Australian Film Commission

This is archived information from the website of the former Australian Film Commission (AFC), now part of Screen Australia

20 May 2013

In this issue:

To tell us what you think of AFC News, email: afcnews-editor@afc.gov.au.

1. NEW ON THE AFC WEBSITE
Issues Paper: Towards a Protocol for Filmmakers Working with Indigenous Content and Indigenous Communities Submissions are sought by 30 June 2003. New Australian TV Drama and Documentaries The catalogue produced by the AFC for television market MIP-TV contains TV drama in production and recently completed, and documentary titles recently completed, since January 2002. New Australian Feature Films The catalogue produced by the AFC for the American Film Market (AFM) contains titles in production or completed since 1 January 2002. Explorations-Films Indigenes d'Australie/Indigenous Films of Australia A catalogue (mostly in French) of contemporary Australian Indigenous films. Film Development: A Guide to Funding Programs The Australian Film Industry Today and the Forces that Shaped It AFC chair Maureen Barron's speech at the Taipei Film Festival, Taiwan, in March 2003. AFC Parliamentary Reception AFC chair Maureen Barron's speech introducing the AFC commissioners and chief executive to representatives of the government in Canberra on 18 March 2003 touched on important issues and achievements of the industry. Australian Culture and Audiovisual Trade in the Context of International Trade An article by AFC chief executive Kim Dalton and AFC policy advisor Catherine Griff published in Metro Magazine. World Trade Organisation (WTO) AFC Submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Public Consultations on the WTO Doha Round of Negotiations. Australian Content on Subscription Television* AFC Submission to the 2003 ABA Review of Australian Content on Subscription Television. Marketing Your Film Internationally The AFC website has a wealth of resources online such as festival profiles of over 50 key festivals and tips from filmmakers who have attended festivals in the past. Get the Picture Online Industry Statistics Updates - Production industry: Focus on animation. - Cinema industry: The early years of cinema in Australia, including admission numbers 1901 to present. Plus 2002 data on screens and theatres, box office breakdowns, origin of films screened. - Free-to-air TV: Summary of 2001 compliance with standards for Australian content, children's television and Australian content in advertising. Upcoming Production Report* Features, TV drama and documentaries shooting in Australia now and in the next few months. Latest AFC Funding Approvals Film Development: January - February 2003. Upcoming AFC Funding Deadlines
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2. AFC-FUNDED FILMS AND FESTIVALS
Australians at Annecy International Animated Film Festival 2-7 June 2003 A major retrospective of Australian animation featuring more than fifty programs made since 1950 will screen at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. In addition, eight Australian animation programs have been selected in competition, including Harvie Krumpet (d: Adam Elliot, p: Melanie Coombs), Mother Tongue (d/p: Susan Kim) and Ward 13 (d/p: Peter Cornwell) which were developed with the assistance of the AFC. The Marketing Unit of the AFC will support a number of the animators selected in competition to travel to France to attend the screening of their programs. *Floodhouse Goes into Production Short feature Floodhouse (w/d: Miro Bilbrough, p: Peter Sainsbury) started filming on 18 March for three weeks in Kangaroo Valley, south of Sydney. DOP is Kim Batterham and the film stars Robert Menzies, Catherine McClements, Brendon Cowell, Aaron Pederson and newcomer Victoria Thwaine. The AFC is the major investor, with support from SBS Independent and the NSW Film and Television Office. AFC/ABC Documentary Online Project a First for Hot Docs 25 April - 4 May 2003 The AFC/ABC Documentary Online Homeless* (w: Rose Hesp and Trevor Graham, d: Trevor Graham, Rose Hesp and Rob Wellington, p: Trevor Graham) will be the first Australian online project ever to be profiled at Hot Docs Film Festival, the prestigious Canadian market and festival held in Toronto. Homeless is one of only five international online projects to be selected for the newly inaugurated CyberDocs that explores the convergence of new media and documentary practice. AFC-funded Documentary Wins Grand Prix at Cinema Du Reel 7-16 March 2003 The documentary A Wedding in Ramallah* (d/p: Sherine Salama), developed with assistance from the AFC, won the Grand Prix at Cinema Du Reel in France. The 9th London Australian Film Festival 6-16 March 2003 The only major showcase exclusively for Australian cinema in Europe is now in its ninth year. Screening 16 features, five documentaries and 13 shorts, half the program was sold out before the opening and the week-long program was extended to 11 days. The festival was presented with assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australia International Cultural Council, the AFC and the Australian High Commission in London. AFC-funded Short Film Wins Grand Prix at Tampere 5-9 March 2003 The Projectionist (w/d: Michael Bates, p: Anna Messariti) has been awarded the top prize - the Grand Prix - at the internationally renowned Tampere International Short Film Festival in Finland. The AFC fully funded the production of The Projectionist and funded Michael to attend Tampere, where it competed with 74 shorts and documentaries from 36 countries for the Grand Prix. AFC-funded Films at Adelaide International Film Festival 28 February - 7 March 2003 The first short feature funded by the AFC's Indigenous Unit, Cold Turkey (w/d: Steven McGregor, p: Cilla Collins), had its world premiere at the Adelaide International Film Festival and has been accepted into the Melbourne International Film Festival. AFC-funded short feature Roy Hölsdotter Live* (w/d: Matthew Saville, p: Trevor Blainey) played to a sellout audience in Adelaide and was one of the nine films from 120 selected to screen again at Best of the Fest. Other AFC-funded films which screened in Adelaide were the short feature The Thirteenth House (w: Shaun Duncan and Scott Richards, d: Shane McNeil, p: Kristian Moliere), short film The Projectionist (w/d: Michael Bates: Anna Messariti), documentary Making Venus (d: Gary Doust, p: Tom Zubrycki) and animation Black and White and Red All Over (w/d: Greg Holfeld, p: Judi Oehme) and Violin (w/d: Fiona Dyson, p: Meredith Campbell and Fiona Dyson). The Tracker (w/d: Rolf de Heer, p: Rolf de Heer and Julie Ryan) was one of three landmark Australian films screened to showcase the talent of actor David Gulpilil, the inaugural recipient of the Don Dunstan Award. After its launch at the AIDC, the National Indigenous Documentary Fund 5, Skin, Kin and Country: Stories from Black Australia, also screened.
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3. AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY CONFERENCE (AIDC)
17-20 February 2003 AFC Launches Five New Indigenous Documentaries Skin, Kin and Country: Stories from Black Australia, Series 5 of the National Indigenous Documentary Fund (NIDF), was launched on 19 February at the AIDC in Byron Bay. The series is an initiative of the AFC, ATSIC, SBS Independent, NSW Film and Television Office, South Australian Film Corporation and ScreenWest. The five 26-minute documentaries will screen this year on SBS Television. The AFC's Indigenous Unit funded many Indigenous filmmakers to attend the AIDC. AFC Plans Benchmark Study of Documentary The AFC's Director, Film Development Carole Sklan spoke on a panel at the AIDC responding to the tensions in the relationship between broadcasters and documentary makers. In response to the expressed concern at the lack of detailed data and analysis of the documentary sector, AFC commissioner Bruce Moir put forward that the AFC, supported by other film agencies, would complete during 2003 a major benchmark study of the Australian documentary industry in order to provide comprehensive data and assess the effectiveness of the current range of documentary assistance programs. The AFC's 2000 report Development: A study of Australian and international funding and practice in the feature film industry is online. AFC Announces New Protocol for Filmmakers Working with Indigenous Content Towards a Protocol for Filmmakers Working with Indigenous Content and Indigenous Communities, an issues paper being developed for the AFC by Terri Janke, was launched at the AIDC. The protocol aims to assist and encourage recognition and respect for the images, knowledge and stories of Indigenous people, and an awareness of how they are represented in documentary and drama. Case studies will be included and the AFC welcomes suggestions from filmmakers. The deadline for submissions is 30 June 2003. Wim and Donata Wenders do lunch with Indigenous filmmakers During their visit to Australia, director Wim Wenders (Buena Vista Social Club, Wings of Desire, Paris, Texas) and Donata Wenders (stills photographer for The Million Dollar Hotel) attended filmmaker lunches in Sydney and Melbourne, hosted by the AFC's Indigenous Unit, and watched Dreaming in Motion, an AFC-funded collection of Indigenous short films. Filmmakers had the chance to talk informally with Wim about his unique approach to filmmaking. href="http://www.aidc.com.au" target=_blank>More information about Wim Wenders' participation at the AIDC.
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4. WORKSHOPS
First Stage of the Indigenous Series Television Workshop Underway 10-14 March 2003 Fifteen participants from around Australia attended the five-day Indigenous Series Television Workshop in Sydney facilitated by veteran script producer Kelly Lefever (Something in the Air, Blue Heelers, Neighbours). Including two sessions with UK writer Jimmy McGovern, the workshop introduced craft skills and the structure of television production. For the second stage, applicants will complete a 3-4 week attachment on a locally produced television program and the final stage will be a residential workshop where participants will work on developing their own ideas. Email: indigenous@afc.gov.au Crossover Australia 10-14 March 2003 Twenty participants were selected from over 100 applications from around Australia to participate in the collaborative forum Crossover Australia at Encounter Bay in South Australia, funded by the South Australian Film Corporation and the AFC. Participants, guest artists, broadcasters and funding agency representatives spent the week in the think tank exploring narrative and interactive production possibilities and developing working partnerships which will go on to develop multi-platform projects. Guest artists from both film and new media included Peter Wintonick (Canada), Sophie Fiennes (UK), Rolf de Heer (Australia), Rob Bevan (UK), Emma Westecott and Alex Mayhew (Sweden). *SPARK Workshop a Success for Writers and Advisors 23 February - 2 March 2003 Response to the inaugural AFC/AFTRS SPARK script development workshop held in Hepburn Springs in Victoria has been overwhelmingly positive. The creative teams received guidance from advisors including UK writer Jimmy McGovern and are now preparing script development notes before submitting new drafts in June 2003. The fourth stage of the program will offer packaging and financing advice to the teams.
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5. AFC UPDATE
Project Managers Documentary maker Lou Glover and writer Romaine Moreton commenced on 24 February as project managers in the AFC's Indigenous Unit. Line producer Lori Flekser started on 10 March as project manager (admin) for six months. Lori will be responsible for administration of the Film Development Branch, overseeing the contracting processes, managing and monitoring AFC project investments and co-ordinating the workflow. Lou, Romaine and Lori are all based in Sydney. Corporate Liaison Executive Juliana Payne started as the AFC's corporate liaison executive on 24 February. Juliana has a background in corporate planning and strategic development, policy development and the management of government relations. Desktop Systems Support Officer David Christie joined the AFC on 12 March as the desktop systems support officer. David comes to the AFC with four years experience working in a technical support role for Apple Computer. Farewells After three years at the AFC, Film Development administrative assistant Rachel Sinclair has started a new job with ABC Factual Programming. Rachel's enthusiasm, organisational skills and commitment have been enormous and we wish her every success in her new position. After nearly three years as research coordinator, Henry Barrkman has left the AFC to pursue a career as a primary school teacher. Henry made a significant contribution to the AFC, most notably assisting with the launch of the online film databases.
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6. EVENTS
AFC Marketing Seminars 8 April 2003, Perth, in conjunction with Screenwest 9 April 2003, Adelaide, in conjunction with the South Australian Film Corporation 14 April 2003, Brisbane An open forum with distributors, producers and marketing specialist Zealot Films, dissecting marketing campaigns and materials including the all-important trailer. Visit from Programmer for Montreal World Film Festival 11 - 16 April 2003, Melbourne 17, 22 -26 April 2003, Sydney Hannah Fisher is programming a new Asian section as well as acting as a film scout for all Montreal sections so she is looking to view new features, documentaries, shorts and some TV programs. X\|Media\|Lab 6 June 2003, Streaming Media Workshop, Sound Stage, Fox Studios Sydney 7-10 June 2003, Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney 11 June 2003, X\|Media\|Lab Conference, Museum of Contemporary Art Sydney X\|Media\|Lab is a workshop for new media people in film, interactive media, games, entertainment, arts, media, music, advertising, communications and information technology. It will be held as part of the 50th anniversary Sydney Film Festival in June 2003 with a roster of specially selected international mentors. What's On in Film The AFC sponsors this monthly national guide to screen events across Australia: awards, competitions, exhibitions, festivals, screenings, seminars and workshops.
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7. UPCOMING ICD-FUNDED EVENTS
15/15 Film Festival ACT, NSW, VIC 8 March - 30 August 2003 Small Screen Big Picture WA May 2003 TV conference for industry practitioners. Ph: (08) 9228 1999 Streaming Worlds - Fifth Digital Art and Culture Conference Melbourne 19 May - 19 June 2003 Conference on interactive and streaming media. Australian Teachers of Media ATOM Awards Melbourne 24 May 2003 St Kilda Film Festival Melbourne 27 May - 1 June 2003 Popcorn Taxi Sydney, Melbourne Weekly screenings and Q&As with filmmakers. Arts Law Centre of Australia Sydney Lectures and seminars. Darwin Film Society Exhibition Program Darwin January - November 2003 dLux media arts Sydney January - December 2003 Experimenta 2003 Melbourne January - December 2003 *ACT Filmmakers' Network Seminar Series Canberra February - December 2003
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8. AUSTRALIAN FILMS SCREENING AT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS
Stuttgart Filmwinter Festival, Germany 16-19 January 2003 Cog, Dream Kitchen, Eurovision, Homeless, Long Journey, Young Lives, Kamakiritachi no Baraado, Ovaj Kaze, Shocked* Tampere International Short Film Festival, Finland (5-9 March 2003) Her Outback, The Projectionist, The Shot* Cinema du Reel, France 7-16 March 2003 A Wedding in Ramallah* Creteil Film Festival de Femmes, France 21-30 March 2003 An Angel at My Table, Dancing in the Dust, Egg, Just Desserts, Pending, Proof, Search Aspen Shortsfest, US 2-6 April 2003 Short drama: Little Blue, The Paddock, Turn Around Short animation: Pa Hong Kong International Film Festival, Hong Kong 8-24 April 2003 A Wedding in Ramallah* Singapore International Film Festival, Singapore (18 April -3 May 2003) Feature drama: Black and White, The Tracker* Feature documentary: Shadow Play: Indonesia's Forgotten Holocaust Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, Canada (25 April - 4 May 2003) Homeless* Annecy International Animated Film Festival, France (2-7 June 2003) Short Films : Cane Toad, Harvie Crumpet, Show and Tell* TV Series: Human Contraptions "Sex" School or Graduation Films: Suit Yourself, Telephone Short Films in Panorama: Mother Tongue, Ward 13 A major retrospective of Australian animation will feature more than fifty animation programs made since 1950. href="/news/media/medrel/24mar03.html">AFC Media Release See AFC/ABC Documentary Online projects Homeless and Long Journey, Young Lives See Festival Profiles for information on over 50 key international festivals including screening histories of Australian films.
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9. AUSTRALIAN AWARDS WON AT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVALS
International Large Format Film Festival, La Geode, France 15 January - 3 February 2003 Youth Prize: Horses - The Story of Equus* London Film Critics' Circle Awards, UK 12 February 2003 Best Director: Phillip Noyce for both The Quiet American* and Rabbit-Proof Fence Best Screenwriter: Andrew Bovell for Lantana The Christopher Awards, US February 2003 Best Feature Film: Rabbit-Proof Fence* Tampere International Short Film Festival, Finland 5-9 March 2003 Grand Prix: The Projectionist* Cinema du Reel, France 7-16 March 2003 Grand Prix: A Wedding in Ramallah* See Festival Profiles for information on over 50 key international festivals including screening histories of Australian films. See Award Winners in Get the Picture Online
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AFC NEWS MARCH 2003