A collection of top industry people will help the filmmakers of tomorrow discuss their film ideas for next year’s Tropfest at a free event in Sydney’s west next week.
TropWest 2010, held by not-for-profit organisation Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE), will allow filmmakers to be involved in a “Speed-Meet” where you can have a one-on-one discussion about your film ideas for the upcoming February festival.
Speakers and speed-meet facilitators on the night will include Hopscotch Films’ Lucy Hill, writer/story consultant Lina Kastoumis and SBS shorts programmer Nicola Hewitt.
The winner of ICE's TropWest scholarship – worth $5000 – will also be announced on the night.
The scholarship will include access to filmmaking and production facilities at SWITCH, a production budget and a ‘mentor’ that will be available throughout the filming of their Tropfest entry.
“It needs to be a unique story but you don’t need too much experience with film,” ICE’s cultural development manager and TropWest organiser Mouna Zaylah said.
It’s a busy time for ICE, with their new Digital Arts Centre SWITCH opening its doors to the public this Wednesday, November 3.
ICE acting executive director Lisa Torrance says SWITCH will offer the community “an inclusive, creative space to collaborate, learn, experiment and explore digital technologies through a range of pathways, creative enterprises and mentorships”.
“We hope that you will join us there to engage with the myriad of culturally-diverse and creative communities working in this vibrant and innovative city.”
Torrance added it would help give emerging and established practitioners access to facilities and equipment that they normally wouldn’t be able to.
The organisation, based on Victoria Road, also recently released a free online 16-page resource Scout! – which includes all the relevant information to get your screen content made in Parramatta.
“It came about to support the screen culture of Parramatta and make it a city accessible to filmmakers and screen practitioners,” Torrance says of the Parramatta City Council/ICE joint project.
The company itself has been promoting the area to filmmakers for more than 20 years and the city continues to grow, now being known as Sydney’s “second CBD”.
To attend TropWest – held on Wednesday, November 10 between 6-8pm – you need to register via email to info@ice.org.au before November 8.
For more information on ICE, TropWest and Scout! visit www.ice.org.au.