Press release from Tsuki
The Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA) is pleased to announce the DigiSPAA feature film competition winner for 2011 – Producers Rory Noke and Michael Clarkin for their film 10 Metres. The film was chosen from this year’s four finalists, chosen from 25 entries, which highlight the work of independent filmmakers from Australia and New Zealand, to take out the major prize, worth $45,000.
The award was revealed at SPAA’s Awards Dinner, held last night at Doltone House in Sydney as part of its annual conference, which gathers filmmakers from around the world. The winner was selected from the final four films by a panel of industry judges including: Colleen Meldrum, Program Director at Movie Network Channels; Ben Grant, film and television producer and Managing Director of Goalpost Pictures; Antony I. Ginnane, President of IFM World Releasing; Daniel Scharf, Producer of Geoffrey Wright’s AFI Award-winning Romper Stomper; and Owen Johnson, SPAA Production Executive.
The winner walks away with $15,000 cash, $20,000 worth of post-production, a guaranteed screening of the winning film on the Movie Extra channel, plus a return airfare and free registration to the prestigious CineMart International Film Festival Rotterdam, in The Netherlands.
“We congratulate Rory Noke and Michael Clarkin on their win and the rest of the team for a suspenseful and engaging film. All four finalists this year showcase the talent of independent filmmakers, but 10 Metres stood out for its resourcefulness and honesty,” said Antony I. Ginnane, DigiSPAA co-curator and Judge.
The thriller follows Scotty, a university student who has a bomb strapped to his body by a vengeful classmate, Carl, and the chase that ensues once he learns that he must stay at least ten metres away from Carl and the detonator. The chase attracts a media whirlpool and a man hunt, and for the two students the encounter culminates in student homicide, death of a police officer and the finding of new love.
“10 Metres demonstrates not only what can be done on a small budget, but how these restrictions can be turned around and used as an advantage to create authentic cinema. The film resists the urge to slip into the melodramatic and openly portrays fear, revenge, friendship and humour,” continued Antony I. Ginnane, co-curator of DigiSPAA.
10 Metres is written and directed by Rory Noke, co-directed by Tim Smith and produced by Michael Clarkin and Rory Noke.
The other three finalists in the competition are Passengers, written and directed by Michael Bond, produced by Michael Bond, Cameron Daddo and JJ Rogers; Line Disconnect, written, directed and produced by Joseph Wong, produced by Joseph Wong and Vanished, written, directed and produced by Michael Adante.
All four finalist films are available for viewing online through VEODigiSPAA. Readers can contact angela@spaa.org.au to view the films.
DigiSPAA is a creative project of the Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA), an industry body that represents Australian independent film and television producers on all issues affecting the business and creative aspects of screen production.