Press release from CLPR
John Jameson Productions will showcase the winners of the 2009 John Jameson Productions Short Screenplay Competition on Wednesday 21 October at a specially created open air cinema on Sydney’s Garden Island.
The three winning short films are:
VIVA LAS POSSUM written by Andy Muir (formerly Blue Suede Possum)
The story of when an Elvis is discovered in a suburban attic, VIVA LAS POSSUM stars Sophie Cleary, Rudi Baker, Joel Russell and Marc Kay and features a cameo performance by over a dozen “Elvi” of various shapes and sizes! Produced by Lib Kelly through Howl Productions, co-produced by Matt Taylor, directed by award winning commercials director Marcus Hamill and written by Victorian based writer Andy Muir, the film was shot on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
COCKROACH written by Raen Fraser
Produced through More Sauce by Christopher Seeto and Luke Eve, COCKROACH was directed by Tropfest 2005 winner Luke Eve (Dave In The Life). Written by Raen Fraser, COCKROACH is the tale of Charlie who is tragically killed on his wedding day. Reincarnated as a cockroach, he must woo his bride back or face losing her forever! Starring Damon Gameau (Balibo, Underbelly, The Tracker) as Charlie, and Brooke Harman (Headland, Secret Life of Us, Pirate Islands) as Sera, the film was shot in Sydney, with Cockroach Charlie built in 3D by leading visual FX house Postmodern (Knowing, Australia).
PROVIDENCE PARK written by Hugh Jellie (formerly Stick).
A delightful tale of hope and possibility, PROVIDENCE PARK stars Rachael Taylor (Cedar Boys, Transformers), Tricia Youlden, Tony Barry (Australia, Dirt Game, Solo) and Sarah Grant. Directed by Daniel Krige, whose debut feature WEST had its World Premiere at the 2007 Berlin Film Festival, PROVIDENCE PARK was written by emerging writer Hugh Jellie. Produced by Matthew Reeder through Night Kitchen Productions, PROVIDENCE PARK’s crew includes DOP Judd Overton (Dr Plonk, All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane), Editor Suresh Ayyarr (Romulus My Father, Wog Boy, Bad Boy Bubby) and Composer Michael Yerzerski (The Black Balloon).
An initiative of Jameson Irish Whiskey, to give creative minds and emerging filmmakers the opportunity to have their great idea made into a short film with a production budget of $20,000 each, the competition received over 800 entrants writing a 200 word synopsis of their ‘great idea’ – with the only criteria being that the film must have an ‘unexpected ending’.
This year’s winners were assessed by a judging panel comprising industry luminaries including director DARREN ASHTON (Thunderstruck, Razzle Dazzle), actor ROY BILLING (Underbelly, The Dish), writer/producer ANNA-MARIA MONTICELLI (Disgrace, La Spagnola) leading film journalist and editor of Urban Cinefile ANDREW URBAN and esteemed scriptwriter JAN SARDI (Mao’s Last Dancer, The Notebook).
Each of the three films is further supported by John Jameson Productions for entry into Australian and International Film Festivals. Notably, the inaugural winning films of 2008 – Octopus, Multiple Choice and My New Toy – received invitations to screen at Festivals including LA Shorts Fest, Munich International Short Film Festival, Bondi Short Film Festival, Dungog Film Festival, St Kilda Film Festival, Encounters Film Festival and Palm Springs International ShortFest.
www.johnjamesonproductions.com.au