Four projects from emerging filmmakers – two from South Australia and one each from Queensland and NSW – will receive funding via ABC Arts and Screen Australia’s joint initiative, Art Bites.
Each team will receive direct investment of $60,000 from the ABC and Screen Australia to make a 6 x 5 minute documentary web series to premiere on the ABC Arts channel on iview in 2018.
Each team will be supported by a Screen Australia Investment Manager and an ABC Digital Arts commissioning editor. They will also be mentored by Bridget Ikin and John Maynard from Felix Media, as part of their Screen Australia Enterprise Industry mentoring initiative.
The initiative Art Bites initiative is now its second year. ABC TV head of arts Mandy Chang said the inaugural four projects were a great success for the ABC Arts channel on iview.
“In response to this, we’ll broadcast a compilation of some series on the main channel in July/August. Apart from unearthing talented new directors and producers, the initiative created a unique opportunity to tell stories that resonate with younger audiences on a digital platform,” said Chang.
This year we hope to match the success of series one with a new slate of filmmakers with diverse and innovative approaches and subjects.”
Screen Australia’s senior manager of documentary Liz Stevens said Arts Bites was a “proven launch pad” for emerging talent.
“Last year’s recipients included Shock Art producer Alice Ross, whose new project Mirrabooka has just been commissioned by a broadcaster, and The Wanderers’ producer Drew Macdonald who was included in SPA’s 2017 Ones to Watch list. We are particularly pleased about the regional diversity of this year’s teams and welcome our state agency funding partners who have come on board for this initiative for the first time.”
The four projects are:
Carla and Lisa’s Countdown of Australian Art (NSW) about Auburn-based twins and visual artists Carla and Lisa – highly knowledgeable fans obsessed with Australian art – who gain unprecedented access to the archives of the Art Gallery of NSW (AGNSW) and share a lifetime of treasured anecdotes. Directed by Ludwig El Haddad who is an art educator at AGNSW, and produced by Barry Gamba.
Lessons from a Middle Class Artist (SA), which will follow struggling musician Anthony Frith as he travels to the US and meets with successful novelty song composer Matt Farley to learn how to make a living from his art. Directed by Frith (The Worst Alien in the World), produced by Rebecca Elliott (Michelle’s Story, The Worst Alien in the World) and executive produced by Rebecca Summerton. The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) will provide an additional $30,000 for this project.
Mirror Mirror (QLD) where six prominent Australian artists will be enlisted to create an honest and intimate self-portrait that explores their sense of identity. Directed by Brodie Poole whose short film Flight of the Buffalo was selected for Sydney Film Festival in 2015, and produced by Kate Paul who was recently selected by Screen Producers Australia (SPA) for their 2017 Ones to Watch program. Screen Queensland will provide an additional $30,000 for this project.
Unboxed (SA) which will follow filmmaker and Trans Rights Advocate Sam Matthews as she meets with other trans and gender diverse artists from around the country to explore the prominent role artistic expression has played in their lives. Unboxed will be directed by Matthews, produced by Kirsty Stark (Wastelander Panda) and Rebecca Elliott. SAFC will provide an additional $30,000 for this project.
Read IF’s interviews with previous Art Bites recipients:
- Artist Ian Strange traces eight years of his work through ABC iview series
- Kate Blackmore and Bethany Bruce on web series ‘The Glass Bedroom’
Screen Australia and the ABC also recently launched Love Bites, an initiative for LGBTIQ filmmakers. It will offer 10 LGBTIQ filmmakers $10,000 each to make a five minute documentary short, to then screen on ABC iview under the ‘Love Bites’ banner during next year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.