Press release from Screen Australia
Australian short films will have a strong presence at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival, with four films selected to screen in the Generation program. Australian Maxine Williamson, Artistic Director of the Asia Pacific Screen Academy, has also been announced as a Jury Member of the Generation section and five Australians have been selected to attend the Talent Campus.
Kiss by writer/director Alex Murawski and The Wilding by writer/director Grant Scicluna will compete in the Generation 14plus category. Writer/director Billie Pleffer’s BINO and writer/director/producer Matthew Moore’s Julian will compete in the Generation Kplus category.
Produced by Annmaree J Bell and starring Remy Hii, Benedict Samuel and Sophie Lowe, Kiss explores the ramifications of a young boy’s first kiss. The Wilding produced by Jannine Barnes is a story about the relationship between two inmates in juvenile detention starring Reef Ireland, Frank Sweet, Luke Mullins and Shannon Glowacki. The Wilding was funded through Screen Australia’s Springboard Initiative.
BINO produced by Rita Walsh with associate producer Stacey Kwijas is about a thrill-seeking albino boy who is forced to realise an essential truth through a chance encounter with an Irish Wolfhound. Julian explores a day in the life of a nine-year-old boy and is produced by Matthew Moore and Robert Jago with executive producers Ian Darling, Mark Kilmurry, Phillip Verity, Joel Moss, Tara O’Sullivan, Lisa Mann and Katrina Moore.
“It is a really strong year for Australian shorts, a real highlight and we are thrilled to be able to screen so many in the Generation context. It is a great year for nurturing new talent!” said Maryanne Redpath, Director of the Generation section of the Berlin International Film Festival.
Five Australians – director Jeremy Bliss, cinematographer Nicola Daley, producer Anna Kojevnikov, cinematographer Michael Latham and film critic Anders Wotzke – have been selected to attend the 10th Berlinale Talent Campus. With the 2012 theme ‘Changing Perspectives’, the Talent Campus is a creative academy and networking platform for 350 up-and-coming filmmakers from all over the world, offering a prominent program featuring many Berlinale guests and international experts.
Screen Australia will have a stand at the European Film Market in the Martin-Gropius-Bau and will co-host a function with the Australian Embassy in Berlin for Australians and significant international film professionals who do business with Australia.
The Berlin International Film Festival takes place 9–19 February 2012 and Talent Campus takes place 11–16 February 2012 in Berlin, Germany. For more information visit: www.berlinale.de
SHORT FILMS GENERATION 14PLUS
KISS
(12 mins)
Writer/Director Alex Murawski
Producer Annmaree J Bell
Cast Remy Hii, Benedict Samuel, Sophie Lowe
Synopsis Tom has never been kissed. His best friend offers his girlfriend to practise with, awakening Tom’s desire and changing the trio’s friendship forever.
THE WILDING
(15 mins)
Writer/Director Grant Scicluna
Producer Jannine Barnes
Cast Reef Ireland, Frank Sweet, Luke Mullins, Shannon Glowacki
Synopsis Malcolm, an inmate in juvenile detention, is in love with his cellmate, Tye, but keeps their relationship a secret. When he is offered a chance at parole, it ignites a chain of events that marks Tye for revenge attacks by other inmates. Malcolm makes a devastating decision to end the violence towards Tye, and in doing so sacrifices his shot at freedom.
SHORT FILMS GENERATION KPLUS
BINO
(10 mins)
Writer/Director Billie Pleffer
Producer Rita Walsh
Associate Producer Stacey Kwijas
Production Company Victorian College of the Arts
Cast Edvard Hakansson, Nathan Chisholm, Andrew Gischus
Synopsis Through a chance encounter with an Irish Wolfhound a thrill-seeking albino boy is forced to realise an essential truth.
JULIAN
(13 mins)
Writer/Director/Producer Matthew Moore
Producer Robert Jago
Exec Producers Ian Darling, Mark Kilmurry, Phillip Verity, Joel Moss, Tara O’Sullivan, Lisa Mann, Katrina Moore
Cast Ed Oxenbould, Leon Ford, Morgana Davies, Christopher Stollery
Synopsis Set in a year four classroom in 1981, Julian explores a day in the life of a nine-year-old boy. Julian’s need to speak his truth and his strong urge to do what he thinks is right begins to unravel his world. Throughout the day Julian is forced to deal with a bully, an impatient teacher turning a blind eye and a principal with a secret. As Julian faces these challenges we begin to see the qualities that will inform the man he is to become.