Leading Australian producers Cathy Rodda (“Unfinished Sky”) and Lisa Duff (“Last Cab to Darwin”) are joining Anupam Sharma’s English and Hindi-language “Honour” as the film project heads for Film Bazaar in Goa, India.
“Honour” is a social thriller based on true events and is the story of a bride who goes to Australia with a million dreams which soon turn into a nightmare of dowry and domestic abuse. Trapped in a web of deceit, greed, visa regulations, and pressures to protect the honour of her family, herself and the Indian community in Australia, the woman decides to run when she gets pregnant and is forced to abort
The film is currently in final stages of development. It is expected to shoot in Victoria state.
Forum Films has acquired distribution rights for Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands and Papua New Guinea with Janine Barnes also serving as producer. Rodda will...
“Honour” is a social thriller based on true events and is the story of a bride who goes to Australia with a million dreams which soon turn into a nightmare of dowry and domestic abuse. Trapped in a web of deceit, greed, visa regulations, and pressures to protect the honour of her family, herself and the Indian community in Australia, the woman decides to run when she gets pregnant and is forced to abort
The film is currently in final stages of development. It is expected to shoot in Victoria state.
Forum Films has acquired distribution rights for Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands and Papua New Guinea with Janine Barnes also serving as producer. Rodda will...
- 11/2/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
French sales agency Elle Driver is giving a Cannes Market launch to “Kid Snow,” a West Australian-produced tale of redemption set in the 1970s world of tent boxing. Production starts on Monday in Australia’s Goldfields-Esperance region, making it the first feature film to kick off production in the state since its border re-opened.
Boxing tents toured Australia’s small towns from the early 1900s until the 1970s, and were venues where professional fighters faced off against local challengers. The troupes criss-crossed the outback, boasted a carnival-like atmosphere and were places where Indigenous fighters could become heroes.
Penned by writers John Brumpton and Stephen Cleary, the story involves a washed-up Irish boxer named Kid Snow who is finally given a chance to redeem himself when he is offered a rematch against the man he fought a decade prior, on a night that changed his life forever. When Kid Snow meets single mother Sunny,...
Boxing tents toured Australia’s small towns from the early 1900s until the 1970s, and were venues where professional fighters faced off against local challengers. The troupes criss-crossed the outback, boasted a carnival-like atmosphere and were places where Indigenous fighters could become heroes.
Penned by writers John Brumpton and Stephen Cleary, the story involves a washed-up Irish boxer named Kid Snow who is finally given a chance to redeem himself when he is offered a rematch against the man he fought a decade prior, on a night that changed his life forever. When Kid Snow meets single mother Sunny,...
- 5/22/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
We’re not even halfway through the year, but 2021 is shaping up to be a record-breaker for Australian films at the box office.
So far, the 25 local films and documentaries to screen theatrically have grossed $67.5 million, according to Numero.
That number means this is already the second highest year for Australian film on record, having overtaken 2001’s annual result of $63.1 million (not adjusting for inflation).
Our best year at the box office was 2015, when ticket sales tallied $88 million, spurred on Mad Max: Fury Road, The Dressmaker, Oddball, The Water Diviner, Paper Planes and Last Cab To Darwin.
With more than half the year to go, that record could be surpassed come December. By way of comparison, in the first six months of 2015, receipts stood at $34 million.
This is an incredible result at the best of times, but is made more so by the fact exhibition is still disrupted by the...
So far, the 25 local films and documentaries to screen theatrically have grossed $67.5 million, according to Numero.
That number means this is already the second highest year for Australian film on record, having overtaken 2001’s annual result of $63.1 million (not adjusting for inflation).
Our best year at the box office was 2015, when ticket sales tallied $88 million, spurred on Mad Max: Fury Road, The Dressmaker, Oddball, The Water Diviner, Paper Planes and Last Cab To Darwin.
With more than half the year to go, that record could be surpassed come December. By way of comparison, in the first six months of 2015, receipts stood at $34 million.
This is an incredible result at the best of times, but is made more so by the fact exhibition is still disrupted by the...
- 6/4/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
The impact of Covid-19 and the impending removal of the Gallipoli clause from the Producer Offset have been a double blow for Australian productions aiming to film overseas across the past 18 months.
Add in a cyclone season and the process becomes even harder to navigate.
Such is the scenario for Jo-Anne Brechin’s Gardens of War, an Australian production to be filmed in Vanuatu, now at the mercy of government leniency after more than a year in development limbo.
The story follows a TV producer who leads her film crew into a remote mountain valley to discover the story of her father’s disappearance 30 years before, only to disturb his ghost and unleash havoc on the valley and her crew.
Sydney-based producer Bill Leimbach (Beneath Hill 60) penned the script with Brechin and Reg Cribb (Last Cab to Darwin), and is also producing with Bill Mulham and Ashley Burgess.
Financing was...
Add in a cyclone season and the process becomes even harder to navigate.
Such is the scenario for Jo-Anne Brechin’s Gardens of War, an Australian production to be filmed in Vanuatu, now at the mercy of government leniency after more than a year in development limbo.
The story follows a TV producer who leads her film crew into a remote mountain valley to discover the story of her father’s disappearance 30 years before, only to disturb his ghost and unleash havoc on the valley and her crew.
Sydney-based producer Bill Leimbach (Beneath Hill 60) penned the script with Brechin and Reg Cribb (Last Cab to Darwin), and is also producing with Bill Mulham and Ashley Burgess.
Financing was...
- 6/2/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Nearly six years ago, “Rams,” a touching humanist drama from Iceland directed and written by Grímur Hákonarson, won hearts — and prizes — at the Cannes Film Festival. Now, in trots “Rams,” an Australian remake, directed by Jeremy Sims (“Last Cab to Darwin”). Adapted with winning cultural specificity by former newsman Jules Duncan, it’s longer and more broadly comic than the Icelandic version and boasts a tacked on, feel-good ending. Beloved Antipodean stars Sam Neill and Michael Caton play the two estranged brothers who must pull together to save what is dearest to them: their sheep.
Although they have not spoken to one another for 40 years, Colin (Neill) and older brother Les (Caton) Grimurson live on neighboring stud farms in a valley near Mount Barker, Western Australia. The spectacularly scenic landscape with its nearby mountains and beaches as well as baking hot summers and bush fires becomes a fateful character in the action.
Although they have not spoken to one another for 40 years, Colin (Neill) and older brother Les (Caton) Grimurson live on neighboring stud farms in a valley near Mount Barker, Western Australia. The spectacularly scenic landscape with its nearby mountains and beaches as well as baking hot summers and bush fires becomes a fateful character in the action.
- 2/5/2021
- by Alissa Simon
- Variety Film + TV
Short film Judas Collar was among the star performers at the Wa Screen Culture Awards yesterday, taking out five categories at the inaugural event.
Held as a conclusion to the Revelation Perth International Film Festival, the awards recognise new, established, and emerging screen practices across 18 divisions.
Alison James’ story of a tracking device known as a Judas Collar that captures the journey and betrayal of a feral camel in Australia’s Outback added to its inclusion on the long list for the Academy Award for short film last year, winning each of its nominated fields, including Innovation in Short Film or Animation.
James told If innovation was at the heart of her film, which contains no dialogue and involved helicopter stunt work in the remote outback.
“There’s no road map for how to make a film like this,” she said.
“We were filming camels without ropes, so we had...
Held as a conclusion to the Revelation Perth International Film Festival, the awards recognise new, established, and emerging screen practices across 18 divisions.
Alison James’ story of a tracking device known as a Judas Collar that captures the journey and betrayal of a feral camel in Australia’s Outback added to its inclusion on the long list for the Academy Award for short film last year, winning each of its nominated fields, including Innovation in Short Film or Animation.
James told If innovation was at the heart of her film, which contains no dialogue and involved helicopter stunt work in the remote outback.
“There’s no road map for how to make a film like this,” she said.
“We were filming camels without ropes, so we had...
- 12/14/2020
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Robert Zemeckis’s Roald Dahl adaptation debuts with an estimated $4.8m; ‘Rams’ lands top in Australia.
‘The Witches’ debuts with $4.8m
Robert Zemeckis’s film version of Roald Dahl’s The Witches began its international run on Halloween weekend, following its October 22 premiere on HBO Max in the US. The Warner Bros comedy fantasy – which is co-written by Zemeckis, Black-ish creator Kenya Barris and Guillermo Del Toro, and stars Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer and Stanley Tucci – debuted with an estimated $4.8m from 17 markets.
Top-performing territory was Russia/Cis with $1.6m, with Mexico second with $823,000. Germany, Saudi Arabia and Spain round...
‘The Witches’ debuts with $4.8m
Robert Zemeckis’s film version of Roald Dahl’s The Witches began its international run on Halloween weekend, following its October 22 premiere on HBO Max in the US. The Warner Bros comedy fantasy – which is co-written by Zemeckis, Black-ish creator Kenya Barris and Guillermo Del Toro, and stars Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer and Stanley Tucci – debuted with an estimated $4.8m from 17 markets.
Top-performing territory was Russia/Cis with $1.6m, with Mexico second with $823,000. Germany, Saudi Arabia and Spain round...
- 11/2/2020
- by Charles Gant
- ScreenDaily
In today’s Global Bulletin Vivendi’s 2020 finances are up 2.4%, the Young Artist Academy announces this year’s award recipients, All3Media picks up “A World of Calm,” West End Films sells “Rams” in key territories and Fremantle promotes Seb Shorr.
Finance
In a year marked by the coronavirus pandemic, Vivendi saw its consolidated revenues go up by 2.4% to €11.6 billion ($13.7 billion) during the first nine months of 2020, and up 1.3 % during the third quarter.
The group’s subscription-based activities, especially at Universal Music Group and to a lesser extent Canal Plus Group, have bolstered Vivendi’s revenues. Canal Plus Group’s revenues were up 6.6% for the first nine months of 2020 and up 7.3% for the third quarter of 2020. The company’s international activities grew a strong pace with revenues from international operations rising by 27.4%. The addition of 1.2 million subscribers around the world, and the integration of M7, a leading pay-tv company in Europe...
Finance
In a year marked by the coronavirus pandemic, Vivendi saw its consolidated revenues go up by 2.4% to €11.6 billion ($13.7 billion) during the first nine months of 2020, and up 1.3 % during the third quarter.
The group’s subscription-based activities, especially at Universal Music Group and to a lesser extent Canal Plus Group, have bolstered Vivendi’s revenues. Canal Plus Group’s revenues were up 6.6% for the first nine months of 2020 and up 7.3% for the third quarter of 2020. The company’s international activities grew a strong pace with revenues from international operations rising by 27.4%. The addition of 1.2 million subscribers around the world, and the integration of M7, a leading pay-tv company in Europe...
- 10/21/2020
- by Jamie Lang and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Frank Woodley.
Many producers fear the Federal Government’s sweeping media reforms will spell the death knell of Australian features, forcing them and some writers and directors to focus on content for streamers or free-to-air broadcasters.
Lowering the Producer Offset for films to 30 per cent from July 2021 will leave a gap of at least 25 per cent of the budgets which most producers will find impossible to fill, according to producer/distributor Sue Maslin.
“The exceptions will be largely foreign-financed films or local films with cast led by foreign actors making the most of Australian financial incentives, cast, crew and locations. That or extremely low budget films with little hope of competing in the cinema market,” the Film Art Media principal tells If.
“I find this summary dismissal of Australian cinema devastating and will be forced to relegate all feature films currently in development to the bottom drawer until we see...
Many producers fear the Federal Government’s sweeping media reforms will spell the death knell of Australian features, forcing them and some writers and directors to focus on content for streamers or free-to-air broadcasters.
Lowering the Producer Offset for films to 30 per cent from July 2021 will leave a gap of at least 25 per cent of the budgets which most producers will find impossible to fill, according to producer/distributor Sue Maslin.
“The exceptions will be largely foreign-financed films or local films with cast led by foreign actors making the most of Australian financial incentives, cast, crew and locations. That or extremely low budget films with little hope of competing in the cinema market,” the Film Art Media principal tells If.
“I find this summary dismissal of Australian cinema devastating and will be forced to relegate all feature films currently in development to the bottom drawer until we see...
- 10/2/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Lillian Crombie and Ningali Lawford-Wolf.
Indigenous performers Lillian Crombie and the late Ningali Lawford-Wolf have been voted joint recipients of the 10th annual Equity Lifetime Achievement Award.
Australian actor, writer and director Wayne Blair was among the 32 members of the Equity National Performers’ Committee who selected Lillian and Ningali for this year’s award.
“Their rich and varied careers have been observed by generations of First Nations performers coming behind them. They have led by example and paved the way for so many others to follow in their footsteps,” says Blair.
A proud woman from the Pitjintjara/Yungkuntjara Nation, Crombie left Port Pirie in South Australia as its best classical ballerina and landed in Sydney in the 1970s to dance her way into Black performance, politics and culture.
Her career as one of Australia’s leading performers followed with roles in Baz Luhrmann’s Australia, The Secret Life of Us,...
Indigenous performers Lillian Crombie and the late Ningali Lawford-Wolf have been voted joint recipients of the 10th annual Equity Lifetime Achievement Award.
Australian actor, writer and director Wayne Blair was among the 32 members of the Equity National Performers’ Committee who selected Lillian and Ningali for this year’s award.
“Their rich and varied careers have been observed by generations of First Nations performers coming behind them. They have led by example and paved the way for so many others to follow in their footsteps,” says Blair.
A proud woman from the Pitjintjara/Yungkuntjara Nation, Crombie left Port Pirie in South Australia as its best classical ballerina and landed in Sydney in the 1970s to dance her way into Black performance, politics and culture.
Her career as one of Australia’s leading performers followed with roles in Baz Luhrmann’s Australia, The Secret Life of Us,...
- 10/31/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Veteran actor, David Wenham and rising star Ahmed Malek are set to star in “The Furnace.” The adventure drama is by first time feature director Roderick MacKay, with production by Timothy White (“I Am Mother”) and Tenille Kennedy (“H Is For Happiness”).
Set in Western Australia’s 1890s gold rush, “The Furnace” is an unlikely hero’s tale, navigating greed and the search for identity in a new land. It illuminates the forgotten history of Australia’s ‘Ghan’ cameleers, predominantly Muslim and Sikh men from India, Afghanistan and Persia, who opened up the country’s desert interior, and formed unique bonds with local Aboriginal people.
Malek, an Egyptian actor who was named one of the Rising Stars at the Toronto Film Festival in 2018, will play a camel driver who teams up with a bushman, played by Wenham. Together, they must outwit zealous troopers in a race to reset gold bars at a secret furnace.
Set in Western Australia’s 1890s gold rush, “The Furnace” is an unlikely hero’s tale, navigating greed and the search for identity in a new land. It illuminates the forgotten history of Australia’s ‘Ghan’ cameleers, predominantly Muslim and Sikh men from India, Afghanistan and Persia, who opened up the country’s desert interior, and formed unique bonds with local Aboriginal people.
Malek, an Egyptian actor who was named one of the Rising Stars at the Toronto Film Festival in 2018, will play a camel driver who teams up with a bushman, played by Wenham. Together, they must outwit zealous troopers in a race to reset gold bars at a secret furnace.
- 9/13/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Ahmed Malek.
Writer-director Roderick Mackay’s feature debut The Furnace is set to kick off in Wa next month, headlined by a cast that includes Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek, David Wenham and The Nightingale’s Baykali Ganambarr.
Set in the during the 1890s gold rush, the film is described as an “unlikely hero’s tale” navigating greed and identity. It illuminates a history of Australia’s ‘Ghan’ cameleers, predominantly Muslim and Sikh men from India, Afghanistan and Persia, who opened up the desert interior, and formed unique bonds with local Aboriginal people.
Malek, named a Rising Star at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, will play Hanif, a young cameleer who forms a partnership with a bushman on the run with Crown gold. The bushman, Mal, will be played by Wenham, a long-time supporter of the project. Together, they must outwit zealous troopers in a race to reset the gold bars at a secret furnace.
Writer-director Roderick Mackay’s feature debut The Furnace is set to kick off in Wa next month, headlined by a cast that includes Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek, David Wenham and The Nightingale’s Baykali Ganambarr.
Set in the during the 1890s gold rush, the film is described as an “unlikely hero’s tale” navigating greed and identity. It illuminates a history of Australia’s ‘Ghan’ cameleers, predominantly Muslim and Sikh men from India, Afghanistan and Persia, who opened up the desert interior, and formed unique bonds with local Aboriginal people.
Malek, named a Rising Star at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, will play Hanif, a young cameleer who forms a partnership with a bushman on the run with Crown gold. The bushman, Mal, will be played by Wenham, a long-time supporter of the project. Together, they must outwit zealous troopers in a race to reset the gold bars at a secret furnace.
- 9/13/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Meg Mundell.
Fremantle and Triptych Pictures’ Kristian Moliere are teaming up to make a TV drama adapted from New Zealand-born author Meg Mundell’s second novel The Trespassers.
The tome follows a shipload of migrant workers fleeing from a pandemic-stricken UK who seek a fresh start in Australia. For nine-year-old Cleary the journey promises adventure, for former nurse Billie it’s a chance to put a shameful mistake behind her, while struggling schoolteacher Tom hopes for a brighter future.
But when a crew member is murdered and people start falling gravely ill, the Steadfast descends into chaos. Trapped on the ship, the trio must join forces to survive the journey and its aftermath.
The screenplay is being written by Andy Cox, who was a script consultant on Stephen Johnson’s High Ground, script editor on Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab to Darwin and script consultant on Kim Mordaunt’s The Rocket.
Fremantle and Triptych Pictures’ Kristian Moliere are teaming up to make a TV drama adapted from New Zealand-born author Meg Mundell’s second novel The Trespassers.
The tome follows a shipload of migrant workers fleeing from a pandemic-stricken UK who seek a fresh start in Australia. For nine-year-old Cleary the journey promises adventure, for former nurse Billie it’s a chance to put a shameful mistake behind her, while struggling schoolteacher Tom hopes for a brighter future.
But when a crew member is murdered and people start falling gravely ill, the Steadfast descends into chaos. Trapped on the ship, the trio must join forces to survive the journey and its aftermath.
The screenplay is being written by Andy Cox, who was a script consultant on Stephen Johnson’s High Ground, script editor on Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab to Darwin and script consultant on Kim Mordaunt’s The Rocket.
- 9/4/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Ningali Lawford-Wolf in The Secret River.
Renowned Indigenous actor Ningali Lawford-Wolf died on Sunday while touring with the Sydney Theatre Company production in Edinburgh of The Secret River, Andrew Bovell’s adaptation of the Kate Grenville novel. She was 52.
The performer and mentor was hospitalised after suffering a heart attack and died surrounded by her family.
“Ningali was an incredibly talented performer as well as a wonderfully caring and thoughtful person,” the Stc posted on its website. “We’ve lost one of Australian theatre’s greatest treasures.”
A Wangkatjungka woman born under a tree at Christmas Creek Station in the far north Kimberley region of Western Australia, her film credits included Phillip Noyce’s Rabbit-Proof Fence, Rachel Perkins’ Bran Nue Dae and Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab to Darwin.
Noyce said: “Ningali will be remembered as an extraordinarily loving artist who gave her all to everything and everyone. Without Ningali Rabbit-Proof...
Renowned Indigenous actor Ningali Lawford-Wolf died on Sunday while touring with the Sydney Theatre Company production in Edinburgh of The Secret River, Andrew Bovell’s adaptation of the Kate Grenville novel. She was 52.
The performer and mentor was hospitalised after suffering a heart attack and died surrounded by her family.
“Ningali was an incredibly talented performer as well as a wonderfully caring and thoughtful person,” the Stc posted on its website. “We’ve lost one of Australian theatre’s greatest treasures.”
A Wangkatjungka woman born under a tree at Christmas Creek Station in the far north Kimberley region of Western Australia, her film credits included Phillip Noyce’s Rabbit-Proof Fence, Rachel Perkins’ Bran Nue Dae and Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab to Darwin.
Noyce said: “Ningali will be remembered as an extraordinarily loving artist who gave her all to everything and everyone. Without Ningali Rabbit-Proof...
- 8/14/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Palm Beach.’
The head-to-head clash between Universal’s Palm Beach and Transmission Films’ Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan last weekend was far from ideal, but both films are positioned to have leggy runs thanks to word of mouth.
Rachel Ward’s Palm Beach opened in third spot behind the fourth weekend of Disney’s blockbuster The Lion King and the second lap of Universal’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.
Scripted by Ward and Joanna Murray-Smith, the comedy-drama about a group of lifelong friends reuniting to celebrate a special birthday rang up $1.14 million on 250 locations and $1.23 million with previews.
Starring Bryan Brown, Sam Neill, Greta Scacchi, Richard E Grant, Jacqueline McKenzie, Claire van der Boom, Aaron Jeffrey, Heather Mitchell and Matilda Brown, the film opened 3 per cent ahead of Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding, which finished with $5.2 million, and at the same level as Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab to Darwin,...
The head-to-head clash between Universal’s Palm Beach and Transmission Films’ Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan last weekend was far from ideal, but both films are positioned to have leggy runs thanks to word of mouth.
Rachel Ward’s Palm Beach opened in third spot behind the fourth weekend of Disney’s blockbuster The Lion King and the second lap of Universal’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.
Scripted by Ward and Joanna Murray-Smith, the comedy-drama about a group of lifelong friends reuniting to celebrate a special birthday rang up $1.14 million on 250 locations and $1.23 million with previews.
Starring Bryan Brown, Sam Neill, Greta Scacchi, Richard E Grant, Jacqueline McKenzie, Claire van der Boom, Aaron Jeffrey, Heather Mitchell and Matilda Brown, the film opened 3 per cent ahead of Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding, which finished with $5.2 million, and at the same level as Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab to Darwin,...
- 8/11/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Top End Wedding.’
Released in the slipstream of the Disney/Marvel Studios’ juggernaut Avengers: Endgame, Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding proved effective counter-programming last weekend.
The romantic comedy starring Miranda Tapsell, Gwilym Lee, Kerry Fox, Huw Higginson and Shari Sebbens wooed $1.1 million at 287 locations and $1.588 million with paid previews for Universal Pictures.
The opening was slightly behind that of Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab to Darwin’s $1.14 million, which finished with $7.4 million.
So, given the largely positive reviews and favourable word-of-mouth, the film co-written by Tapsell and Joshua Tyler and produced by Goalpost Pictures’ Rosemary Blight and Kylie du Fresne and Kojo’s Kate Croser could well reach $7 million.
The launch date was locked in before Universal took over eOne’s theatrical releases and before anyone knew the latest Marvel title would smash industry records in Australia and globally.
The superhero action adventure directed by the Russo brothers scored $13.6 million in Oz,...
Released in the slipstream of the Disney/Marvel Studios’ juggernaut Avengers: Endgame, Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding proved effective counter-programming last weekend.
The romantic comedy starring Miranda Tapsell, Gwilym Lee, Kerry Fox, Huw Higginson and Shari Sebbens wooed $1.1 million at 287 locations and $1.588 million with paid previews for Universal Pictures.
The opening was slightly behind that of Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab to Darwin’s $1.14 million, which finished with $7.4 million.
So, given the largely positive reviews and favourable word-of-mouth, the film co-written by Tapsell and Joshua Tyler and produced by Goalpost Pictures’ Rosemary Blight and Kylie du Fresne and Kojo’s Kate Croser could well reach $7 million.
The launch date was locked in before Universal took over eOne’s theatrical releases and before anyone knew the latest Marvel title would smash industry records in Australia and globally.
The superhero action adventure directed by the Russo brothers scored $13.6 million in Oz,...
- 5/6/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Jeremy Sims (L) with Sam Neill on the set of ‘Rams’ (Photo credit: Merlyn Moon).
Jeremy Sims was promoting his drama Last Cab to Darwin on the international film festival circuit in 2015 when he noticed Icelandic film Hrútar featured in nearly every program.
His curiosity piqued, he watched writer-director Grímur Hákonarson’s film – the tale of two warring brothers, both sheep farmers – at the Busan festival in Korea, and was hugely impressed. The same year it won best film at Un Certain Regard in Cannes.
So it was a fortuitous coincidence when one of the producers, Wbmc’s Aidan O’Bryan rang his agent earlier this year to ask if he would direct a re-imagining of the film entitled Rams after acquiring the adaptation rights.
Sims loved the screenplay by Western Australian-born writer Jules Duncan, which is a complete reinterpretation of the original, and readily accepted the offer. Produced by O’Bryan and Janelle Landers,...
Jeremy Sims was promoting his drama Last Cab to Darwin on the international film festival circuit in 2015 when he noticed Icelandic film Hrútar featured in nearly every program.
His curiosity piqued, he watched writer-director Grímur Hákonarson’s film – the tale of two warring brothers, both sheep farmers – at the Busan festival in Korea, and was hugely impressed. The same year it won best film at Un Certain Regard in Cannes.
So it was a fortuitous coincidence when one of the producers, Wbmc’s Aidan O’Bryan rang his agent earlier this year to ask if he would direct a re-imagining of the film entitled Rams after acquiring the adaptation rights.
Sims loved the screenplay by Western Australian-born writer Jules Duncan, which is a complete reinterpretation of the original, and readily accepted the offer. Produced by O’Bryan and Janelle Landers,...
- 10/22/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Michael Caton and Sam Neill (Photo: Merlyn Moon).
Production is underway in Western Australia on Wbmc’s Rams, directed by Jeremy Sims – an adaptation of Icelandic film Hrútar.
Leading the cast are Sam Neill and Michael Caton, who play two estranged brothers who live on adjourning sheep farms yet haven’t spoken in 40 years. When a rare disease threatens their flock, they have to work together to save their flock, their small town and their family’s legacy.
Also set to star are Wayne Blair, Leon Ford, Travis McMahon, Asher Keddie, Hayley McElhinney, Kipan Rothbury and newcomers Asher Yasbincek and Will McNeill.
Hrútar, from writer-director Grímur Hákonarson, won the Un Certain Regard Award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. However Rams – adapted by Wa screenwriter Jules Duncan – is promised to be “far from a ‘remake’” and a fresh interpretation of the film from an Australian perspective. It is shooting in Wa...
Production is underway in Western Australia on Wbmc’s Rams, directed by Jeremy Sims – an adaptation of Icelandic film Hrútar.
Leading the cast are Sam Neill and Michael Caton, who play two estranged brothers who live on adjourning sheep farms yet haven’t spoken in 40 years. When a rare disease threatens their flock, they have to work together to save their flock, their small town and their family’s legacy.
Also set to star are Wayne Blair, Leon Ford, Travis McMahon, Asher Keddie, Hayley McElhinney, Kipan Rothbury and newcomers Asher Yasbincek and Will McNeill.
Hrútar, from writer-director Grímur Hákonarson, won the Un Certain Regard Award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. However Rams – adapted by Wa screenwriter Jules Duncan – is promised to be “far from a ‘remake’” and a fresh interpretation of the film from an Australian perspective. It is shooting in Wa...
- 10/2/2018
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Sam Neill and Michael Caton will play estranged brothers and farmers forced to work together after a crisis hits their farms in comedy drama “Rams.” The project is an English-language adaptation of the Icelandic movie of the same name that won best film in Un Certain Regard at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Jeremy Sims will helm the picture, reuniting him with Caton (“The Castle”) after the pair worked together on “Last Cab to Darwin.”
The original picture was written and directed by Grimur Hakonarson. It was set and filmed in his native Iceland. Production started Monday on the Australia-set version, which is shooting in Western Australia’s Great Southern region. Sims said he is “excited to have the chance to take this elegant and powerful tale and set it in the place that I spent my summers growing up.”
The film follows two brothers on adjoining sheep farms, played by Neill (“Jurassic Park”) and Caton.
The original picture was written and directed by Grimur Hakonarson. It was set and filmed in his native Iceland. Production started Monday on the Australia-set version, which is shooting in Western Australia’s Great Southern region. Sims said he is “excited to have the chance to take this elegant and powerful tale and set it in the place that I spent my summers growing up.”
The film follows two brothers on adjoining sheep farms, played by Neill (“Jurassic Park”) and Caton.
- 10/1/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
South Australia is small, but it packs a punch.
According to data from Screen Australia’s most recent Drama Report, in the five financial years from 2012-13 to 2016-17, South Australia captured on average 5 per cent of drama production expenditure in Australia. However, the state’s output often ranks among the most country’s most notable.
In recent years, the South Australian Film Corporation (often alongside the Adelaide Film Festival) has supported feature films like Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale and The Babadook, Anthony Maras’ Hotel Mumbai, Yolanda Ramke and Ben Howling’s Cargo, Warwick Thornton’s Sweet Country and Samson and Delilah, Sophie Hyde’s 52 Tuesdays, Rosemary Myers’ Girl Asleep, Rolf de Heer’s Charlie’s Country, John Curran’s Tracks and Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab to Darwin. Upcoming Sa projects also include Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding and Shawn Seet’s reimagining of Storm Boy.
The...
According to data from Screen Australia’s most recent Drama Report, in the five financial years from 2012-13 to 2016-17, South Australia captured on average 5 per cent of drama production expenditure in Australia. However, the state’s output often ranks among the most country’s most notable.
In recent years, the South Australian Film Corporation (often alongside the Adelaide Film Festival) has supported feature films like Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale and The Babadook, Anthony Maras’ Hotel Mumbai, Yolanda Ramke and Ben Howling’s Cargo, Warwick Thornton’s Sweet Country and Samson and Delilah, Sophie Hyde’s 52 Tuesdays, Rosemary Myers’ Girl Asleep, Rolf de Heer’s Charlie’s Country, John Curran’s Tracks and Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab to Darwin. Upcoming Sa projects also include Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding and Shawn Seet’s reimagining of Storm Boy.
The...
- 9/25/2018
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Luke Bracey and Mel Gibson on the Bringelly set of 'Hacksaw Ridge'. (Photo credit: Mark Rogers)
This year's Oscars ceremony went off alright, but not without a hitch (or two).
During the In Memoriam section, a photo of Australian producer Jan Chapman (Love Serenade, Lantana, The Babadook) was shown next to the name of late costume designer Janet Patterson, with whom Chapman worked on several Jane Campion films including The Piano, Bright Star and Holy Smoke..
Patterson died in October last year. Her final film was Thomas Vinterberg's adaptation of Far From the Madding Crowd, starring Carey Mulligan and Matthias Schoenaerts..
.I was devastated by the use of my image in place of my great friend and long-time collaborator Janet Patterson," the still-very-much-breathing Chapman told Variety..
"I had urged her agency to check any photograph which might be used and understand that they were told that the Academy had it covered.
This year's Oscars ceremony went off alright, but not without a hitch (or two).
During the In Memoriam section, a photo of Australian producer Jan Chapman (Love Serenade, Lantana, The Babadook) was shown next to the name of late costume designer Janet Patterson, with whom Chapman worked on several Jane Campion films including The Piano, Bright Star and Holy Smoke..
Patterson died in October last year. Her final film was Thomas Vinterberg's adaptation of Far From the Madding Crowd, starring Carey Mulligan and Matthias Schoenaerts..
.I was devastated by the use of my image in place of my great friend and long-time collaborator Janet Patterson," the still-very-much-breathing Chapman told Variety..
"I had urged her agency to check any photograph which might be used and understand that they were told that the Academy had it covered.
- 2/27/2017
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
Wayne. .
Feature documentary Wayne, which follows the life story of former world motorcycle champion Wayne Gardner, has begun production.
The doco is helmed by Last Cab to Darwin.s Jeremy Sims, who wrote the screen treatment alongside producer Matthew Metcalfe (Dead Lands) of the General Film Corporation.
.I love the feature doc format, and I am excited to be bringing the thrilling and complex story of Wayne Gardner.s incredible journey to cinema goers," said Sims.
"It is a tale of speed, danger, love, adversity, dogged willpower and, eventually, triumph, all set in the heady days of Australia.s .coming of age. in the late 80s. I was there, and I.m aiming to take our audience there too..
Metcalfe said he knew Sims was the man for the job after watching Last Cab to Darwin at Tiff in 2015.
"I knew that Jeremy was the best person to approach to tell this story.
Feature documentary Wayne, which follows the life story of former world motorcycle champion Wayne Gardner, has begun production.
The doco is helmed by Last Cab to Darwin.s Jeremy Sims, who wrote the screen treatment alongside producer Matthew Metcalfe (Dead Lands) of the General Film Corporation.
.I love the feature doc format, and I am excited to be bringing the thrilling and complex story of Wayne Gardner.s incredible journey to cinema goers," said Sims.
"It is a tale of speed, danger, love, adversity, dogged willpower and, eventually, triumph, all set in the heady days of Australia.s .coming of age. in the late 80s. I was there, and I.m aiming to take our audience there too..
Metcalfe said he knew Sims was the man for the job after watching Last Cab to Darwin at Tiff in 2015.
"I knew that Jeremy was the best person to approach to tell this story.
- 2/23/2017
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Genre sales outfit has also struck a deal on Lemon Tree Passage to the Us.
Genre specialist sales agent Devilworks is ramping up its European Film Market (Efm) activity.
The company has boarded world sales on Red Christmas, Craig Anderson’s Australia horror-comedy which stars Dee Wallace (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial).
Wallace plays a mother who must protect her family who are tormented by a creepy stranger on Christmas day, the actress was also a producer on the project with Anderson. The film premiered at Sydney Film Festival, Fantasia and FrightFest.
Separately, Devilworks has struck a North American deal on its supernatural horror Lemon Tree Passage with Glass Pictures.
Starring Tim Pocock (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Jessica Tovey (Adore) and Andrew Ryan (Last Cab To Darwin), the film follows a group of young backpackers in Australia who discover that a legendary local ghost tale turns out to be true.
David Campbell directed the film and co-produced the screenplay...
Genre specialist sales agent Devilworks is ramping up its European Film Market (Efm) activity.
The company has boarded world sales on Red Christmas, Craig Anderson’s Australia horror-comedy which stars Dee Wallace (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial).
Wallace plays a mother who must protect her family who are tormented by a creepy stranger on Christmas day, the actress was also a producer on the project with Anderson. The film premiered at Sydney Film Festival, Fantasia and FrightFest.
Separately, Devilworks has struck a North American deal on its supernatural horror Lemon Tree Passage with Glass Pictures.
Starring Tim Pocock (X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Jessica Tovey (Adore) and Andrew Ryan (Last Cab To Darwin), the film follows a group of young backpackers in Australia who discover that a legendary local ghost tale turns out to be true.
David Campbell directed the film and co-produced the screenplay...
- 2/13/2017
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
Writer-director Sophie Mathisen didn.t tread the usual path in making her first film, Drama.
While studying for her Ma at London.s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Sophie was charged with making a short for her thesis..
Having had an idea .kicking around. her brain for years, Sophie pitched a feature instead. She locked herself away over eight days at Christmas to write a script, and enlisted her sister, Dominique, to be her producer.
The result was Drama, a .friendship romantic comedy. about a down-on-her-luck Aussie actor, Anna, living in London — played by Sophie. Still hung up on an ex, Anna travels to Paris to visit her best friend Jean (Jonathan Burtreaux). However the timing isn.t ideal: Jean is having issues with his own partner, Philippe (François Vincentelli).
The team was shooting eight months after the script was finished. The short time frame they had to...
While studying for her Ma at London.s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Sophie was charged with making a short for her thesis..
Having had an idea .kicking around. her brain for years, Sophie pitched a feature instead. She locked herself away over eight days at Christmas to write a script, and enlisted her sister, Dominique, to be her producer.
The result was Drama, a .friendship romantic comedy. about a down-on-her-luck Aussie actor, Anna, living in London — played by Sophie. Still hung up on an ex, Anna travels to Paris to visit her best friend Jean (Jonathan Burtreaux). However the timing isn.t ideal: Jean is having issues with his own partner, Philippe (François Vincentelli).
The team was shooting eight months after the script was finished. The short time frame they had to...
- 11/23/2016
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Richard Harris.
Screen Australia.s Head of Business and Audience, Richard Harris, talks to If about the year that.s been, what.s ahead and the risk of betting big on blockbusters alone..
How.s this year looking to you as compared to last year?.
Last year was pretty remarkable. One of the problems I have, and particularly after a big year like last year, is the kind of short-term-ism of trying to guess how things are performing. One of the things you get with a big year like last year or a really poor year the year before is [people say], everything.s terrible or everything.s great. We [Screen Australia] are looking at reporting things on a longer term basis. Last year, for example, we got great results that came through from The Water Diviner but it didn.t actually recognize that The Water Diviner had released over two years. It released after Boxing Day.
Screen Australia.s Head of Business and Audience, Richard Harris, talks to If about the year that.s been, what.s ahead and the risk of betting big on blockbusters alone..
How.s this year looking to you as compared to last year?.
Last year was pretty remarkable. One of the problems I have, and particularly after a big year like last year, is the kind of short-term-ism of trying to guess how things are performing. One of the things you get with a big year like last year or a really poor year the year before is [people say], everything.s terrible or everything.s great. We [Screen Australia] are looking at reporting things on a longer term basis. Last year, for example, we got great results that came through from The Water Diviner but it didn.t actually recognize that The Water Diviner had released over two years. It released after Boxing Day.
- 11/13/2016
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
Karen Radzyner.
Screen Nsw development and production executive Karen Radzyner is spearheading Screen Nsw.s new script development program, Amplifier. If gets the lowdown on how it differs from its predecessor.
Why the change from Aurora to Amplifier?
Amplifier will build on Aurora.s successes, this time with an individual focus on each project. We wanted to signal the change in the program to the industry. Giving it a new name and shape we hope will magnify Amplifier.s fresh approach.
What are the key differences?
The main difference is the bespoke nature of the program. Its defining factor is that it is customised to the individual projects. We will make the key decisions about how Amplifier: Adaptation can best nurture each project, only when we know those projects have been selected. In this way, we can work with the creative teams to make Screen Nsw's funding and relationships...
Screen Nsw development and production executive Karen Radzyner is spearheading Screen Nsw.s new script development program, Amplifier. If gets the lowdown on how it differs from its predecessor.
Why the change from Aurora to Amplifier?
Amplifier will build on Aurora.s successes, this time with an individual focus on each project. We wanted to signal the change in the program to the industry. Giving it a new name and shape we hope will magnify Amplifier.s fresh approach.
What are the key differences?
The main difference is the bespoke nature of the program. Its defining factor is that it is customised to the individual projects. We will make the key decisions about how Amplifier: Adaptation can best nurture each project, only when we know those projects have been selected. In this way, we can work with the creative teams to make Screen Nsw's funding and relationships...
- 8/7/2016
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
Reg Cribb.
Last Cab to Darwin scribe Reg Cribb is Dendy Direct's Guest Curator for August 2016.
Each month, Dendy Direct invites a guest curator to pick their favourite titles available via the VOD service, with No Activity's Patrick Brammall and The Rover's David Michôd two recent participants.
Cribb, who is currently working on a feature film adaptation of his play.The Damned, winner of the 2012 Nsw Premier.s Literary Award, said his choices were dictated by his upbringing on an isolated coastal town in Western Australia called Esperance.
.In the early 70.s, we had no TV infiltrating our lives. When I wasn.t reading voraciously, our whole family would pack up the Holden and visit one of the two drive-in theatres on the outskirts of town, at least three times a week. Many of the films I have chosen were devoured by me on the big screen at...
Last Cab to Darwin scribe Reg Cribb is Dendy Direct's Guest Curator for August 2016.
Each month, Dendy Direct invites a guest curator to pick their favourite titles available via the VOD service, with No Activity's Patrick Brammall and The Rover's David Michôd two recent participants.
Cribb, who is currently working on a feature film adaptation of his play.The Damned, winner of the 2012 Nsw Premier.s Literary Award, said his choices were dictated by his upbringing on an isolated coastal town in Western Australia called Esperance.
.In the early 70.s, we had no TV infiltrating our lives. When I wasn.t reading voraciously, our whole family would pack up the Holden and visit one of the two drive-in theatres on the outskirts of town, at least three times a week. Many of the films I have chosen were devoured by me on the big screen at...
- 8/1/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Ningali Lawford-Wolf and Michael Caton in Last Cab to Darwin.
Last Cab to Darwin is set to be released across the USA via Icon, starting in New York today, June 10, and rolling out across eight cities throughout June and July..
The Aacta-winning film starring Michael Caton screened on the closing night of the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January.
.I've spent the last 12 months being astounded by the universally positive and passionate response that Last Cab has engendered at festivals around the world," director Jeremy Sims said.
"The response to the genuinely Australian characters and situations we created has been one of recognition and affection. I'm hoping the film continues to build the scale of its audience for another 12 months."
Playdates so far include:
New York, NY
Cinema Village
Opens June 10, 2016
Los Angeles, CA
Laemmle Music Hall
Opens June 17, 2016
Boston, Ma
Landmark Kendall Square
Opens July 1, 2016
Santa Fe, Nm...
Last Cab to Darwin is set to be released across the USA via Icon, starting in New York today, June 10, and rolling out across eight cities throughout June and July..
The Aacta-winning film starring Michael Caton screened on the closing night of the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January.
.I've spent the last 12 months being astounded by the universally positive and passionate response that Last Cab has engendered at festivals around the world," director Jeremy Sims said.
"The response to the genuinely Australian characters and situations we created has been one of recognition and affection. I'm hoping the film continues to build the scale of its audience for another 12 months."
Playdates so far include:
New York, NY
Cinema Village
Opens June 10, 2016
Los Angeles, CA
Laemmle Music Hall
Opens June 17, 2016
Boston, Ma
Landmark Kendall Square
Opens July 1, 2016
Santa Fe, Nm...
- 6/10/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Screen Nsw CEO Courtney Gibson.
Screen Nsw has unveiled a new script development program for feature films, replacing the Aurora program.
Starting from this year, Amplifier will bring international mentors together with Nsw creative teams for tailored script development.
Amplifier is designed to provide direct pathways to the end market, and Screen Nsw has undertaken to "work with the teams for the entire life of the selected projects.".
.What.s unique about Amplifier is that we are not taking a one-size-fits-all approach", Screen Nsw CEO Courtney Gibson said. .
"Every feature film requires a different development and funding path and the structure of Amplifier reflects that, with a specific program developed for every film selected..
Screen Nsw will call for applicants for every two years and each Amplifier will have a theme or genre focus..
Applications are now open for the first program - Amplifier: Adaptation.
.We are taking a broad...
Screen Nsw has unveiled a new script development program for feature films, replacing the Aurora program.
Starting from this year, Amplifier will bring international mentors together with Nsw creative teams for tailored script development.
Amplifier is designed to provide direct pathways to the end market, and Screen Nsw has undertaken to "work with the teams for the entire life of the selected projects.".
.What.s unique about Amplifier is that we are not taking a one-size-fits-all approach", Screen Nsw CEO Courtney Gibson said. .
"Every feature film requires a different development and funding path and the structure of Amplifier reflects that, with a specific program developed for every film selected..
Screen Nsw will call for applicants for every two years and each Amplifier will have a theme or genre focus..
Applications are now open for the first program - Amplifier: Adaptation.
.We are taking a broad...
- 5/30/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Anupam Sharma’s cross cultural Australian comedy unINDIAN, featuring cricket star, Brett Lee and internationally acclaimed Indian actress, Tannishtha Chatterjee, will be screened in the Antipodes Festival at Cannes during Cannes Films Festival this May 2016, then in October 2016 during St Tropez Film Festival (https://issuu.com/michelolivier/docs/cannesantipodes2016__bd_). The film was produced with financial assistance from Screen Australia and Screen Nsw and major investment from Australia India Film Fund.
Opening with a world premiere at Montreal, unINDIAN continued to be screened at number of film festivals throughout Europe and America. The film opened across 70 screens in Australia, with Madman picking up ancilliary sales in Australia. The producers will be selling the film to various territories, particularly India, through their global sales agents, Yellow Affair at Cannes. Speaking from Cannes, Miira Paasillinna and Chris Howard from Yellow Affair said “We are delighted to be selling this warm and funny Australian film.
Opening with a world premiere at Montreal, unINDIAN continued to be screened at number of film festivals throughout Europe and America. The film opened across 70 screens in Australia, with Madman picking up ancilliary sales in Australia. The producers will be selling the film to various territories, particularly India, through their global sales agents, Yellow Affair at Cannes. Speaking from Cannes, Miira Paasillinna and Chris Howard from Yellow Affair said “We are delighted to be selling this warm and funny Australian film.
- 5/12/2016
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
(l-r) Meyne Wyatt, Sean Keenan, Chloe Bayliss, Sara West, Shareena Clanton, Georgia Flood, Harley Bonner.
The 2016 nominees for the annual Heath Ledger Scholarship were unveiled last night in Sydney.
The finalists include Christian Antidormi (Spartacus: War of the Damned, Home and Away), Mojean Aria (The Bronx Bull), Natasha Bassett (Hail, Caesar!), Chloe Bayliss (Backtrack), Harley Bonner (Neighbours), Shareena Clanton (Last Cab to Darwin), Ashleigh Cummings (Tomorrow When the War Began, Puberty Blues), Georgia Flood (Home and Away), Sean Keenan (Strangerland), Uli Latukefu (upcoming Alien: Covenant), Sara West (Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door, The Daughter) and Meyne Wyatt (Neighbours, Strangerland, The Sapphires)..
Heath.s father, Kim Ledger said, "Australian's in Film have encouraged another wonderful group of applicants for the Heath Ledger Scholarship in 2016. I would like to thank all of them, including Matilda and the team at AiF, and further congratulate those excellent aspirants who have managed to...
The 2016 nominees for the annual Heath Ledger Scholarship were unveiled last night in Sydney.
The finalists include Christian Antidormi (Spartacus: War of the Damned, Home and Away), Mojean Aria (The Bronx Bull), Natasha Bassett (Hail, Caesar!), Chloe Bayliss (Backtrack), Harley Bonner (Neighbours), Shareena Clanton (Last Cab to Darwin), Ashleigh Cummings (Tomorrow When the War Began, Puberty Blues), Georgia Flood (Home and Away), Sean Keenan (Strangerland), Uli Latukefu (upcoming Alien: Covenant), Sara West (Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door, The Daughter) and Meyne Wyatt (Neighbours, Strangerland, The Sapphires)..
Heath.s father, Kim Ledger said, "Australian's in Film have encouraged another wonderful group of applicants for the Heath Ledger Scholarship in 2016. I would like to thank all of them, including Matilda and the team at AiF, and further congratulate those excellent aspirants who have managed to...
- 5/11/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
This year's Independent Cinemas Association of Australia, at Melbourne's Palace Cinemas Como, wraps up this afternoon after three days of presentations from distributors, projection specialists and independent cinema owners themselves.
Below is an edited transcript of Icaa.CEO Adrianne Pecotic's opening address.
The impact of technology on media and entertainment businesses has been, and continues to be, profound. Three years ago we were here at this theatre in Melbourne celebrating the power of digital, and the certainty that the majority of independent exhibitors in Australia and New Zealand were going to be able to convert from analog technology with the hard-won backing of the distributors, and the support of technical service providers and the Network Operations Centre.
This was a revolutionary moment for every exhibitor that today seems a normal part of day to day operations. That is innovation for you — last years .brand new tech. becomes .must have. and...
Below is an edited transcript of Icaa.CEO Adrianne Pecotic's opening address.
The impact of technology on media and entertainment businesses has been, and continues to be, profound. Three years ago we were here at this theatre in Melbourne celebrating the power of digital, and the certainty that the majority of independent exhibitors in Australia and New Zealand were going to be able to convert from analog technology with the hard-won backing of the distributors, and the support of technical service providers and the Network Operations Centre.
This was a revolutionary moment for every exhibitor that today seems a normal part of day to day operations. That is innovation for you — last years .brand new tech. becomes .must have. and...
- 5/5/2016
- by Adrianne Pecotic
- IF.com.au
The annual Independent Cinemas Association of Australia wraps up today, after three days of presentations from distributors, projection specialists and independent cinema owners themselves. Below is an edited transcript of Icaa.CEO Adrianne Pecotic's opening address.
The impact of technology on media and entertainment businesses has been, and continues to be, profound. Three years ago we were here at this theatre in Melbourne celebrating the The Power of Digital and the certainty that the majority of independent exhibitors in Australia and New Zealand were going to be able to convert from analog technology with the hard-won backing of the distributors and the support of technical service providers and the Network Operations Centre.
This was a revolutionary moment for every exhibitor that today seems a normal part of day to day operations. That is innovation for you — last years .brand new tech. becomes .must have. and then common place in an increasingly fast timeframe.
The impact of technology on media and entertainment businesses has been, and continues to be, profound. Three years ago we were here at this theatre in Melbourne celebrating the The Power of Digital and the certainty that the majority of independent exhibitors in Australia and New Zealand were going to be able to convert from analog technology with the hard-won backing of the distributors and the support of technical service providers and the Network Operations Centre.
This was a revolutionary moment for every exhibitor that today seems a normal part of day to day operations. That is innovation for you — last years .brand new tech. becomes .must have. and then common place in an increasingly fast timeframe.
- 5/5/2016
- by Adrianne Pecotic
- IF.com.au
. . . . . . .
Shana Levine.
.
Screen Australia has appointed Lisa Duff and Shana Levine as investment managers on its production team.
Prior to the appointment, Duff been an Investment development manager in the documentary unit for more than a year, where she has managed a large slate of projects and provided advice to filmmakers seeking funding..
Duff was also a producer on Last Cab to Darwin.
Levine has been a member of the Screen Australia Legal team, having held the position of senior lawyer at Screen Australia for more than five years..
During this time, Levine has earned Screen Australia a long list of credits on complex film and TV investment deals, according to a Screen Australia statement..
Levine has also produced Charlie & Boots.
In their new roles, Duff and Levine will report to Sally Caplan, Screen Australia.s Head of Production.
Lisa Duff.
Caplan said: .Lisa and Shana were the outstanding candidates.
Shana Levine.
.
Screen Australia has appointed Lisa Duff and Shana Levine as investment managers on its production team.
Prior to the appointment, Duff been an Investment development manager in the documentary unit for more than a year, where she has managed a large slate of projects and provided advice to filmmakers seeking funding..
Duff was also a producer on Last Cab to Darwin.
Levine has been a member of the Screen Australia Legal team, having held the position of senior lawyer at Screen Australia for more than five years..
During this time, Levine has earned Screen Australia a long list of credits on complex film and TV investment deals, according to a Screen Australia statement..
Levine has also produced Charlie & Boots.
In their new roles, Duff and Levine will report to Sally Caplan, Screen Australia.s Head of Production.
Lisa Duff.
Caplan said: .Lisa and Shana were the outstanding candidates.
- 5/3/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Watch the stars of Pawno celebrate the opening night at The Sun Theatre.
.
Australian feature Pawno has opened to postive reviews and a healthy box office.
The film, directed/produced by Paul Ireland and written/produced by Damian Hill, opened nationally on April 21 and achieved $3,120 per showing on 19 screens over the Anzac Day long weekend.
The character driven ensemble, set in the diverse and mulicultural Melbourne suburbe of Footscray, recorded particularly strong results at The Sun in Yarraville, Melbourne, where the film opened to a gala premiere.
Ireland, Hill, and key cast members including Kerry Armstrong (Lantana), Tony Rickards (Holding The Man) and Mark Coles Smith (Last Cab to Darwin), walked the red carpet before guests packed out four sold-out sessions..
Australian actors Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under), Damian Walshe Howling, film industry figure Steve Vizard, and Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley were among the audience attending.
Hill...
.
Australian feature Pawno has opened to postive reviews and a healthy box office.
The film, directed/produced by Paul Ireland and written/produced by Damian Hill, opened nationally on April 21 and achieved $3,120 per showing on 19 screens over the Anzac Day long weekend.
The character driven ensemble, set in the diverse and mulicultural Melbourne suburbe of Footscray, recorded particularly strong results at The Sun in Yarraville, Melbourne, where the film opened to a gala premiere.
Ireland, Hill, and key cast members including Kerry Armstrong (Lantana), Tony Rickards (Holding The Man) and Mark Coles Smith (Last Cab to Darwin), walked the red carpet before guests packed out four sold-out sessions..
Australian actors Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under), Damian Walshe Howling, film industry figure Steve Vizard, and Victorian Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley were among the audience attending.
Hill...
- 4/26/2016
- by Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
Alex Russell and Aaron Pedersen in Ivan Sen's Goldstone.
When If speaks to Sydney Film Festival director Nashen Moodley, he's at the tail-end of a whirlwind day in which Ivan Sen's.Goldstone was unveiled as the festival's opening night film, to screen at Sydney's State Theatre on June 8..
So what's the reaction been like?
"So far it's been very positive," Moodley said..
"People are very eager to see Ivan Sen's new film. He's such a special filmmaker, and such a multi-talented one. He writes, directs, edits, composes the score, and has such an incredible body of work."
Moodley saw the film almost seven weeks ago, in early March, just after Sen had finished it.
"There was an opportunity to see an early cut, but we had enough time to see it when it was finished, so we waited."
"The film looks incredible, and he shot it himself...
When If speaks to Sydney Film Festival director Nashen Moodley, he's at the tail-end of a whirlwind day in which Ivan Sen's.Goldstone was unveiled as the festival's opening night film, to screen at Sydney's State Theatre on June 8..
So what's the reaction been like?
"So far it's been very positive," Moodley said..
"People are very eager to see Ivan Sen's new film. He's such a special filmmaker, and such a multi-talented one. He writes, directs, edits, composes the score, and has such an incredible body of work."
Moodley saw the film almost seven weeks ago, in early March, just after Sen had finished it.
"There was an opportunity to see an early cut, but we had enough time to see it when it was finished, so we waited."
"The film looks incredible, and he shot it himself...
- 4/26/2016
- by Harry Windsor
- IF.com.au
Adg awards nominee Jennifer Peedom.
More than a third of nominees for this year's Australian Directors Guild awards are women.
Two of the four nominees in the Best Direction in a Feature Film category are women and all five films in the Best Documentary Feature category were directed or co-directed by female filmmakers, the Adg said in a statement..
The 2016 awards will be presented across sixteen categories including film, television, animation, multiplatform, music and advertising..
The nominees for Best Direction in a Feature Film are Sue Brooks for Looking for Grace, Jocelyn Moorhouse for The Dressmaker, Bentley Dean and Martin Butler for Tanna and Jeremy Sims for Last Cab to Darwin.
This year there are five nominations for Best Feature Documentary: Nick Bird and Eleanor Sharpe for Remembering The Man, Jennifer Peedom for Sherpa, Margot Nash for The Silences, Stefan Moore and Susan Lambert for Tyke Elephant Outlaw and Lisa Nicol for Wide Open Sky.
More than a third of nominees for this year's Australian Directors Guild awards are women.
Two of the four nominees in the Best Direction in a Feature Film category are women and all five films in the Best Documentary Feature category were directed or co-directed by female filmmakers, the Adg said in a statement..
The 2016 awards will be presented across sixteen categories including film, television, animation, multiplatform, music and advertising..
The nominees for Best Direction in a Feature Film are Sue Brooks for Looking for Grace, Jocelyn Moorhouse for The Dressmaker, Bentley Dean and Martin Butler for Tanna and Jeremy Sims for Last Cab to Darwin.
This year there are five nominations for Best Feature Documentary: Nick Bird and Eleanor Sharpe for Remembering The Man, Jennifer Peedom for Sherpa, Margot Nash for The Silences, Stefan Moore and Susan Lambert for Tyke Elephant Outlaw and Lisa Nicol for Wide Open Sky.
- 4/12/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
.
The revmaped State Cinemat in North Hobart.
.
The State Cinema in North Hobart was established in 1913 and is one of the oldest cinemas in Australia — yet there.s no popcorn..
It is also open every day of the year yet there.s no post-mix either, or Marvel films or flashing lights as you wander in.
The State Cinema in North Hobart was established in 1913 and is one of the oldest cinemas in Australia — yet there.s no popcorn..
It is also open every day of the year yet there.s no post-mix either, or Marvel films or flashing lights as you wander in.
But that was not always the case. The iconic venue has undergone a transformation that has taken it from a government-owned operation taking 20,000 admissions a year to one which now takes more than 250,000 annually.
It had been run by the Australian Film Institute after it was purchased...
The revmaped State Cinemat in North Hobart.
.
The State Cinema in North Hobart was established in 1913 and is one of the oldest cinemas in Australia — yet there.s no popcorn..
It is also open every day of the year yet there.s no post-mix either, or Marvel films or flashing lights as you wander in.
The State Cinema in North Hobart was established in 1913 and is one of the oldest cinemas in Australia — yet there.s no popcorn..
It is also open every day of the year yet there.s no post-mix either, or Marvel films or flashing lights as you wander in.
But that was not always the case. The iconic venue has undergone a transformation that has taken it from a government-owned operation taking 20,000 admissions a year to one which now takes more than 250,000 annually.
It had been run by the Australian Film Institute after it was purchased...
- 4/11/2016
- by Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
Reg Cribb.
.
Playwright and screenwriter Reg Cribb is set to share his career highlights and talk about his current projects at a Screenworks event in Byron Bay.
Cribb, who recently won the Aacta award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his film adaptation of Last Cab to Darwin, will spend an evening .In Conversation. with local screenwriter and script editor Charlie de Salis at Sae Creative Institute on April 14.
Cribb will also talk about two projects he is currently working on in the Northern Rivers. .
Screenworks general manager, Ken Crouch, said there were many people in the community that would benefit from an evening with Reg Cribb.
.His numerous box office hits on stage and screen are evidence of how much Australian audiences love his work and we are very fortunate to have this talented writer take the time to talk with us about his craft and his career,. he said.
.
Playwright and screenwriter Reg Cribb is set to share his career highlights and talk about his current projects at a Screenworks event in Byron Bay.
Cribb, who recently won the Aacta award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his film adaptation of Last Cab to Darwin, will spend an evening .In Conversation. with local screenwriter and script editor Charlie de Salis at Sae Creative Institute on April 14.
Cribb will also talk about two projects he is currently working on in the Northern Rivers. .
Screenworks general manager, Ken Crouch, said there were many people in the community that would benefit from an evening with Reg Cribb.
.His numerous box office hits on stage and screen are evidence of how much Australian audiences love his work and we are very fortunate to have this talented writer take the time to talk with us about his craft and his career,. he said.
- 3/31/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz will reunite to host a special screening of independent Australian feature Pawno.
The screening, .at Sydney.s Chauvel Cinema on April 12, will see Pomeranz and Stratton join in a Q&A with the key talent of the new Australian comic drama film from first time director Paul Ireland, which Pomeranz describes as .a bolt from the blue..
.I love this film, loved it, loved it,. she said.
Pawno is produced by Paul Ireland and Damian Hills. Toothless Pictures and distributed by Mind Blowing World. It opens across 20 screens nationally on April 21..
Joining Margaret and David onstage will be director Paul Ireland, Pawno screenwriter and actor Damian Hill, beloved Australian veteran actors John Brumpton and Kerry Armstrong, and other key cast members..
The character-driven ensemble film takes place in a dusty old pawnbroker.s, where world-weary owner Les Underwood (John Brumpton) watches as the lives of...
The screening, .at Sydney.s Chauvel Cinema on April 12, will see Pomeranz and Stratton join in a Q&A with the key talent of the new Australian comic drama film from first time director Paul Ireland, which Pomeranz describes as .a bolt from the blue..
.I love this film, loved it, loved it,. she said.
Pawno is produced by Paul Ireland and Damian Hills. Toothless Pictures and distributed by Mind Blowing World. It opens across 20 screens nationally on April 21..
Joining Margaret and David onstage will be director Paul Ireland, Pawno screenwriter and actor Damian Hill, beloved Australian veteran actors John Brumpton and Kerry Armstrong, and other key cast members..
The character-driven ensemble film takes place in a dusty old pawnbroker.s, where world-weary owner Les Underwood (John Brumpton) watches as the lives of...
- 3/31/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
(l-r) Marc Furmie, Enzo Tedeschi, Dan Mor, Igor Breakenback.
Online sci-fi series Airlock,.starring Mark Coles Smith (Last Cab to Darwin) and Dan Mor (Arrowhead), will premiere in Australia on the SyFy Channel next month.
Premiering as a telemovie, Airlock is the work of creator-producer Enzo Tedeschi and director Marc Furmie (Terminus), and is about "a drifting derelict spaceship [which] docks with an isolated space station". .
"Inside is a dead crew and a band of stowaway refugees. Tasked with the investigation, security officer Jonah Ashbrook (Mark Coles Smith) is thrown headlong into a series of events that will turn life on the station into a life or death crisis".
It stars Dwaine Stevenson (Infini) as well as Kristy Best and was funded by Screen Australia through the Multi-platform Drama program..
Tedeschi's Deadhouse Films appointed Rockzeline as the international sales agent, and Rockzeline has sold the series to Studio Plus (CanalPlay International...
Online sci-fi series Airlock,.starring Mark Coles Smith (Last Cab to Darwin) and Dan Mor (Arrowhead), will premiere in Australia on the SyFy Channel next month.
Premiering as a telemovie, Airlock is the work of creator-producer Enzo Tedeschi and director Marc Furmie (Terminus), and is about "a drifting derelict spaceship [which] docks with an isolated space station". .
"Inside is a dead crew and a band of stowaway refugees. Tasked with the investigation, security officer Jonah Ashbrook (Mark Coles Smith) is thrown headlong into a series of events that will turn life on the station into a life or death crisis".
It stars Dwaine Stevenson (Infini) as well as Kristy Best and was funded by Screen Australia through the Multi-platform Drama program..
Tedeschi's Deadhouse Films appointed Rockzeline as the international sales agent, and Rockzeline has sold the series to Studio Plus (CanalPlay International...
- 3/29/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Rising stars Mark Coles Smith and Genna Hayes will screen their short film, Wurinyan, as part of Cannes' Festival Corner..
Shot entirely in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, the short, which runs at 34 minutes, also stars Christine Anu, Rarriwuy Hick and Peter Mochrie.
Wurinyan was directed by Hayes, executive produced by John McGrath and Paul Ralph and shot by Dop Rupert Brown.
Hayes, who has just returned from South America after starring in Venezuelan thriller Infection, said she was excited to share this Australian story with an international audience..
.This was a passion project for many of us involved, and to access a global audience at the most prestigious film festival in the world and spread awareness about these issues is incredible,. she said..
Last Cab to Darwin's Coles Smith said he was drawn to the project "as it not only raises awareness about important social issues, but also offers hope...
Shot entirely in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, the short, which runs at 34 minutes, also stars Christine Anu, Rarriwuy Hick and Peter Mochrie.
Wurinyan was directed by Hayes, executive produced by John McGrath and Paul Ralph and shot by Dop Rupert Brown.
Hayes, who has just returned from South America after starring in Venezuelan thriller Infection, said she was excited to share this Australian story with an international audience..
.This was a passion project for many of us involved, and to access a global audience at the most prestigious film festival in the world and spread awareness about these issues is incredible,. she said..
Last Cab to Darwin's Coles Smith said he was drawn to the project "as it not only raises awareness about important social issues, but also offers hope...
- 3/14/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Pawno, the debut film of director Paul Ireland which premiered at last year's Miff, will open in cinemas nationally on April 21..
Set in Footscray, Melbourne, the film's cast includes Pawno screenwriter Damian Hill, John Brumpton (Romper Stomper), Kerry Armstrong (Lantana), Tony Rickards (Holding The Man), Maeve Dermody (Griff the Invisible) and Mark Coles Smith (Last Cab to Darwin).
Brumpton plays Les Underwood, the proprietor of an old pawnbroker's shop..
Produced by Paul Ireland and Damian Hills. production company Toothless Pictures, the privately financed feature was shot in Barkly Street, Footscray..
The soundtrack features Tom Waits, Vance Joy, hip-hop group Astronomy Class and Chris Saray..
After premiering it Miff, Pawno premiered internationally at the Black Nights Festival in Tallinn, Estonia.
It has also screened at the Singapore Film Festival and Cinefest Oz in Western Australia.
Pawno is the first feature film to be distributed by the new production and distribution company Mind Blowing World,...
Set in Footscray, Melbourne, the film's cast includes Pawno screenwriter Damian Hill, John Brumpton (Romper Stomper), Kerry Armstrong (Lantana), Tony Rickards (Holding The Man), Maeve Dermody (Griff the Invisible) and Mark Coles Smith (Last Cab to Darwin).
Brumpton plays Les Underwood, the proprietor of an old pawnbroker's shop..
Produced by Paul Ireland and Damian Hills. production company Toothless Pictures, the privately financed feature was shot in Barkly Street, Footscray..
The soundtrack features Tom Waits, Vance Joy, hip-hop group Astronomy Class and Chris Saray..
After premiering it Miff, Pawno premiered internationally at the Black Nights Festival in Tallinn, Estonia.
It has also screened at the Singapore Film Festival and Cinefest Oz in Western Australia.
Pawno is the first feature film to be distributed by the new production and distribution company Mind Blowing World,...
- 3/9/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Steve Le Marquand in Broke.
The 14th annual Gold Coast Film Festival will screen Australian features Spear, Broke, A Month of Sundays, Girl Asleep, Crushed, Observance and The Hunters Club, and play host to guests including Reg Cribb, David Stratton, Claudia Karvan and Gracie Otto.
Director Stephen Page will also make his debut at the fest..
Page and his leading man (and son) Hunter Page-Lochard, star of the upcoming ABC-tv series Cleverman, will attend a screening of Spear, followed by a Q&A session.
The team behind Broke - director Heath Davis, producer Luke Graham and actors Steve Le Marquand and Max Cullen - will attend the film's Queensland premiere.
The film follows the story of disgraced rugby league star and gambling addict, Ben .Bk. Kelly, who attempts to turn his life around with the support of his two biggest fans..
Writer Reg Cribb (Last Cab to Darwin) will attend...
The 14th annual Gold Coast Film Festival will screen Australian features Spear, Broke, A Month of Sundays, Girl Asleep, Crushed, Observance and The Hunters Club, and play host to guests including Reg Cribb, David Stratton, Claudia Karvan and Gracie Otto.
Director Stephen Page will also make his debut at the fest..
Page and his leading man (and son) Hunter Page-Lochard, star of the upcoming ABC-tv series Cleverman, will attend a screening of Spear, followed by a Q&A session.
The team behind Broke - director Heath Davis, producer Luke Graham and actors Steve Le Marquand and Max Cullen - will attend the film's Queensland premiere.
The film follows the story of disgraced rugby league star and gambling addict, Ben .Bk. Kelly, who attempts to turn his life around with the support of his two biggest fans..
Writer Reg Cribb (Last Cab to Darwin) will attend...
- 3/7/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Streaming service Presto will soon be home to 44 of the top grossing films of 2015, according to a company statement.
Of the top 100 grossing movies from 2015, Presto will stream films including Jurassic World, Minions, Pitch Perfect 2, Daddy.s Home, The Dressmaker, Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation, Ted 2, Last Cab to Darwin, Miss You Already, Carol, The Visit, Straight Outta Compton, Terminator: Genisys, Trainwreck and many more..
Presto claims its sweep of the top grossing movies of 2015, arriving on the service in 2016, exceeds that of both competitors Stan and Netflix combined...
The streaming service is already screening a number of last year.s box office hits including: Fast & Furious 7, Pitch Perfect 2, The Theory of Everything, Fifty Shades of Grey, Still Alice, Chappie, I, Frankenstein, The Shaun the Sheep Movie, Dumb and Dumber To and The Wedding Ringer..
Presto TV chief executive, Shaun James, said, Presto was the only Svod...
Of the top 100 grossing movies from 2015, Presto will stream films including Jurassic World, Minions, Pitch Perfect 2, Daddy.s Home, The Dressmaker, Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation, Ted 2, Last Cab to Darwin, Miss You Already, Carol, The Visit, Straight Outta Compton, Terminator: Genisys, Trainwreck and many more..
Presto claims its sweep of the top grossing movies of 2015, arriving on the service in 2016, exceeds that of both competitors Stan and Netflix combined...
The streaming service is already screening a number of last year.s box office hits including: Fast & Furious 7, Pitch Perfect 2, The Theory of Everything, Fifty Shades of Grey, Still Alice, Chappie, I, Frankenstein, The Shaun the Sheep Movie, Dumb and Dumber To and The Wedding Ringer..
Presto TV chief executive, Shaun James, said, Presto was the only Svod...
- 3/4/2016
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
Kate Winslet in The Dressmaker.
The Film Critics Circle of Australia, the national body of film reviewers, critics and writers, has unveiled the nominations for their annual awards.
The Dressmaker has garnered ten nominations while Last Cab to Darwin and Mad Max: Fury Road each received eight nominations..
Neil Armfield's Holding the Man earned seven nominations, Paper Planes and Cut Snake each have five, while Tanna received four.
"The spread of nominees from heralded blockbusters to small-scale independents highlights the diversity of Australian cinema", Fcca President Russell Edwards said..
"As the country's most important critical body looking at movies, we at the Film Critics Circle of Australia are pleased to be able to not only salute the box office, but also celebrate the innovative spirit"..
The nominees for best director are Neil Armfield, George Miller, Jocelyn Moorhouse and Jeremy Sims..
Nicole Kidman (Strangerland), Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road...
The Film Critics Circle of Australia, the national body of film reviewers, critics and writers, has unveiled the nominations for their annual awards.
The Dressmaker has garnered ten nominations while Last Cab to Darwin and Mad Max: Fury Road each received eight nominations..
Neil Armfield's Holding the Man earned seven nominations, Paper Planes and Cut Snake each have five, while Tanna received four.
"The spread of nominees from heralded blockbusters to small-scale independents highlights the diversity of Australian cinema", Fcca President Russell Edwards said..
"As the country's most important critical body looking at movies, we at the Film Critics Circle of Australia are pleased to be able to not only salute the box office, but also celebrate the innovative spirit"..
The nominees for best director are Neil Armfield, George Miller, Jocelyn Moorhouse and Jeremy Sims..
Nicole Kidman (Strangerland), Charlize Theron (Mad Max: Fury Road...
- 2/1/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Top: Fayssal Bazzi as D-mac, Rahel Romahn as Nick, Michael Denkha as Ibrahim and Lincoln Younes as Hassim
Bottom: Damon Herriman as Jason, Justin Rosniak as Ditch, Alexander England as Shit-stick and Chris Bunton as Evan
Photographer credit: David Dare Parker
.
Abe Forsythe's black comedy Down Under is set to hit Australian cinemas on August 4.
Distributed by StudioCanal, the film is a black comedy set during the aftermath of the Cronulla riots.
As Forsythe's second feature, it is the story of two carloads of hotheads from both sides of the fight destined to collide..
Sincere, though misguided, intent gives way to farcical ineptitude as this hilarious yet poignant story of ignorance, fear and kebab-cravings unfolds, and what was meant to be a retaliation mission turns into something neither side could have imagined.
During the shoot, Forsythe told If the narrative mined comedy through the heavy drama.
.The humour turns...
Bottom: Damon Herriman as Jason, Justin Rosniak as Ditch, Alexander England as Shit-stick and Chris Bunton as Evan
Photographer credit: David Dare Parker
.
Abe Forsythe's black comedy Down Under is set to hit Australian cinemas on August 4.
Distributed by StudioCanal, the film is a black comedy set during the aftermath of the Cronulla riots.
As Forsythe's second feature, it is the story of two carloads of hotheads from both sides of the fight destined to collide..
Sincere, though misguided, intent gives way to farcical ineptitude as this hilarious yet poignant story of ignorance, fear and kebab-cravings unfolds, and what was meant to be a retaliation mission turns into something neither side could have imagined.
During the shoot, Forsythe told If the narrative mined comedy through the heavy drama.
.The humour turns...
- 1/15/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Radha Mitchell and Odessa Young in Looking for Grace
The Independent Cinemas Association of Australia has launched 'My Cinema Select', which aims to increase audience access to limited release Australian and independent films in regional areas.
Palace's Looking for Grace and Transmission's Brooklyn will be the first two films to participate in the program..
.Lower marketing budgets and limited release patterns often restrict regional audience access to quality features until well after they are available in metropolitan areas - if they are released in regional cinemas at all", Icaa CEO Adrianne Pecotic said. "My Cinema Select will enable a series of preview screenings giving audiences the opportunity to see these films at or before release, and give our industry the ability to both promote and assess the appetite for a wider release of more diverse films and documentaries to discerning audiences throughout Australia..
My Cinema Select will build on the...
The Independent Cinemas Association of Australia has launched 'My Cinema Select', which aims to increase audience access to limited release Australian and independent films in regional areas.
Palace's Looking for Grace and Transmission's Brooklyn will be the first two films to participate in the program..
.Lower marketing budgets and limited release patterns often restrict regional audience access to quality features until well after they are available in metropolitan areas - if they are released in regional cinemas at all", Icaa CEO Adrianne Pecotic said. "My Cinema Select will enable a series of preview screenings giving audiences the opportunity to see these films at or before release, and give our industry the ability to both promote and assess the appetite for a wider release of more diverse films and documentaries to discerning audiences throughout Australia..
My Cinema Select will build on the...
- 1/10/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
The 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) will launch on Friday, January 1 with Klaus Härö’s Golden Globe-nominated and Academy Award-shortlisted "The Fencer." The Festival’s closing night film will then screen on Sunday, January 10 with the U.S. premiere of "Last Cab to Darwin," directed by Jeremy Sims. The Festival announced its complete lineup of films including Talking Pictures, Special Presentations and additional programming. A total of 176 films will screen in this year’s festival from January 1-11.
“Bookending the festival are two films from opposite sides of the globe, both of which promise an emotionally stirring film-going experience,” said Artistic Director Helen du Toit. “'The Fencer' is the ideal opener for Palm Springs – not just because it is a beautifully made film, and a crowd-pleaser, but also because Finnish director Klaus Härö has become a festival favorite over the years. We are equally excited to be wrapping the festival with the Us premiere of Jeremy Sims’ 'Last Cab to Darwin,' a road movie/comedy set in the Australian outback and featuring the irresistible Michael Caton as a man who, while trying to expedite his own demise, finally learns how to live.”
Opening and Closing Screenings
Opening night title "The Fencer" is a Golden Globe nominee for Best Foreign Language Film and Finland’s Best Foreign Language Oscar® submission. The film is about a young fencer in the early 1950s who, while hiding from the Russian secret police, becomes a physical education teacher in an Estonian village. His after-school sporting club brings inspiration to students and teacher alike, but the past catches up and faces him with a difficult choice.
The Festival will close with the U.S. premiere of "Last Cab to Darwin" directed by Jeremy Sims. In this warm-hearted road movie Rex is a loner, and when he’s told he doesn’t have long to live, he embarks on an epic drive through the Australian outback from Broken Hill to Darwin to die on his own terms. But his journey reveals to him that before you can end your life, you have to live it, and to live it, you've got to share it. The film stars Michael Caton and Jackie Weaver.
Talking Pictures
Every year, the Festival presents a series of special programs devoted to exploring the careers and creative choices of the top talents in the world of cinema, including Oscar®-caliber actors and directors in conversation with leading entertainment journalists. Each program includes a film screening and an on-stage conversation.
Golden Globe nominee Lily Tomlin will attend the screening of Sony Pictures Classics’ "Grandma" and participate in an on-stage interview immediately following, presented by Tribeca Short List. Elle Reid has just gotten through breaking up with her girlfriend when her granddaughter Sage unexpectedly shows up needing 600 dollars before sundown. Temporarily broke, Grandma Elle and Sage spend the day trying to get their hands on the cash and their unannounced visits to old friends and flames end up rattling skeletons and digging up secrets.
Director Asif Kapadia will attend the screening of his documentary "Amy," a sympathetic and revealing portrait of Amy Winehouse which employs the singer’s own candid footage and creative visualizations of her lyrics to illuminate the story of her all-too-short life and career.
“The Talking Pictures program creates once in a lifetime opportunities for audiences to hear directly from some of the year’s hottest Oscar ®contenders — and this year is no exception,” said Festival Director Darryl Macdonald. “Golden Globe nominee Lily Tomlin will discuss her widely acclaimed work in 'Grandma' following the film’s screening; and director Asif Kapadia will join us to unpack his heartbreaking, intimate documentary 'Amy.' ”
Special Presentations
The Festival will hold three special presentations. Golden Globe-nominated "The Brand New Testament," which is also the Best Foreign Language Oscar submission from Belgium, directed by Jaco Van Dormael and starring Pili Groyne, Benoit Poelvoorde and Catherine Deneuve. The film is a high-concept satire in which God accidentally sets off a panic after his disgruntled daughter leaks the apocalyptic plans stored on his computer. The U.S. premiere of "Eye in the Sky," directed by Gavin Hood and starring Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman and Aaron Paul, is a thriller set in the world of remotely piloted aircraft warfare. "The Revenant," directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as frontiersman Hugh Glass, is nominated for three Golden Globe awards including Best Picture-Drama, Best Actor-Drama and Best Director.
Dinner and a Movie
The festival will screen the documentary "Cooking Up a Tribute," directed by Luis Gonzalez and Andrea Góme, as part of its Dinner & a Movie program. The film follows famed restaurateurs Josep, Jordi and Joan Roca as they take their renowned El Celler de Can Roca on the road, exploring and incorporating the native cuisines of Mexico, Colombia and Peru in their cooking. And the screening will be followed by a dinner at Mr. Lyons restaurant with a menu by chef Tara Lazar and Masterchef finalist Stephen Lee...
“Bookending the festival are two films from opposite sides of the globe, both of which promise an emotionally stirring film-going experience,” said Artistic Director Helen du Toit. “'The Fencer' is the ideal opener for Palm Springs – not just because it is a beautifully made film, and a crowd-pleaser, but also because Finnish director Klaus Härö has become a festival favorite over the years. We are equally excited to be wrapping the festival with the Us premiere of Jeremy Sims’ 'Last Cab to Darwin,' a road movie/comedy set in the Australian outback and featuring the irresistible Michael Caton as a man who, while trying to expedite his own demise, finally learns how to live.”
Opening and Closing Screenings
Opening night title "The Fencer" is a Golden Globe nominee for Best Foreign Language Film and Finland’s Best Foreign Language Oscar® submission. The film is about a young fencer in the early 1950s who, while hiding from the Russian secret police, becomes a physical education teacher in an Estonian village. His after-school sporting club brings inspiration to students and teacher alike, but the past catches up and faces him with a difficult choice.
The Festival will close with the U.S. premiere of "Last Cab to Darwin" directed by Jeremy Sims. In this warm-hearted road movie Rex is a loner, and when he’s told he doesn’t have long to live, he embarks on an epic drive through the Australian outback from Broken Hill to Darwin to die on his own terms. But his journey reveals to him that before you can end your life, you have to live it, and to live it, you've got to share it. The film stars Michael Caton and Jackie Weaver.
Talking Pictures
Every year, the Festival presents a series of special programs devoted to exploring the careers and creative choices of the top talents in the world of cinema, including Oscar®-caliber actors and directors in conversation with leading entertainment journalists. Each program includes a film screening and an on-stage conversation.
Golden Globe nominee Lily Tomlin will attend the screening of Sony Pictures Classics’ "Grandma" and participate in an on-stage interview immediately following, presented by Tribeca Short List. Elle Reid has just gotten through breaking up with her girlfriend when her granddaughter Sage unexpectedly shows up needing 600 dollars before sundown. Temporarily broke, Grandma Elle and Sage spend the day trying to get their hands on the cash and their unannounced visits to old friends and flames end up rattling skeletons and digging up secrets.
Director Asif Kapadia will attend the screening of his documentary "Amy," a sympathetic and revealing portrait of Amy Winehouse which employs the singer’s own candid footage and creative visualizations of her lyrics to illuminate the story of her all-too-short life and career.
“The Talking Pictures program creates once in a lifetime opportunities for audiences to hear directly from some of the year’s hottest Oscar ®contenders — and this year is no exception,” said Festival Director Darryl Macdonald. “Golden Globe nominee Lily Tomlin will discuss her widely acclaimed work in 'Grandma' following the film’s screening; and director Asif Kapadia will join us to unpack his heartbreaking, intimate documentary 'Amy.' ”
Special Presentations
The Festival will hold three special presentations. Golden Globe-nominated "The Brand New Testament," which is also the Best Foreign Language Oscar submission from Belgium, directed by Jaco Van Dormael and starring Pili Groyne, Benoit Poelvoorde and Catherine Deneuve. The film is a high-concept satire in which God accidentally sets off a panic after his disgruntled daughter leaks the apocalyptic plans stored on his computer. The U.S. premiere of "Eye in the Sky," directed by Gavin Hood and starring Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman and Aaron Paul, is a thriller set in the world of remotely piloted aircraft warfare. "The Revenant," directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as frontiersman Hugh Glass, is nominated for three Golden Globe awards including Best Picture-Drama, Best Actor-Drama and Best Director.
Dinner and a Movie
The festival will screen the documentary "Cooking Up a Tribute," directed by Luis Gonzalez and Andrea Góme, as part of its Dinner & a Movie program. The film follows famed restaurateurs Josep, Jordi and Joan Roca as they take their renowned El Celler de Can Roca on the road, exploring and incorporating the native cuisines of Mexico, Colombia and Peru in their cooking. And the screening will be followed by a dinner at Mr. Lyons restaurant with a menu by chef Tara Lazar and Masterchef finalist Stephen Lee...
- 12/27/2015
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
The 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) will launch on January 1 with Klaus Härö’s Finnish Golden Globe nominee and shortlisted foreign-language Oscar hopeful The Fencer.
The festival’s closing night film on January 10 is the Us premiere of Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab To Darwin.
“The Fencer is the ideal opener for Palm Springs – not just because it is a beautifully made film, and a crowd-pleaser, but also because Finnish director Klaus Härö has become a festival favourite over the years,” said artistic director Helen du Toit.
“We are equally excited to be wrapping the festival with the Us premiere of Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab To Darwin, a road movie/comedy set in the Australian outback and featuring the irresistible Michael Caton as a man who, while trying to expedite his own demise, finally learns how to live.”
Top brass confirmed that the Talking Pictures programme will feature on-stage post-screening conversations with Amy director [link=nm...
The festival’s closing night film on January 10 is the Us premiere of Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab To Darwin.
“The Fencer is the ideal opener for Palm Springs – not just because it is a beautifully made film, and a crowd-pleaser, but also because Finnish director Klaus Härö has become a festival favourite over the years,” said artistic director Helen du Toit.
“We are equally excited to be wrapping the festival with the Us premiere of Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab To Darwin, a road movie/comedy set in the Australian outback and featuring the irresistible Michael Caton as a man who, while trying to expedite his own demise, finally learns how to live.”
Top brass confirmed that the Talking Pictures programme will feature on-stage post-screening conversations with Amy director [link=nm...
- 12/17/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
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