[press release from Spin Communications]
Steve Baker from Queensland has been awarded first prize at the 2009 Lancer Super Short Series for his film ‘Help’. This Tropfest initiative offered three past Tropfest winners the chance to create a new short film with the winner being chosen by the public in an online vote. The three films were screened at the Movie Extra Tropfest short film festival which took place on Sunday, 22 February 2009.
Steve Baker was thrilled to win the Lancer Super Short Series, “It’s really great to know the public enjoyed the film. My only hope was to make something entertaining and even a little unique for Australian advertising. This was easily one of the most enjoyable jobs I’ve ever worked on".
Baker’s animated film, ‘Help’ tells the story of a lone alien who crash-lands on Earth, and wanders the land desperate and afraid, only to discover his only salvation lies in the form of an unexpected friendship… In 2007 Steve took out first prize at Tropfest, the world’s largest short film festival, with his bittersweet film – ‘An Imaginary Life’, and was honored with an AFI nomination for Best Short Animated film.
In a change from last year’s format involving six Tropfest alumni Directors, the 2008-09 Lancer Supershort Series saw three directors create short films of up to three minutes in length which featured Mitsubishi’s all new Lancer Sportback model. Directors were encouraged to “make films, not ads”, and were given creative freedom and support in developing their scripts. A production budget of $40,000 was provided for each film.
The Lancer Supershort Series films were launched online on Boxing Day at www.lancersupershortseries.com.au where viewers had to chance to vote for their favourite of the three films and in doing so viewers were in the running to win a brand new Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, or one of hundreds of instant win prizes. The viewer who won the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is Tanya Neff from Victoria. A special 60 sec trailer was launched in cinemas followed by a staggered television launch on The Nine Network (6 -week period from early January), and Qantas in-flight.
Mitsubishi’s Executive Vice President of Brand and Marketing, Paul Unerkov was very pleased to announce the winner of the Lancer Supershort Series.
“Mitsubishi extends our congratulations to Steve, and also to this year’s runners-up who offered some very strong competition with truly wonderful short films,” said Mr Unerkov.
“All three films in the Lancer Supershort Series were interesting, creative, original, entertaining, and all beautifully showcased the fantastic Lancer Sportback.”
The all-new Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is available now from over 200 dealerships nationally.