Press release from Tsuki
Sydney Film School is pleased to announce the inaugural winner for the Industry Advisory Board Pitch Competition will premiere at the 15th Sydney Film School Festival.
The session is presented by Popcorn Taxi and the screening will be followed by a Q&A with crew and cast moderated by Popcorn Taxi’s Creative Director Chris Murray.
Demonstrating Sydney Film School’s commitment to the Australian film industry and supporting young filmmakers, the Sydney Film School Industry Advisory Board (SFS IAB) invited graduates to pitch their projects for an opportunity to win a $5,000 production fund.
The cash production budget was awarded to graduate Gary Sofarelli for his short film ‘Lotus Sonny’.
Since its inception in 2009 the SFS IAB has worked tirelessly on empowering current students and SFS Alumni towards successful careers in the film, television and media industry.
“The Industry Advisory Board was created as a continued way to support students financially and enable them to turn their ideas into a finished production,” said Sydney Film School Director Ben Ferris.
Written and directed by 2010 Sydney Film School graduate Gary Sofarelli, ‘Lotus Sonny’ is a sexual awakening drama about the psychological preparation one teenager goes through in order to be able to take the sexual plunge with his girlfriend.
“I think gender dynamics have changed quite a bit, especially in the last few years. This story flips the perceived relationship role of couples to reflect more accurately what is happening in some cases, i.e. the girl is the one with the control pushing the boundaries and it’s the guy pulling back on the reins,” explained Sofarelli.
Sofarelli has previously worked on director John Duigan (The Year My Voice Broke) feature, 'Careless Love' and on the feature film ‘Toomelah’ selected for the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. He plans to enter the film into festivals locally and globally. Since its inception 7 years ago, 76 Sydney Film School films have screened at 105 prestigious film festivals in Australia and abroad winning 30 first prizes.
Shot in just over a week, ‘Lotus Sonny’ is Sofarelli’s first attempt at writing, directing and producing outside of film school. The film crew consisted of a dedicated mix of 15 SFS students and graduates.
Sydney Film School and Popcorn Taxi present:
Premiere Screening of ‘Lotus Sonny’
Moderated by Popcorn Taxi’s Creative Director Chris Murray followed by Q&A with cast and crew
Date: Thursday 15th December
Time: 1:30 – 3:00pm
Venue: Chauvel Cinema (Cnr Oxford St and Oatley Road, Paddington)
RSVP: festival@sydneyfilmschool.com by Friday, 9 December, 2011