‘Birdie.’
Buoyed by the success of writer-director Shelly Lauman’s Birdie, the Australian Directors’ Guild has called for applications for the 2018/2019 Metro Screen Fellowships.
Lauman’s short film, which won the inaugural $20,000 Metro Screen Production Fellowship, premiered at MIFF and will screen in competition in the Short Cuts section of the Toronto International Film Festival.
Produced by Lizzie Cater and starring Maeve Dermody, Sam Parsonson, Joshua Brennan, Eden Falk and Lynette Curran, the psychological thriller follows a woman who is caught in a sinister game after meeting a guy on the stairs to an underground platform.
“We literally would not have been able to make this film without the support of the ADG/Metro Screen Production Fellowship,” Lauman said. “Aside from the actual funding, the nurture and guidance we received from everyone at the ADG, including the jury who selected the project, was absolutely above and beyond.”
Three screen practitioners shared the inaugural $15,000 Metro Screen Open Fellowship: Brietta Hague attended a two-week workshop in Cuba with German auteur Werner Herzog; Amanda Hood participated in the Hollywood Field Trip; and Rebecca Ingram went to the Stowe Story Lab in Vermont.
Last year emerging director Rebecca Greensill was awarded the Open Fellowship, undertaking a full year’s mentorship with Ellie Beaumont and Drew Proffitt at Subtext Pictures (Dead Lucky), working on the development, creation and research on new shows and assisting in post-production.
Managed by the ADG, the Metro Screen Fellowships are intended to foster and develop emerging screen culture and as a stepping-stone to programs such as the ADG’s Shadow Directing program, Screen NSW’s Emerging Filmmakers Fund and SPA’s Ones To Watch.
METRO SCREEN PRODUCTION FELLOWSHIP
$20,000 cash funding each to two NSW-based directors to support the production of their short screen work, not exceeding 12 minutes, in any genre and any format.
Last year the selection panel concluded that the Fellowship would not be awarded and as a result two cash fellowships of $20,000 each will be awarded this year.
In the spirit of Metro Screen, the Fellowship seeks strong stories that are bold, brave and have something to say, informed by lived experiences, challenge assumptions and are charged with a creative use of screen media. The aim is to find engaging stories that are not currently seen on screens.
Up to 10 projects will be shortlisted to receive individual story development mentoring and will be considered for production funding.
METRO SCREEN OPEN FELLOWSHIP
Up to $15,000 cash to support a screen career opportunity or screen sector development opportunity.
The Open Fellowship is designed to foster fresh ideas and promote new perspectives in the screen industry culture. It aims to assist an emerging screen practitioner from any discipline, looking to further their professional development, perhaps via an industry placement, or through research into a specific area of expertise/interest.
There are no restrictions as to what form this endeavour may take – with the exception that it is not to be used for production funding.
Possible opportunities/projects may include a work opportunity/placement designed to benefit the individual; a project to investigate, research or create something that would be beneficial to the screen industry as a whole such as a mentored development, attachment or internship; research into a new area pertaining to the screen industry; a community building opportunity, networking event, or innovative exhibition; and travel to investigate opportunities currently not available in Australia.
The committee has the right to determine whether applications meet the desired criteria for each of the Fellowship categories. If a Fellowship/s is not awarded the funds will be rolled over into the following application year. The committee also has the right to award the Open Fellowship to more than one applicant if individual applications are less than the full Fellowship funding available.
Applications close on September 24. The Production Fellowship shortlist and the Open Fellowship recipient/s will be announced on November 30. The deadline for the shortlisted Production Fellowship applications is November 30 and the recipients will be named in December.
To apply go here: