http://if.com.au/ Inside Film - Australia en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss info@if.com.au (The Editor) http://if.com.au////article/CKJCPMLCMF http://if.com.au////article/EXCLUSIVE-Roland-Joffes-Singularity-starring-Josh-Hartnett-in-administration/CKJCPMLCMF.html Brendan Swift The company behind $28 million Australian-UK co-production Singularity has been placed into administration, owing millions of dollars to creditors including cast, crew and suppliers. The film – directed by Oscar-nominated Roland Joffé and starring Josh Hartnett, Bipasha Basu andŒNeve Campbell – was plagued by budget troubles for months before administrators were finally called in late last year. It is one of the biggest disasters to befall the Australian film industry in years. An estimated $15.13 million is owed to creditors, according to Worrells Solvency & Forensic Accountants, which is winding up Singularity Productions Pty Ltd. Worrells told creditors that it had now secured all of the company’s books and records, which it was reviewing,... Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:11:29 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/GCSLZCUTPS http://if.com.au////article/Ben-Mendelsohn-Sophie-Lowe-and-Gary-Sweet-join-The-Grandmothers/GCSLZCUTPS.html Brendan Swift Australian actors Ben Mendelsohn, Sophie Lowe and Gary SweetŒhave joined the cast of Australian-French co-production The Grandmothers.Œ They join the principal cast of Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, Xavier Samuel and James Frecheville in a tale about two lifelong friends who fall in love with each other's teenaged sons. Jessica Tovey (Underbelly, Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo) will also make her feature debut in the film. The Grandmothers has been adapted for the screen by Academy Award-winning writer Christopher Hampton (Dangerous Liaisons, Atonement) from a story written by Nobel Prize for Literature winner Doris Lessing. The eight-week shoot marks the English-language debut for director Anne Fontaine (Coco avant Chanel) and is due to begin on Monday (February 6)... Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:36:14 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/KIVWPLVLAW http://if.com.au////article/From-Crownies-to-the-US-Daniel-Lissing-cast-on-ABCs-Last-Resort/KIVWPLVLAW.html Sam Dallas Sydney actor Daniel Lissing may have cracked the tough Hollywood market. The young actor, recently seen on ABC's Crownies, has been the first actor cast to appear in pilot Last Resort.Œ If the pilot - commissioned by ABC - goes ahead, Lissing will be a 'series regular'. Lissing, who is represented locally by Rise Media Group (formerly Woodburn Sweitzer Management), sent a self-taped audition to casting directors Rebecca Mangieri (Cold Case, Burn Notice) and Wendy Weidman (CSI: NY) and it appears to have worked for The Shield creator, Shawn Ryan, who will co-write and co-executive produce the series. Casino Royale director Martin Campbell is attached to direct the show. Lissing, whose other credits include feature John Doe, Cops LAC and Packed To The Rafters, will... Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:31:00 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/LVVGWQGMEA http://if.com.au////article/Matchbox-Pictures-to-produce-1st-project-for-commercial-TVUnderground-telemovie/LVVGWQGMEA.html Sam Dallas Matchbox Pictures, best known for recent hit series The Slap, will produce its first ever project for a commercial network. The award-winning, Melbourne-based company is currently gearing up for its April shoot date on upcoming Channel 10 telemovie, Underground. Penned and to be directed by Robert Connolly, the biographical telemovie is set in late-1980s-suburban Melbourne. It follows Wikileaks founder Julian Assange as a teenager along with his gang of friends – the International Subversives – as they try to break into the computer systems of the world's most powerful organisations. Hoping to uncover the inner workings of these groups, the boys wage battle from their bedrooms with the technologies, with each other and with the Senior AFP detective who is intent... Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:30:33 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/YNXLTOGFID http://if.com.au////article/Optus-court-case-changes-face-of-television-and-internet-broadcasting/YNXLTOGFID.html Sam Dallas Television and internet broadcasting could be changed forever after telecommunications company Optus won a milestone Federal Court case on Wednesday. The number two telco can continue screening TV shows and live sport (albeit a 90-second delay) for free on mobile platforms after the ruling was handed down against rival Telstra. The service, launched in July last year, enables customers to record free-to-air TV programs (including AFL and NRL) and play them back on four compatible devices – namely, PCs, Apple devices, Android devices and 3G devices. The recordings are stored on a cloud storage platform. Telstra, along with the AFL and NRL, alleged that Optus' TV Now service was infringing its copyright. Telstra reportedly paid $153 million to the AFL to stream games... Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:29:36 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/WYWFMGXZXJ http://if.com.au////article/Quickflix-to-stream-content-to-Samsung-smartphones-and-tablets/WYWFMGXZXJ.html Danii Logue Samsung users will soon be able to access film and television content on their Smartphones and Galaxy tablets thanks to a deal with online movie rental company Quickflix. In addition to Galaxy tablets and Smartphones, Samsung consumers with an Internet connected Smart TV or blu-ray player will also be able to access Quickflix streaming and watch unlimited movies instantly for a monthly subscription fee. This deal marks the first time that Quickflix content will be available on the Google Android operating system. This comes on the back of last year’s deals with Sony, which saw Quicklflix streaming content become available on both Sony’s next generation Internet connected consumer devices and Sony’s Playstation 3 game console. Quickflix movie streaming... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:16:27 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/NJBOVCMZHH http://if.com.au////article/Actors-Equity-appoints-new-director-Sue-McCreadie/NJBOVCMZHH.html Amanda Diaz Actors Equity Australia has appointed Sue McCreadie to the role of director. McCreadie joins the organisation from the NSW government's Trade & Investment creative industries department, where she spent four years managing the state's film incentives. She has worked as a policy manager for Screen NSW, the Film Finance Corporation and the Media and Entertainment Arts Alliance (MEAA) and served as the executive director of the Australian Writers Guild from 1998 to 2002. Equity's federal president Simon Burke welcomed the appointment. “Sue is well-loved and respected on all sides of the industry. Her track record of excellence and achievement makes her ideally placed to step into this key role in the Australian entertainment industry," he said in a statement. "Equity... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:38:56 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/JBYWAHWHZY http://if.com.au////article/Snowtown-and-The-Slap-clean-up-at-inaugural-AACTA-Awards/JBYWAHWHZY.html Sam Dallas It seems controversy leads to awards. The two big winners at last night’s inaugural AACTA Awards were thriller feature film Snowtown and TV drama series The Slap. Both renowned for their controversial nature, the film and TV series netted four and five gongs respectively. Snowtown, about Australian serial killer John Bunting who befriends a 16-year-old, was honoured in the Best Direction (Justin Kurzel), Best Adapted Screenplay (Shaun Grant), Best Actor (Daniel Henshall) and Best Supporting Actress (Louise Harris) categories. The last two awards were particularly impressive as neither actor had appeared in a feature film before. While Henshall had previously acted in such shows as Out of the Blue, it was Harris’ first ever acting role. The four gongs awarded last... Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:39:36 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/UCFQZMXMTJ http://if.com.au////article/Five-local-digital-projects-nominated-at-2012-SXSW-Interactive-Awards/UCFQZMXMTJ.html Sam Dallas Five digital projects have made the cut to represent the country at the prestigious SXSW Interactive Awards in the US. Goa Hippy Tribe, The Gradual Demise of Phillipa Finch, Curious Creatures, The Dragon Children and Big Stories, Small Towns are all finalists at the annual awards, which is held to determine the best new digital works worldwide. This can include anything from mobile apps and websites through to kiosks and installations. Goa Hippy Tribe, a finalist in the film/TV category, is an online social media documentary produced by Freehand Productions. Directed by Darius Devas, the doco is about a hippy reunion in Goa and was supported by SBS. Also representing the country in the film/TV category is The Gradual Demise of Phillipa Finch, featuring the voice of Toni Collette... Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:13:01 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/MXWQBKDYEA http://if.com.au////article/Rotterdam-audiences-enjoy-Black--White--Sex/MXWQBKDYEA.html Aleksandra Popovic Australian film Black & White & Sex has been voted in the top three favourite films in its opening weekend at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam. Producer John Winter (Rabbit-Proof Fence, Doing Time for Patsy Cline), in his directorial debut – a film-within-a-film about a sex worker who is determined to set the record straight about sex – secured an outstanding response from audience members for his provocative film which speaks honestly and openly about sex and sexuality. The UPC Audience Award, which is voted by the public, saw Martin Scorsese's Hugo at number one and Les géants (translated as The Giants) at number two. Written and directed by Winter and produced by Melissa Beauford, the Titan View-distributed film had a positive response... Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:26:50 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/QCDZZLBVOJ http://if.com.au////article/The-Artist-scoops-three-AACTA-international-awards/QCDZZLBVOJ.html Fay Al-Janabi The winners of the first ever Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) International Awards have been announced, acknowledging international talent over five categories. The stylishly black-and-white French comedy-drama, The Artist, picked up three awards on the night: Best Actor to Jean Dujardin's portrayal of a silent-film star whose career is on the decline as the ‘talkies’ are introduced to Hollywood; Best Film to producer Thomas Langmann; and the award for Best Direction was given to French director Michel Hazanavicius. Meryl Streep was present at the ceremony to receive the Best Actress award for her portrayal of former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, in The Iron Lady. The award for Best Screenplay was presented to joint winners... Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:43:48 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/RJRPRZUERU http://if.com.au////article/A-Few-Best-Men-opens-strong-with-almost-1-9-million/RJRPRZUERU.html Sam Dallas Australian comedy A Few Best Men raked in almost $1.9 million at the local box office in its opening weekend. Directed by Stephan Elliott (The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), the film – about a wedding that goes wrong – grossed an impressive $1,834,283 across 235 screens. Opening on Australia Day, the comedy – in third position – posted a screen average of $7805. Its weekend figures were bigger than last year's two biggest films Red Dog ($1.78 million, 245 screens) and Sanctum ($1.59 million, 252 screens). Written by Death At A Funeral screenwriter Dean Craig, the Icon-distributed film excited exhibitors last year when it screened at the Australian International Movie Convention. It marked Icon's first local film since Oranges and... Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:27:22 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/YJAAHXMPBS http://if.com.au////article/ABC-commissions-second-series-of-Stay-Tuned/YJAAHXMPBS.html Sam Dallas Kids will soon be getting another dose of ABC3 series Stay Tuned after the popular show was commissioned for a second season. The interactive music show, aimed at the 10-15-year-old market, is produced by Sydney production company The Feds and shooting began last week. The series, which this time will be fully-funded by the public broadcaster, will again be hosted by actor Joel Phillips (Home And Away) and singer/dancer Nicole Singh. The show's hosts/bloggers attempt to answer viewer questions (submitted via the show’s website) by interviewing several Australian and international artists and relevant music industry people. “The questions are getting more and more clever – like 'how do you match music with lyrics?' and 'how many decibels do... Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:56:57 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/LUFEIUYITZ http://if.com.au////article/Scott-Hicks-on-his-latest-film-The-Lucky-One/LUFEIUYITZ.html Andre Fenby Australian director Scott Hicks’ upcoming film The Lucky One may begin on the battlefield, but for Hicks it’s a familiar story told in a different way. “This is a romance,” he says. “We all know where it’s going, but the point is how do you tell it?” The film is an adaptation of a novel of the same name written by Nicholas Sparks (whose novels The Notebook and Dear John have also been adapted for the screen). It tells the story of Logan Thibault, a young US Marine Sergeant played by Zac Efron (High School Musical), who finds a photograph of an unknown woman during the Iraq War. He soon comes to believe the picture is his lucky charm, and after returning home tracks her down. “That, I thought, was an amazing premise,” says... Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:08:42 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/FNRAIGYLRW http://if.com.au////article/Geoffrey-Rush-Australian-of-the-Year-2012-plans-to-promote-local-industry/FNRAIGYLRW.html Brendan Swift Academy Award-winning actor Geoffrey Rush plans to use his Australian of the Year award to encourage more people to watch local theatre productions and films. Prime minister Julia Gillard presented Rush with the prestigious award yesterday in recognition of his 40-year contribution to the industry, as well as his support forŒyoung actors and remaining grounded in the local community. Screen industry veteran Peter Fenton, whoŒwas chief mixer on more than 150 films, was also awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his services to the Australian film industry as a sound engineer. Rush, the third actor to receive the award after Robert Helpmann and Paul Hogan, later told reporters: “An empty theatre or an empty cinema, metaphorically, is not a great place for a culture... Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:13:36 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/SHBHCLKYGD http://if.com.au////article/Wish-You-Were-Here-secures-US-theatrical-release-after-eOne-sale/SHBHCLKYGD.html Brendan Swift Entertainment One (eOne) has acquired the North American distribution rights to Australian drama Wish You Were Here, which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this month. The film is also being distributed by eOne/Hopscotch in Australia (that deal was struck before eOne acquired Hopscotch for more than $20 million last year), where it will be released on April 19. The film's writer-director, Kieran Darcy-Smith, said it had been an extraordinary and very special week. “Today’s sale to eOne really does cap the entire experience," he said in a statement. "It is twelve months to the day since we wrapped filming, and the movie has sold to the US and Canada – at the Sundance Film Festival, in the snow. Felicity [Price, co-screenwriter... Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:26:06 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/EKTDHKGCGH http://if.com.au////article/Iron-Sky-to-premiere-at-Berlin-International-Film-Festival/EKTDHKGCGH.html Brendan Swift Comedy sci-fi feature Iron Sky has been selected in the Panorama Special section of next month's Berlin International Film Festival. The film, about Nazis who fled to the Moon in 1945 before returning to claim the Earth in 2018, marks the first Australian-Finnish-German co-production. Australian producer Cathy Overett said: “We are incredibly excited that Iron Sky has been selected for Berlin. It is recognition of the incredible vision and tenacity of our director Timo Vuorensola and of the importance international co-productions play in the Australian film industry.” The film has relied on an innovative financing structure which included crowd-funding during production. It is still raising finance after facing blizzards in Germany and floods in Queensland during... Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:56:42 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/QFGCSBLOZI http://if.com.au////article/Optus-One80Project-top-10-finalists-announced/QFGCSBLOZI.html Sam Dallas “You can have the most whizz-bang camera moves and special effects but unless you have a great idea it’s absolutely meaningless.” So says veteran actor David Wenham, best known for such projects as 300 and Lord of the Rings, and more recently Killing Time. “I think the most important element in any film or television piece is the idea itself. And it has to be a really unique, original idea.” Content creators need to keep this in mind – particularly those competing for the Optus One80Project crown as Wenham is one of the three main judges. Joining Wenham in his second year as judge is Tomorrow, When The War Began actor Lincoln Lewis and 2010 One80 winner Maia Horniak. The Optus/MTV competition, now in its sixth year, is an opportunity for... Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:43:34 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/XXOJDBYAAB http://if.com.au////article/Screen-Australia-invests-275k-to-develop-10-features/XXOJDBYAAB.html Amanda Diaz Screen Australia has invested $275,000 in funding to support the development of 10 feature film projects, it was announced today. The money will be used toward the development of films including a new feature from Balibo director Robert Connolly and John Polson's mysteriously titled 'Sydney Project.' Connolly is attached to write, direct and co-produce Paper Planes, the story of a young boy with such a love flight, that he is compelled to compete in the world paper plane championships. Details surrounding Tropfest creator John Polson's Sydney project are few. When announced last June, it was said to be a collection of 12 short films set in each month of the year that paid tribute to the city. Other films that have received funding include Kingdom Come, an... Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:35:49 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/CGISRDSITT http://if.com.au////article/UPDATED-Nominations-announced-for-84th-Academy-Awards/CGISRDSITT.html Amanda Diaz UPDATE (January 30, 2012): Australian producer Grant Hill is one of four producers that will accept the Oscar should Terence Malick's Tree of Life win Best Picture. The film's nominees were originally listed as 'to be determined', following the Academy's decision that only a maximum of three producers would be recognised per best picture contender. It was decided on Friday that Tree of Life represented 'extraordinary circumstances' and the rule was waived. Should the film upset popular contenders Hugo and The Artist, the Oscar will be accepted by Hill alongside fellow producers Sarah Green, Bill Pohlad and Dede Gardner. Correction: Sound re-recording mixer Andy Nelson, who received his thirteen nomination for best achievement in sound for Steven Spielberg's... Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:31:25 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/FVZKBQIRTK http://if.com.au////article/Ben-Lewins-The-Surrogate-acquired-at-Sundance/FVZKBQIRTK.html Sam Dallas Ben Lewin’s comeback flick The Surrogate has been acquired by Fox Searchlight Pictures following its screening at the Sundance Film Festival. Fox Searchlight reportedly spent $US6 million for worldwide rights to the film that was also penned by the former Australian. Lewin now resides in Los Angeles after moving in 1994. The LA times said the film sparked a bidding war between key distributors at Sundance, which involved The Weinstein Company and Lionsgate. The indie drama boasts an all-star cast including Helen Hunt, John Hawkes and William H. Macy and is based on poet/journalist Mark O’Brien. O’Brien was stricken with polio at the age of six, and was left paralysed from the neck down. He spent the remainder of life in an iron lung. The flick centres on his... Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:28:57 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/CDEISMMBJW http://if.com.au////article/Stephan-Elliott-on-A-Few-Best-Men/CDEISMMBJW.html Amanda Diaz Stephan Elliott is a multi-tasker. For most of his career, he has juggled both writing and directing duties and now, while on the phone with IF, he is in the middle of sweeping his house. If A Few Best Men seems like a change of pace, it isn't. Although the script was written by Dean Craig (Death at a Funeral), the film's producers gave the director the freedom to contribute his own rewrites. "There's an awful lot of me in there," he says. "Dean took care of the English and I took care of the Australian." Elliott first read the script after being persuaded by producer Gary Hamilton. "I haven't read other people's scripts for years because I basically develop my own," he says. "So he kind of got me in an evil, manipulative... Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:04:40 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/KLTIMVBJJD http://if.com.au////article/Film-Festivals-tag-team-to-get-more-Aussies-in-cinemas/KLTIMVBJJD.html Sam Dallas Four major Australian feature film festivals have formed a new partnership to support local niche and arthouse films during their cinematic run. The festivals in Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne will work with distributors and undertake targeted marketing for the releases in each territory. More than 95,000-combined e-newsletter subscribers will be targeted throughout the initiative, which has been in the works for the past 2-3 years. It’s a positive move from the festival directors at a time when audiences often sell-out festival screenings but not local complexes during their theatrical run. Last year, Australian films grossed just 3.9 per cent ($42.9 million) of the total $1.09 billion at the box office and this was largely because of one film: Red Dog. Outgoing... Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:12:28 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/ILPTMMXVHQ http://if.com.au////article/The-Descendants-number-1-at-local-box-office-after-netting-Golden-Globes/ILPTMMXVHQ.html Sam Dallas A week after netting Golden Globes for best drama and best dramatic actor, The Descendants has risen to the top of the Australian box office. The Fox-distributed film, starring George Clooney, went from fourth to first place in its second weekend, raking in $2.4 million across 217 screens (up 5 per cent on last weekend). Posting an impressive screen average of just over $11,000, the film (including previews) has now taken $6 million in Australia. The drama/comedy follows Matt King, who is an indifferent husband and father of two girls who is forced to re-examine his past and embrace his future when his wife suffers a boating accident off Waikiki. The event leads to a rapprochement with his young daughters while Matt wrestles with a decision to sell the family's land handed down... Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:26:08 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/IBOLZHPWPS http://if.com.au////article/ACMA-calls-for-industry-submissions-on-the-future-of-digital-TV/IBOLZHPWPS.html Fay Al-Janabi The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has called for submissions about the technological future of free-to-air television following its transition to digital television. Australia’s transition from free-to-air to digital television technology in 2001 allowed for better quality images and sound, multi-channels, and features such as virtual TV guides and parental lock systems. Televisual technology continues to evolve however, with new features such as data compression, ultra high-definition and 3D imaging offering more possibilities for the future of television. ACMA has released a discussion paper in an effort to gather industry and community commentary on the future of digital terrestrial television. “We're interested in the drivers of... Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:58:16 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/OLFJQRJZSJ http://if.com.au////article/Australian-films-gross-3-9-per-cent-of-total-box-office-in-2011/OLFJQRJZSJ.html Sam Dallas Australian films grossed just 3.9 per cent of the total takings at the 2011 box office, new statistics reveal. The 3.9 per cent – $42.9 million – from 44 local titles is down on the previous year's figures of $50.6 million (4.5 per cent, 41 titles).Œ Feel-good family film Red Dog was largely responsible for the result ($21.3 million) in a year that saw audiences hand over $1.09 billion at cinema complexes. Distributor Roadshow opened Red Dog on 245 screens in early-August before word-of-mouth kicked in. It posted increasing box office receipts and eventually rose to a maximum of 271 screens five weeks later. Other popular local films included Oranges and Sunshine and Sanctum (which, with a worldwide gross of more than $US100 million, is now in the top... Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:53:02 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/HYQOLVUWEL http://if.com.au////article/ABC-telemovie-Cliffy-set-to-begin-production-in-April/HYQOLVUWEL.html Fay Al-Janabi The Victorian farmer who became famous after breaking world records in the 1983 Sydney to Melbourne marathon, Cliff Young, will be immortalised in an ABC TV telemovie. Set against the backdrop of the early eighties, Cliffy will retrace Young’s journey from his days training in cow paddocks on his farm, to the epic six-day marathon run he won at 61-years of age. Cliffy has been picked up by ABC1, with filming due to start in mid-April across Albury-Wodonga and regional Victoria. The telemovie was written by Robert B. Taylor (Muggers) and will be produced by Clock End Films. Dean Murphy (Charlie & Boots, Strange Bedfellows) will be directing the telemovie with Nigel Odell (Strange Bedfellows, Long Weekend) as producer. Carole Sklan, ABC TV’s head of fiction said... Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:15:46 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/FTIKEZCIQL http://if.com.au////article/Grant-Bowler-cast-as-lead-on-US-sci-fi-series-Defiance/FTIKEZCIQL.html Sam Dallas Local actor Grant Bowler has been cast as a lead in a new US science-fiction show. Known for performances locally in Blue Heelers and The Mole and across the Pacific in Ugly Betty and Lost, the Australian actor will be seen on Syfy series Defiance. The live-action drama is penned by Farscape creator Rockne S. O’Bannon. “Grant’s charismatic charm and his depth as an actor make him the perfect anchor as we build the ensemble for this sweeping adventure series,” Syfy’s president of original content Mark Stern said in a statement. "We’re very excited to have him join us on this incredible journey." Directed by Scott Stewart (Legion, Priest), the series is set on a future earth where humans and aliens are living together on a... Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:48:53 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/GFQTOPUQTY http://if.com.au////article/Quickflix-enters-licensing-agreement-with-HBO/GFQTOPUQTY.html Brendan Swift DVD and online distributor Quickflix has signed a content licensing agreement with premium US cable network HBO. The deal will add more than 500 hours of HBO television programs to Quickflix's online video streaming portal including franchises such as Entourage, Sex and the City, The Sopranos, Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Late last year Quickflix signed content deals with major studios including Warner Bros. International Branded Services, Sony Pictures Television, Lakeshore Entertainment, Content Media Corporation and Pinnacle Films. In July 2011, Quickflix acquired Telstra's BigPond Movies' DVD library however, it has since been rapidly growing its online streaming business. Quickflix said over 10 per cent of subscribers haveŒchosen streaming as part of... Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:55:17 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/WZUFCDVPOL http://if.com.au////article/Ursula-Dabrowskys-back-with-horror-film-Inner-Demon/WZUFCDVPOL.html Sam Dallas Ursula Dabrowsky’s “new slice of cinematic fright” will start filming this month. Inner Demon is the Adelaide filmmaker’s second film in her ‘Demon’ trilogy, following 2009’s self-financed psychological horror Family Demons. The new revenge film, also penned by Dabrowsky, has been financed from the South Australian Film Corporation’s Filmlab initiative which provides a cash budget of up to $350,000 for eight different projects. Launched in 2009, it’s assisted such films as Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure (which has just completed a 25-state theatrical run in the US), 52 Tuesdays (currently in production) and One Eyed Girl, which stars Maeve Dermody and starts shooting April 16. Inner Demon, which has the tagline... Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:49:37 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/FQOZKFPKQO http://if.com.au////article/Kodak-files-for-Chapter-11-in-US-bankruptcy-court/FQOZKFPKQO.html Brendan Swift Film and camera company Eastman Kodak has filed for chapter 11 business reorganisation in the US Bankruptcy Court after failing to back innovative technologies and battling new market entrants. The company, which has been in business for more than a century,Œwill now undergo a restructure after securing a $US950 million debtor-in-possession credit facility from Citigroup to enhance liquidity and working capital. Non-US subsidiaries, such as the Australian arm, are not affected. Kodak Australasia's general manager, entertainment imaging and professional services (Australia and New Zealand),ŒDarren Swenson,Œwas unavailable for comment. Motion picture film remains a popular choice for high-end local feature films althoughŒongoing advances in digital capture... Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:01:31 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/HNZAYVLZAQ http://if.com.au////article/This-Christmas-from-the-team-behind-Review-With-Myles-Barlow-heading-to-ABC/HNZAYVLZAQ.html Sam Dallas The team behind satirical black comedy series Review With Myles Barlow is expecting to shoot a new comedy for the ABC in March. Trent O’Donnell and Phil Lloyd, who created two seasons of the AFI Award-winning Barlow program, will be involved in acting/directing/writing and producing on the new show. The 6x30-minute narrative series follows a young Australian based in London (Lloyd) who comes home to his dysfunctional family every Christmas, hoping things would have improved but they haven’t. The story is told over six different holiday seasons. No other cast has been announced for the Jungleboys production, which received funding from the NSW government. Directed by O’Donnell (Woodley), it’s expected to be filmed in Sydney in mid-March. “I... Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:17:19 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/WTJZJYDVRE http://if.com.au////article/Blinder-begins-production-next-month-casts-Oliver-Ackland-Rose-McIver/WTJZJYDVRE.html Staff reporter AFL feature film Blinder has unveiled its cast ahead of a 10-week shoot which begins next month in Victoria. The film will star Oliver Ackland (The Slap), Rose McIver (The Lovely Bones), Steve Bisley (Red Hill), Anna Hutchison (Wild Boys), Zoe Carides (Death In Brunswick), Bob Morley (Road Train) and Angus Sampson (Insidious). Ackland plays an ex-footballer who returns home after a long absence to clear his name and reignite an old flame. Richard Gray (Summer Coda, Mine Games) is directing the screenplay he co-wrote with Scott Didier and Michele Gray. They are also producing the film alongside former footballers Glenn Archer, Adrian Gleeson and Sam Kekovich, as well as Virginia Kay, Bryce Menzies, Chris Lemole and Mike Gillespie. “I grew up holidaying with family on... Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:22:56 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/MFAFWXDGCL http://if.com.au////article/Filming-begins-on-ABC-series-Next-Stop-Hollywood/MFAFWXDGCL.html Danii Logue Filming has begun on ABC’s docu-drama Next Stop Hollywood, which follows six aspiring Australian actors as they compete for coveted roles during the US TV pilot season. "We will see them setting up home in Hollywood, struggling in a foreign city, away from family and friends," said producer Michael McMahon.Œ"We see them going to voice coaching and acting lessons, arranging agent meetings and ultimately going to auditions and waiting for the callback. There will be plenty of drama, excitement and heartbreak.” IF Award-winning documentary filmmaker Gary Doust (Making Venus) will direct Next Stop HollywoodŒwhile McMahon, Beth Frey and Cecilia Ritchie of Matchbox Pictures (The Slap) will produce. Outgoing ABC TV head of arts and entertainment,... Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:21:32 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/DSOMVGKXXZ http://if.com.au////article/Love-and-Other-Drugs-screenwriter-Charles-Randolph-on-big-screen-opportunities/DSOMVGKXXZ.html Rachael Gavin They say it’s not what you know but who you know that leads to success but according to Love and Other Drugs screenwriter and producer Charles Randolph, those days are gone. Speaking from New York ahead of his trip to Australia for Movie Extra Tropfest, Randolph says the opportunities for budding filmmakers are there for the taking. “I started 10-15 years ago. I think probably more when I first started [networking] was more important,” he explains. “I think mechanisms for identifying good scripts and identifying good material have become much more efficientˆ the contests that are available to people – the short film festivals – these things really do function much more as a farm team system for making features than they did when I started.” As... Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:44:32 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/CXPFAIWMKH http://if.com.au////article/Hail-Black--White--Sex-to-screen-at-Rotterdam-International-Film-Festival/CXPFAIWMKH.html Danii Logue Two Australian features have been chosen to screen at the prestigious Rotterdam International Film Festival. Hail, by Melbourne director Amiel Courtin-Wilson, will screen as part of the Spectrums selection (which celebrates powerful, innovative forms of cinema), while John Winter’s Black & White & Sex will be shown as part of the Bright Future program (which celebrates the stand out work of debut directors). The culmination of Courtin-Wilson’s six-year collaboration with ex-prison inmate turned actor, Daniel P. Jones, Hail is a semi-fictional narrative about Jones’ attempts to return to society and his girlfriend (played by real-life partner, Leanne Letch) after his most recent stint in jail. “I was honoured when I heard the news as Rotterdam is... Tue, 17 Jan 2012 13:20:44 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/TNZAIEPKGL http://if.com.au////article/Maureen-Barron-appointed-CEO-of-Screen-NSW/TNZAIEPKGL.html Amanda Diaz Screen NSW has appointed Maureen Barron to the role of chief executive. The former head of Screen Queensland replaces previous CEO Tania Chambers, who resigned last September. “With Sydney being her hometown, I am confident Maureen will be a passionate and successful advocate for the screen industry in NSW," said Arts Minister George Souris in a statement. Barron has spent more than 30 years working in the screen industry and has served as the vice president of SPAA, chair of the Australian Film Commission and the corporate general manager of television production company, Southern Star. In 2010, she was named a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to film and television. Most recently, Barron spent two and a half years as the CEO of Screen... Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:39:39 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/SZARTQMVSS http://if.com.au////article/CAMERON--PACE-Group-opens-Melbourne-office/SZARTQMVSS.html Brendan Swift The stereoscopic company behind blockbuster Avatar, CAMERON | PACE Group, has opened its first international officeŒin Australia. The new Melbourne-based office, which will be led by Sanctum producer and long-time Cameron associate Andrew Wight, marks the first step of a global expansion phase for CPG. The Australian branch will offer the full range of CPG technology, supportŒand 3D camera equipment for use in feature films, television, and live sports broadcasting. "Our presence will enable filmmakers here to benefit from the same 3D technology and expertise that made James Cameron's Avatar possible," Wight said in a statement.Œ"There is a wealth of creative talent in this country, and now we can provide the 3D know-how and equipment to match... Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:33:34 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/PKHVJCOGCF http://if.com.au////article/Happy-Feet-Two-continues-to-struggle-at-local-box-office/PKHVJCOGCF.html Sam Dallas The penguins from the Antarctic are no longer dancing. 3D animation flick Happy Feet Two is struggling at the box office after opening just three weeks ago. The Roadshow-distributed film, directed by George Miller, made just $652,544 over the weekend across 305 screens – down a thumping 148 screens in seven days. Posting a screen average of just $2139, the film was down 49 per cent on last weekend's takings ($1.3 million). It’s been a disappointing performance from the sequel to the 2006 Oscar-winning film which has also struggled in the US since opening on November 18. As of the January 6-8 weekend, it hadŒgrossed $US61.4 million in North America and was down to just 285 screens, according to Box Office Mojo. The animated feature, again based on pudgy penguin... Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:37:20 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/VLVTPRWQXB http://if.com.au////article/Top-of-the-Lake-begins-production-next-month/VLVTPRWQXB.html Fay Al-Janabi The new mini-series from Oscar-winning director Jane Campion, Top of the Lake, will begin production in early-February in Queenstown, New Zealand. Campion (The Piano) penned the screenplay with Gerard Lee (Sweetie), and will be directing alongside Australian director Garth Davis (Love My Way). Top of the Lake follows the troubling search for pregnant 12-year old, Tui, who disappears after last being seen standing chest deep in a frozen lake. The haunting case pushes the boundaries of detective Robin Griffin as she loses herself in the investigation in order to find the missing girl, colliding with Tui’s drug lord father and a guru at a local women’s camp in the process. The series stars Mad Men’s Elisabeth Moss; actor Holly Hunter, who won an Oscar for her role... Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:01:50 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/MXRDIEIXQQ http://if.com.au////article/NSW-injects-3-3m-in-14-productions-including-The-Grandmothers-Puberty-Blues/MXRDIEIXQQ.html Brendan Swift The New South Wales government has invested more than $3.3 million across 14 screen productions, including French-Australian co-production The Grandmothers. The minister for tourism, major events, hospitality, racing and the arts, George Souris, saidŒ Sydney is "set to shine as the star of a big international film” with The Grandmothers, which will showcase actors Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, Xavier Samuel and James Frecheville. “I’m delighted that The Grandmothers is to be made here in NSW by one of our top local creative teams, including producer Andrew Mason of Hopscotch Features, working in collaboration with renowned French producer Phillip Carcassonne and internationally acclaimed director Anne Fontaine," he said in a statement. “Ms... Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:20:32 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/IHFUYSOHEF http://if.com.au////article/Anthony-Maras-The-Palace-wins-Best-Aus-Short-Film-at-2012-Flickerfest-Festival/IHFUYSOHEF.html Sam Dallas Sunday, January 15, 2012 will go down as one of Anthony Maras' most proudest days. The South Australian filmmaker's latest powerful short film, The Palace, cleaned up at both the inaugural AACTA Awards and last night's Flickerfest. Earlier in the day, Maras – an AFI Award winner – won gongs for Best Short Fiction Film and Best Screenplay In A Short Film at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts' revamped awards before travelling to Sydney's Bondi Beach last night to collect Best Australian Short Film at the 21st annual Flickerfest ceremony. Not a bad 10 hours. Inspired by true events, The Palace – an Australian-Cyprus co-production – tells the story of a Greek Cypriot family which flees advancing Turkish forces and takes refuge... Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:15:58 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/GZCBWGYVVN http://if.com.au////article/100-Bloody-Acres-begins-production-with-Damon-Herriman-and-Angus-Sampson/GZCBWGYVVN.html Brendan Swift Horror feature 100 Bloody Acres has begun production in Adelaide. Actor Damon Herriman (Love My Way, Offspring) leads the cast, which also includes Angus Sampson (Where the Wild Things Are, Spirited), Anna McGahan (Underbelly 4: Razor, Spirited), Oliver Ackland (The Proposition, The Slap), and Jamie Kristian (Underbelly 4: Razor, Rescue Special Ops). Guest appearances include John Jarratt (Wolf Creek), Chrissie Page (Last Ride), Paul Blackwell (Red Dog) and Reg the dog (Dr Plonk). 100 Bloody Acres is the debut feature from brothers Colin and Cameron Cairnes, who won several awards for their short 2009 film Celestial Avenue.ŒThe feature screenplay, whichŒfollows two brothers and their struggling organic blood and bone fertiliser business, won first place in the horror section... Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:41:39 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/KPFSPGWMIH http://if.com.au////article/ICAA-strikes-new-VPF-deal-with-Cinedigm-Omnilab-exits-integration-business/KPFSPGWMIH.html Brendan Swift The Independent Cinemas Association of Australia (ICAA) has struck a new deal with digital cinema integrator Cinedigm Digital Cinema Corp after former partner Omnilab ended its bungled forayŒinto the business. The association, which represents hundreds of independent cinema owners making the costly transition from 35mm film prints to digital projection, said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with US-based Cinedigm and expects to have the virtual print fee (VPF) scheme in place by April 14. The VPF will be paid by distributors (who save substantial sums of money by replacing 35mm film prints with digital prints), to exhibitors, who must bear the burden of installing costly digital projection equipment.Œ Under the terms of the deal, Cinedigm will provide the... Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:53:56 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/QLKKBPOYAR http://if.com.au////article/AACTA-unveils-first-round-of-awards/QLKKBPOYAR.html Brendan Swift The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) hasŒunveiled the first round of its revamped awards at a Sydney luncheon. Presenters at the event, which was hosted by actor Sigrid Thornton, included actors such as Radha Mitchell, Rebecca Gibney and Susie Porter, as well as directors Bruce Beresford, Fred Schepisi and Adam Elliot. Australian cinematographer Donald McAlpine ACS ASC picked up the AACTA's highest accolade, the Raymond Longford Award, whileŒfilmmaker Ivan SenŒreceived the Byron Kennedy Award, which recognises innovation and the pursuit of excellence. Sen, whose latest film Toomelah screened at last year's Cannes Film Festival,Œwas chosen for “his unique artistic vision and for showing, by his resourceful multidisciplinary... Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:12:25 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/HELUMGOLDD http://if.com.au////article/Don-McAlpine-receives-AACTAs-Raymond-Longford-award/HELUMGOLDD.html Brendan Swift Cinematographer Don McAlpine ACS ASC has been presented with the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts’ (AACTA) prestigious Raymond Longford Award at a luncheon held in Sydney. The award was presented by film director Bruce Beresford, actors Jack Thompson and Sigrid Thornton, and Australian Film Institute chairman Alan Finney, in recognition of McAlpine’s 40-year career. "I have often joked that it’s quite easy to make a good film – you just have to make a lot," McAlpine told the audience. "We all have commenced our opus in the blind belief that it must be a success. I hope that in the future more mature successful people could be co-opted into the selection process... "Since receiving this award I have been motivated... Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:29:57 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/DIEBWOUYGQ http://if.com.au////article/Till-Death-Do-Us-Die-wins-AWG-Terror-Australis-Horror-Script-Competition/DIEBWOUYGQ.html Staff reporter Writers Andrew Connell and Gordon Napier's Till Death Do Us Die script hasŒtaken out top honours at the inaugural Australian Writers’ Guild Terror Australis Horror Script Competition. The script, about a groom who is forced to battle supernatural forces when a cursed wedding ring unleashes an ancient evil upon his bride, was chosen from 130 entries. It will now be read by genre producers Chris Brown (Daybreakers, The Proposition), David Lightfoot (Wolf Creek, Rogue), Josh Reed (Primal) and Andrew Traucki (Black Water, The Reef). The two writers have also won a micro-mentorship with Shayne Armstrong and Shane Krause (Acolytes). Kraken by Rick Kalowski (story by Rick Kalowski and Andrew Jones) was highly commended by the judges. Also on the finalists' shortlist... Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:01:50 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/FFELSMNKOZ http://if.com.au////article/Alethea-Jones-life-after-IF-Award-winning-When-the-Wind-Changes/FFELSMNKOZ.html Danii Logue In 2008 Alethea Jones attended the IF Awards after party and, borrowing someone else’s award, posted a photograph and caption on Facebook – “If onlyˆ”. Three years later that ‘if only’ became a reality when she and Offspring actor Richard Davies were awarded the Best Short Film IF Award for When the Wind Changes. It was Davies who, having acted in her graduating film work at VCA, approached Jones with the idea for the short film. “He was really nervous giving me the script but I read it and just fell in love with it,” Jones told IF. “The idea of two people talking at the same time is great and the way that he pitched it to me was very funny. He told me a sentence to say and as I said it he repeated it at the same time... Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:56:59 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/QMGUINWYOK http://if.com.au////article/Seven-and-December-Media-to-co-produce-Great-Train-Robbery-drama-Mrs-Biggs/QMGUINWYOK.html Sam Dallas A new five-part drama seriesŒabout the “untold love story” behind the Great Train Robbery is being co-produced byŒAustralia'sŒDecember Media, The Seven Network and the UK's ITV Studios, it has been announced. Mrs Biggs, written by BAFTA award-winning writer Jeff Pope, will commence shooting in Manchester next month before movingŒDown UnderŒ(Adelaide and Melbourne) and will continue for 11 weeks. Other filming locations include Paris, London, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and Rio de Janeiro. December MediaŒ– formerly known as December Films –ŒwasŒone of four Australian houses last year to receive funding through Screen Australia's Enterprise Program. Past projectsŒfrom the Melbourne-based companyŒinclude... Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:06:23 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/GTENAVCPJB http://if.com.au////article/Chris-Hemsworth-nominated-for-BAFTA-Rising-Star-Award/GTENAVCPJB.html Sam Dallas It wasn’t too long ago that Australian actor Chris Hemsworth was strolling “Summer Bay”. Now the former Home and Away star pounds the pavement in Tinseltown, after he landed the role of Thor in Marvel’s screen comic book adaptation. After just recently reprising his role as Thor inŒThe Avengers, starring alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson, the 28-year-old actor has been nominated for a Rising Star Award at next month’s prestigious BAFTA Awards. TheŒgong recognises a new talent that is making an impact on the film industry. Hemsworth, who last year also finished his acting duties onŒSnow White and The Huntsman (which also starsŒKristen Stewart and Charlize TheronŒand features the work of Aussie... Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:54:41 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/CRBVDQYNPL http://if.com.au////article/Terra-Nova-profitable-but-second-series-yet-to-be-given-the-green-light/CRBVDQYNPL.html Brendan Swift Twentieth Century Fox Television is close to deciding whether to green-light a second series of Terra Nova. Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly, speaking at the Television Critics Association winter press tour over the weekend, said the series had spent much of its first season "hunting" creatively but was profitable for the company. "We made money on it, the studio made money on it, the audience enjoyed it," he said, according to Reuters. The show was the second-highest rated drama of the fall despite declining ratings for dramas, Reilly said. A decision to proceed would be a boon for Australian cast and crewŒ– the initial 13-part series was filmed in south-east Queensland, employing hundreds of locals. Production needs to start in February... Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:56:10 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/WKYDMDCKSG http://if.com.au////article/Four-Australian-shorts-to-screen-at-Clermont-Ferrand-Film-Festival/WKYDMDCKSG.html Amanda Diaz Four Australian films have been selected to screen at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France. Of the films chosen, two will be shown as part of the International Competition, while the others have been entered into the experimental content category. Recognised as one of the world's leading short film festivals, Clermont-Ferrand received more than 7,100 entries for this year's festival. The International Competition will feature 77 films from around the world, including local short films Tethered and Paris Lakes. Written and directed by Craig Irvin and produced by Ash Harris, Tethered follows the story of a young man who takes a job at a slaughterhouse. Robert Stephenson's Paris Lakes is an animated advertisement for a brand new suburb... Wed, 11 Jan 2012 10:21:14 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/WAIOZLMEFK http://if.com.au////article/The-Grandmothers-starring-Naomi-Watts-starts-shoot-next-month/WAIOZLMEFK.html Sam Dallas Erotic tale The Grandmothers, boasting an all-star cast, will start filming next month. The somewhat-risqué drama, based on a short story of the same name by British author Doris Lessing, will star Naomi Watts (King Kong) and Robin Wright (Beowulf) who are two lifelong friendsŒwho fall in love with each other’s teenage sons. The two sons will be played by The Twilight Saga's Xavier Samuel and Animal Kingdom’s James Frecheville. The film, which received Screen Australia funding, isŒbeing described as an erotic tale of misguided love and a celebration of the enduring nature of female friendship. Penned for the screen by Oscar-winning British writer Christopher Hampton (Dangerous Liaisons), the flick is expected to be filmed in NSW however an... Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:11:20 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/AIBNFJKCZG http://if.com.au////article/Screen-Australia-funds-four-short-films-with-133K/AIBNFJKCZG.html Danii Logue Screen Australia has funded four short films with almost $133,000 through its Short Film Completion Fund. Spine tells the story of a dramatic event that brings acceptance to someone who has recently become a paraplegic. It is directed by Sophie Miller and stars Snowtown's Lucas Pittaway. Both Scott Picket’s The One Who Broke Your Heart and actress/director Alexandra Schepisi’s Lois (starring Academy Award-nominated Jacki Weaver) deal with a person who longs to revisit a past relationship. Rounding out the group is Lynne Vincent McCarthy’s first short film, Strange Face, which tells the story of a socially awkward young girl who yearns for a friend. “This year we had some really strong submissions for completion funding,” said Screen Australia’s... Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:13:13 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/ZJPABINMCL http://if.com.au////article/Coca-Cola-Siege-commercial-scores-VES-nomination/ZJPABINMCL.html Rodney Appleyard The Visual Effects Society anounced the nominations for its 10th annual VES Awards this week. Among the list forŒ'Outstanding Visual Effects in an Animated Commercial or Video Game Trailer'Œwas the Coca Cola Siege TV commercial, which featured in IF Magazine #140 (April-May 2011). The article is re-printed below. An incredible 111 million people in the US recently watched Framestore’s new Coca-Cola commercial Siege as part of the Super Bowl. Now the rest of the world is set to see the 100 per cent CG-generated commercial in cinemas as part of Coca-Cola’s latest campaign. Over recent years, Framestore has been experimenting with full-CG sequences on films like The Tale of Despereaux and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, but even this project... Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:04:26 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/ESLLPBYMTQ http://if.com.au////article/Australian-films-post-lowest-percentage-of-annual-box-office-in-years/ESLLPBYMTQ.html Brendan Swift UPDATE: This story orginally said the estimated 2011 Australian box office was expected to be the lowest since 2003. That figure has been corrected to 2005. The final local box office figure, released after this story,Œwas $42.9 million and a lower overall box office tally of $1.09 billion raised the overall Australian box office tally to 3.9 per cent. Read the story which outlines the final figures here. Australian films have accounted for the lowest proportion of the total annual box office in several years. Local films (including feature documentaries) grossed almost $42.5 million in 2011, according to an IF Magazine analysis, with feel-good film Red Dog accounting for more than half of the total ($21.4 million). Australian films performed relatively strongly over the... Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:42:00 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/VRKJHNMKIO http://if.com.au////article/Happy-Feet-Two-marches-to-7-million-at-the-Australian-box-office/VRKJHNMKIO.html Sam Dallas 3D animated penguin flick Happy Feet Two has dancedŒfrom second to seventh place after two weeks at the local box office. The feel-good family film, directed by George Miller, has now grossed $7.3 million since opening on Boxing Day alongside two Steven Spielberg blockbusters War Horse and The Adventures of Tintin. The Aussie animation also had to contend with other decent output such as Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Tower Heist and The Iron Lady. The Roadshow-distributed film – again based on pudgy penguin Mumble and his dancing skills – opened on 465 screens, generating $2.2 million on its first weekend, however has slipped 43 per cent in its second weekend (earning justŒ$1.3 million). This is severely down on the first adventure film –... Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:31:35 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/ZVQEHEXMDK http://if.com.au////article/ICAA-says-it-has-finalised-VPF-agreements-with-four-major-studios/ZVQEHEXMDK.html Brendan Swift The Independent Cinemas Association of Australia (ICAA) says it has reached an agreement with four of the six major studios and the Australian Independent Distributors Association (AIDA) to help cinema owners fund the conversion from 35mm film prints to digital projection. The announcement, made last year by ICAA president Kieran Dell and vice president Benjamin Zeccola, did not name the studios. “We are continuing constructive and regular discussions with the remaining two major studios in order to finalise commercial terms with them in the near future,” they wrote in a letter to ICAA members on December 21. “As soon as these terms are finalised, we will be able to communicate to you the final details of the scheme that has been negotiated between ICAA and... Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:15:50 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/GCAMDHJGDQ http://if.com.au////article/Adventure-show-Bushwhacked-begins-filming-in-Tasmania/GCAMDHJGDQ.html Fay Al-Janabi Former child actor Brandon Walters and ABC3’s children's host Kayne Tremills have begun filming action-adventure TV series Bushwhacked! in Tasmania. The series, whichŒaims to intertwine the exploration of Australian landscapes and wildlife with education about Aboriginal culture, will also be filmed in Queensland, the Northern Territory's Red Centre, rural and northern New South Wales, Tasmania’s Eyre Peninsula coastline, and urban Victoria. Walters will set several challenges for co-host Tremills in theŒ13-part series, from tagging a tiger snake to swimming with great whites.ŒHowever, the series will also explore elements of bush survival and Aboriginal culture as Walters introduces Tremills to Aboriginal rights and rituals, as well as bushmen,... Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:44:07 +1100 http://if.com.au////article/ROCQWKYAGU http://if.com.au////article/Maggie-Dence-2011-Equity-Lifetime-Achievement-Award-recipient/ROCQWKYAGU.html Sam Dallas After a career spanning four decades, actress Maggie Dence was honoured with the 2011 Equity Lifetime Achievement Award. Best known for her roles in Prisoner, Neighbours, The Sullivans and classic comedy seriesŒKingswood Country, Dence accepted the award late-last year where it all began – the Independent Theatre in Miller Street, North Sydney. Growing up in Killara, NSW with her parents, three siblings and a dog on a quarter-acre block, Dence became interested in acting and started working backstage at the Independent Theatre at age 16.ŒShe was at the theatre for four years before being cast in her first professional role – The Wicked Witch in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. In later years – in the mid-90s – afterŒplaying school teacher... Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:04:39 +1100