’s book by Screenwriter John Alsop, with Fred Schepisi as Director and Penny Chapman as Producer. Fred Schepisi is one of Australia’s most celebrated directors whose many films include SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, A CRY IN THE DARK, PLENTY and THE CHANT OF JIMMIE BLACKSMITH. Producer Penny Chapman’s credits include the acclaimed television series THE ROAD FROM COORAIN and RAN. John Alsop has written or co-written such television series as RAN, MY BROTHER JACK, THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL and BRIDES OF CHRIST. Nadia Tass, who has made many iconic Australian films including AMY, MALCOLM, MR RELIABLE and THE BIG STEAL as well as several US productions including CHILD STAR: THE SHIRLEY TEMPLE STORY, is to direct SIX WEEKS OF HEAVEN. Writer is Chris Philips and Producer is Dennis Kiely. The film tells of a nine year old girl who seeks to fulfil the dying wish of her brother for one last summer holiday. Helen Bowden will produce Writer/Director Jennifer Kent’s script GRACE. GRACE is set in a world where women are one notch above convicts and savages. Grace, the daughter of a high-ranking official, is forced to face her terrible past. Helen has produced the films SOFT FRUIT, TRAVELLING LIGHT and PARKLANDS, and the documentary GIRL IN A MIRROR. Helen previously participated in Aurora with the film SHIVER, which is in development. Jennifer Kent grabbed attention with her award-winning short film MONSTER. Jennifer, who had a successful career as an actor before switching to writing/directing, also directed the TWO TWISTED episode LOVE CRIMES. The team behind the fourth project ELEVEN MONTHS are filmmakers Michael Joy (Writer/Director) and John L Simpson (Producer). It’s the story of a man with just $150 and a desire to get drunk. The Advisors who will be working with these four selected teams include Australian Producer Jan Chapman (SOMERSAULT, LOVE SERENADE, THE PIANO), Australian Director Shirley Barrett (LOVE SERENADE, WALK THE TALK) and International Advisors Laurie Parker, Producer of films including IN THE CUT, MY PRIVATE IDAHO and EVEN COWGIRLS GET THE BLUES, and Graham Leader, Producer of IN THE BEDROOM which was nominated for five Academy Awards, and the recently completed CHILDLESS. “The importance of the script can never be underestimated. A great story is the key to connecting powerfully with an audience. The Aurora process enables filmmakers – whether they are experienced or relatively new to film - to engage with their script at a very deep level and, with the assistance of the advisors, to really identify, develop and hone their story,” said Tania Chambers, FTO Chief Executive. The Aurora 2007 workshop takes place on the south coast of New South Wales later this month. For more information about the FTO’s Aurora program: Page 1 of 4 Contact: Harriet McKern, Coordinator, Aurora PH: 02-9264-6400 Email: [email protected] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CREW SOUGHT FOR NEW ABC TV SERIES, NORTH COAST Producers of EAST OF EVERYTHING, the new ABC TV Series to be produced in Bryon Bay, are seeking local crew from the Northern Rivers region of NSW. See the newspaper story in The Echo, for the full story: http://www.fto.nsw.gov.au/content.asp?content=3&Id=433 Republished with permission from and thanks to The Echo newspaper, Byron. EAST OF EVERYTHING was supported by the FTO’s Development & Investment Unit and Production Liaison Unit. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GOVT FUNDS PROMOTE FAR WEST NSW TO INTERNATIONAL FILMMAKERS The New South Wales Government is providing $80, 000 for a marketing strategy to promote the state’s far west as an international film location. Online Newstory: Web: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200703/s1865351.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- POSITION AVAILABLE AT THE FTO – DEADLINE MARCH 23 Further information for the position of Administrative Assistant: Web: http://www.fto.nsw.gov.au/content.asp?content=6 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE SHORT SITED 11 FILM FESTIVAL- MARCH 24 The Short Sited 11 Film Festival is being held in the largest seated venue for film in the Illawarra area at The University of Wollongong. The Festival’s pre-selection panel will be choosing 18 films this year from a wide selection of films, including “dark” dramas, comedies, and a homage to famous filmmakers. Festival Director, Julie Prsa, says films have been received from local content creators, as well those based nationally and internationally. “The judges will have a difficult choice picking the winner but all films are intriguing.” Judges this year are Louise McBryde from Film Illawarra, Shane Abbess, director of soon-to-be-released feature, GABRIEL, and Dwaine Stevenson, an actor who plays the lead villain in this film. Ms Prsa says despite screening on election day, she expects a strong audience turnout, as happened when the festival screened on the same days as a previous state election poll. When: Saturday March 24th at 7pm. Where: University Hall, University of Wollongong. Plenty of parking available. Cost: Entry is by donation For more information: Web: http://www.shortsited.org SHORT SITED FESTIVAL is supported by the FTO through the Industry & Audience Development grants program. For more information about the I&AD program: Web: http://www.fto.nsw.gov.au/fund.asp?id=52 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ELECTROFRINGE 2007 – DEADLINE FOR PROPOSALS MARCH 31 Electrofringe is a 5-day festival of electronic arts and culture featuring national and international artists, occurring as part of the 'This Is Not Art' festival in Newcastle, NSW. The festival is dedicated to unearthing emergent forms, presenting innovative work and encouraging participants to explore technology collaboratively through skills development and exchange. Electrofringe 2007 is now calling for proposals for this year's festival from artists, media makers, curators, researchers, writers, producers, and enthusiasts. Event organisers are calling for submissions of both online works and screen works for inclusion in this year's festival program. Deadline for proposals - Saturday March 31 Deadline for online and screen works - Thursday May 31 Details: Web: http://www.electrofringe.net ELECTROFRINGE is supported by the FTO through the Industry & Audience Development grants program. For more information about the I&AD program: Web: http://www.fto.nsw.gov.au/fund.asp?id=52 Page 2 of 4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHIKO ACCIDENTAL ALIEN - CONGRATULATIONS The FTO congratulates Australian indie interactive producer Indigo Digital which triumphed at the 13th Annual AIMIA Awards held in Sydney, March 2. Indigo won the Best Childrens Award for on-line interactive game CHIKO ACCIDENTAL ALIEN. With FTO development funding and developed as part of the AFC/ABC Broadband Production Initative, CHIKO ACCIDENTAL ALIEN was created by Stephane Zerbib and written by Stu Connolly. The game has attracted a record number of hits from Australian kids, as well as internationally-based children through viral distribution, since the game’s release on the ABC Kid’s web site in June. Web: http://www.abc.net.au/chiko --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NSW PREMIER’S 2007 SCRIPT WRITING AWARD - $15,000 This year’s shortlist for the $15,000 Script Writing Award will be announced at an event in Sydney’s Gleebooks store, April 24. Anyone interested in attending this event should contact the following: PH: 02-9660-2333 – Gleebooks, 49 Glebe Point Road, Glebe. Web Map: http://www.gleebooks.com.au/default.asp?p=maps_htm PH: 02-9228-4351

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