Press Release from Miranda Brown Publicity
The creative excellence of South Australian filmmaking has been recognised at the closing night of the Sydney Film Festival with three major awards going to South Australian filmmakers. All three of the winning films were made with the support of the South Australian Film Corporation and the Adelaide Film Festival investment fund.
Winner of the $10,000 FOXTEL Australian Documentary Prize is Life in Movement produced and directed by Bryan Mason and Sophie Hyde. The film, a portrait of choreographer Tanya Liedtke who was tragically killed on the eve of taking up her appointment as director of the Sydney Dance Company, was described by judges as "pushing the documentary form in an adventurous direction. It weaves past and present in an innovative way, allowing the viewer to appreciate how art is made and how the work transcends the individual. This film celebrates the lasting effects of a passionate life." Life in Movement screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and has just returned from the Sheffield Doc Fest where it received international market interest.
Winner of the Dendy Award for Best Live Action Short is The Palace written and directed by Anthony Maras and produced by Anthony Maras and Kate Croser. Shot on the battle-scarred streets of Cyprus – around the corner from historic Archbishop’s residence and UN Buffer Zone, The Palace details a heart-wrenching war crime against a group of civilians by Turkish soldiers.
Judges described the film as “a wonderful achievement on every level”.
Speaking after the announcement in Sydney Anthony Maras said the film would now go to the world as a “plea for peace”.“We are delighted with tonight’s win – the film will now travel to a wider audience and show them the true costs of war, on all sides,” he said.
Preparations with international partners are underway to host a series of screenings at some of the world’s most well-known conflict zones, including the Berlin Wall and the UN Buffer Zone in Nicosia, Cyprus – the world’s last divided capital city. The win follows The Palace winning Best Short Film – Audience Award at its first public screening at the 2011 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival in March.
The $5,000 Peter Rasmussen Innovation Award, was awarded to writer/director/producer Dario Russo for Danger 5. Dario Russo shot to international infamy in 2007 when his independently produced “spoof” trailer 'Italian Spiderman' created a sensation on Youtube. On the basis of the success of this trailer, the South Australian Film Corporation financed a series of ten short webisodes, which attracted attention worldwide and recently secured commissioning from SBS for a 6 x 30 minute television series, Danger 5. Scheduled for broadcast later in 2011, Danger 5series has been completely developed in South Australia with all South Australian key creatives and production company.
“It is exciting to see the creative energy of South Australian filmmakers recognized on this national platform”, said SAFC CEO, Richard Harris. “The diversity of these films, and the individual styles of the filmmakers, shows the breadth of talent that we have in this state. We are delighted to be supporting this new generation of talent, and their recognition could not have come at a better time for the SAFC as it prepares to make the move to its new home at the Adelaide Studios.”