Press release from Quail TV
Crossing the Ditch, the inspiring documentary of James Castrission and Justin Jones’ epic kayak journey between Australia and New Zealand, has been named as a finalist for the 2010 Banff Mountain Film Festival in Canada.
Produced by Quail TV, this dramatic film follows the legendary crossing made by the two young Australians across the treacherous Tasman Sea. Tracing the heroic efforts of the boys as they battle sharks, sun, fatigue and huge seas to reach their destination – tired and hungry, but still alive – the film was a natural choice for this internationally renowned festival, which celebrates inspiring endeavours in the great outdoors.
Crossing the Ditch, also known by its alternate title 62 Days at Sea, has already received extensive acclaim in Australia and New Zealand, and festival organisers said they expect a great response from film audiences at the event, which attracts 10,000 people each year.
Greg Quail, founder of Quail TV, said he was thrilled to hear of the film’s nomination: “James and Justin’s feat was an epic achievement, and we were honoured to bring their story to the screen.”
“A journey of this scale is one that will inspire audiences everywhere – I can’t wait to see the reaction of the audiences in Banff,” he said.
Quail TV is renowned for its success in producing compelling documentary and factual film, with another of its recent successes being the real-life series Find My Family, which delivered the Seven Network one of the biggest Australian factual hits of all time and sparked US and UK productions of the Dutch format.
The Quail TV team have just returned from MIPCOM 2010 in Cannes, France, where they launched a new scripted and light entertainment unit headed by renowned scriptwriter Rick Kalowski and a branded content business, Quail Content, headed by Kate Edwards.
Crossing the Ditch will screen at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in Canada on 6 and 7 November 2010: www.banffcentre.ca/mountainfestival/