Press Release from South Australian Film Corporation
The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) today announced the five teams selected to participate in the 2010 round of their low budget feature film initiative FilmLab.
FilmLab is a development initiative of the SAFC, funded by the South Australian Government, which provides a tangible bridge for SA filmmakers across the seemingly unfathomable gap from short film to feature film production. The program culminates in the production of low budget films with the SAFC providing $350,000 in production funding for each.
The successful applicants for 2010 are:
• Kate Croser, Hugh Sullivan & Sandy Cameron
• Shane McNeil & Sean Dooley
• Dave Ngo, Nick Matthews & Craig Behenna
• Vicki Sugars & Christopher Houghton
• Lindy Taylor & Sue Brown
The successful teams were selected from very competitive pool of 22 applicants, and a shortlist of 12, by a panel of assessors including film critic Margaret Pomeranz (At the Movies), producer Bridget Ikin (An Angel at my Table, My Year Without Sex), producer and development executive Stephen Cleary, and the SAFC. Margaret Pomeranz said “it's a very nourishing experience to be invited to be part of FilmLab, experiencing the depth of talent that is obviously there to be encouraged. It's a privilege to come face to face with the energy, drive and talent of the filmmakers and I look forward to seeing the fruits of FilmLab in the near future.”
The strength of the applicants this year has led to the selection of an additional team of Julie Byrne, Fiona Sprott & Jason Sweeney who will join the lab as observers.
The teams will participate in a three week intensive boot camp from 10-30 November involving a combination of lectures, seminars, improvisations and multimedia presentations, as well as working intensely with story developers, actors and other industry experts. Additionally, in early February next year the SAFC will present two AFTRS workshops for FilmLab that will also be open to general industry: ‘Distribution, Exhibition and International Sales with Tait Brady’ and ‘Low Budget Features: How, Why & What Not to Do!’
Assessor Bridget Ikin said “The SA FilmLab is a terrific opportunity to really imagine – and be able to realise – an original film. I really think the projects selected are going result in exciting and distinctive films.”
The workshop mentors are screenwriter and playwright Peter Speyer, co-writer of award winning film The Wooden Camera ( ‘Crystal Bear’ award, Berlin Film festival, 2004; Best South African Film, 2004); theatre director, playwright and composer Paddy Cunneen; and producer and development executive Stephen Cleary, who has developed over 80 feature films including works by Ken Loach and Michael Winterbottom.
“It is great to have the FilmLab team of Stephen, Paddy and Peter back on board, and to have such a strong group of filmmakers once again,” said SAFC CEO Richard Harris. “The panel was blown away by the level of talent in this state and we look forward to FilmLab helping them find their voices.”
More information about FilmLab is available at www.safilmlab.com.au
The first of the inaugural FilmLab films, ShutUp Little Man, by Closer Productions, will premiere at the 2011 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival in February next year.