Jul 16, 2008
More than 60 producers from across Australia and New Zealand have been selected for registration to 37South: Bridging the Gap, the greatly expanded film co-financing market at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) which runs 24-27 July 2008.
The selected producers will get to meet 37South: Bridging the Gap’s more than 30 local and international film co-financiers/buyers in a series of scheduled one-to-one meetings, roundtables and networking events. A full program of events for the four day market has been released and is available at this link.
The number of scheduled one-to-one meetings between produces and financiers at 37South: Bridging the Gap has more than doubled to 592 meetings, while overall the number of meetings across the various strands of 37South2008 has more than tripled to a total of 814. Producer selection is up by almost one-third to 64.
“Building on 2007’s inaugural event, 37South2008 offers a greater number of producers, selected through a more diverse range of criteria, access to a wider variety of financiers and buyers here in Melbourne,” said 37South Manager Mark Woods.
Selected producers include Oscar-winner Melanie Coombs (HARVIE KRUMPET), Anthony Anderson (SOMERSAULT), Lizzette Atkins (NIGHT), Trevor Blainey (NOISE), Rosemary Blight (CLUBLAND), Helen Bowden (SOFT FRUIT), Andrea Buck (THE JAMMED), Penny Chapman (ROAD TO CORRAIN), Paul Cox (INNOCENCE), Martin Fabinyi (WOLF CREEK), Tim Jolley (CELEBRITY: DOMINICK DUNNE), Robyn Kershaw (LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI), Helen Leake (BLACK & WHITE), Richard Lowenstein (HE DIED WITH A FALAFEL IN HIS HAND), Michael McMahon (HOME SONG STORIES), David Parker (MALCOLM), David Redman (STRANGE BEDFELLOWS), Robin Scholes (ONCE WERE WARRIORS), Miriam Stein (HEY HEY ITS ESTHER BLUEBERGER) and Liz Watts (LITTLE FISH).
The majority of 37South: Bridging the Gap producers were selected on the basis of one fully-developed ‘market-ready’ project from their slate with some finance raised and/or a convincing finance plan. While each participant was selected on the basis of one such project, many producers have a slate of projects, which they may also pitch at the market.
One producer (Nicole O’Donohue) was selected as the 37South: Accelerator Express producer, while a further 10 producers will participate on the basis of their completed films being selected for the 37South: Breakthrough Screenings, which are screenings for invited buyers of films seeking world sales agents and/or local distribution.
Producers in receipt of MIFF Premiere Fund co-financing received preferential selection to 37South2008.
Roundtable moderators have been confirmed as producers Sue Murray and Sue Maslin, film lawyers Caroline Verge and Gai Steele, Film New Zealand Deputy Chair Sue Thompson, and Screen Australia executives Ross Matthews, Tait Brady and Karin Altmann.
The program of events also details of Public Panel sessions at Melbourne’s Forum Theatre, which are free and open to the public and registered participants alike. The Panels are as follows.
WHAT YOU WANT? Introducing 37South’s international buyers and finding out what content they seek.
(Friday 25 July at 10.15-11.30am)
BRAVE NEW WORLD! New Federal film agency and incentives – how is it shaping up?
(Friday 25 July at 5pm-6.30pm)
HOMESPUN STORIES: What local distributors seek and what they think of the new film finance system?
(Saturday 26 July at 10.15-11.40am)
PREMIERE PARADE: Meet producers of MIFF 2008 and MIFF 2009 Premiere Fund co-financed films
(Sunday 27 July at 10.15-11.40am).
37South2008 runs 24-27 July 2008 at MIFF, Australia’s oldest and largest festival.
[release from Limelight PR]