Prizes handed out at 70th anniversary edition of the Australian festival.
Afrofuturist musical Neptune Frost, directed by Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman, won the inaugural 96,500 Bright Horizons Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival (Miff) on Saturday (August 20).
Jub Clerc’s direction in her ovation-inducing coming-of-age debut drama Sweet As took home the 48,000 Innovation Award, open only to Australians.
US-Rwanda co-production Neptune Frost premiered in Cannes’ Directors Fortnight in 2021 and went on to screen at TIFF, Sundance and the New York Film Festival. Kino Lorber has international rights.
The jury, led by Australian actor/director Shareena Clanton, said the feature...
Afrofuturist musical Neptune Frost, directed by Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman, won the inaugural 96,500 Bright Horizons Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival (Miff) on Saturday (August 20).
Jub Clerc’s direction in her ovation-inducing coming-of-age debut drama Sweet As took home the 48,000 Innovation Award, open only to Australians.
US-Rwanda co-production Neptune Frost premiered in Cannes’ Directors Fortnight in 2021 and went on to screen at TIFF, Sundance and the New York Film Festival. Kino Lorber has international rights.
The jury, led by Australian actor/director Shareena Clanton, said the feature...
- 8/22/2022
- by Sandy George
- ScreenDaily
'The Butterfly Tree'..
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Miff Premiere Fund will present six world premieres at the 66th Melbourne International Film Festival (Miff), including Greg McLean.s survival thriller Jungle.
The festival runs August 3-20; the full program will be launched on July 11, with general public individual session tickets on sale from July 14..
The six premieres are:.
The Butterfly Tree, the feature debut of director Priscilla Cameron, is a coming-of-age tale of love and loss tinged with magical realism, starring Melissa George, Ewen Leslie, Ed Oxenbould and Sophie Lowe.
Naina Sen.s The Song Keepers chronicles the hidden musical legacy of ancient Aboriginal languages and German baroque songs that are being preserved by the Central Australian Aboriginal Women.s Choir.
Eddie Martin.s Have You Seen the Listers? is a moving personal account of the artistic and commercial rise of Australia.s most renowned street artist, which came with a deep personal cost.
In Westwind: Djalu.s Legacy, director Ben Strunin portrays Yolngu elder Djalu Gurruwiwi.s quest to pass his people.s ancient song lines and culture to the next generation — with a little help from global pop star Gotye..
Rabbit is a chilling fairytale feature debut from director Luke Shanahan in which identical twins are linked by more than just DNA, starring Alex Russell and Adelaide Clemens.
The opening night selection, Jungle stars Alex Russell and Daniel Radcliffe in a thriller based on the real-life story of adventurer Yossi Ghinsberg.
The Premiere Fund, which offers minority co-financing to new Australian narrative and documentary theatrical features that then premiere at Miff, has invested in a total of 56 projects. To celebrate the anniversary, Miff will have retro screenings of three classics:
Balibo (2009), Robert Connolly.s political thriller starring Oscar Isaac and Anthony Lapaglia. Bastardy (2008), Amiel Courtin-Wilson.s impressionistic portrait of the life of Indigenous arts personality Jack Charles.. Blessed (2009), Ana Kokkinos. drama about families, love and loss, starring Frances O'Connor, Miranda Otto, Deborra-Lee Furness, William McInnes, Sophie Lowe, Harrison Gilbertson and Reef Ireland.
Meanwhile www.miff.com.au will feature a new dedicated Premiere Fund page outlining all 56 investments along with a link to a new iTunes page where many of those films can be purchased..
Among the notable milestones over the 10 years:
Nearly 32 per cent of the fund.s films had female directors (versus Screen Australia-reported industry average of 16 per cent). Nearly 59 per cent had female producers (versus industry average of 32 per cent). 41 per cent included youth themes.. 27 per cent had elements portraying Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Communities (CALDs), with 5 per cent having Cald creative principals (director and/or producer(s). 16 per cent included Indigenous themes and/or characters (including Bran Nue Dae), and nearly 7 per cent had Indigenous creative principals. 13 per cent included Lgbti characters and/or issues, with 18 per cent involving Lgbti creative principals. Some 50% of Premiere Fund movies were helmed by first-time directors.
Miff Premiere Fund executive producer Mark Woods said, .The talent we have been able to support has been incredible — 19 per cent of Premiere Fund films are directed by alumni of Miff emerging director workshop Accelerator Lab and 48 per cent advanced their funding at Miff.s film financing event 37ºSouth Market — so we really do feel like we come on a long journey with these projects..
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Miff Premiere Fund will present six world premieres at the 66th Melbourne International Film Festival (Miff), including Greg McLean.s survival thriller Jungle.
The festival runs August 3-20; the full program will be launched on July 11, with general public individual session tickets on sale from July 14..
The six premieres are:.
The Butterfly Tree, the feature debut of director Priscilla Cameron, is a coming-of-age tale of love and loss tinged with magical realism, starring Melissa George, Ewen Leslie, Ed Oxenbould and Sophie Lowe.
Naina Sen.s The Song Keepers chronicles the hidden musical legacy of ancient Aboriginal languages and German baroque songs that are being preserved by the Central Australian Aboriginal Women.s Choir.
Eddie Martin.s Have You Seen the Listers? is a moving personal account of the artistic and commercial rise of Australia.s most renowned street artist, which came with a deep personal cost.
In Westwind: Djalu.s Legacy, director Ben Strunin portrays Yolngu elder Djalu Gurruwiwi.s quest to pass his people.s ancient song lines and culture to the next generation — with a little help from global pop star Gotye..
Rabbit is a chilling fairytale feature debut from director Luke Shanahan in which identical twins are linked by more than just DNA, starring Alex Russell and Adelaide Clemens.
The opening night selection, Jungle stars Alex Russell and Daniel Radcliffe in a thriller based on the real-life story of adventurer Yossi Ghinsberg.
The Premiere Fund, which offers minority co-financing to new Australian narrative and documentary theatrical features that then premiere at Miff, has invested in a total of 56 projects. To celebrate the anniversary, Miff will have retro screenings of three classics:
Balibo (2009), Robert Connolly.s political thriller starring Oscar Isaac and Anthony Lapaglia. Bastardy (2008), Amiel Courtin-Wilson.s impressionistic portrait of the life of Indigenous arts personality Jack Charles.. Blessed (2009), Ana Kokkinos. drama about families, love and loss, starring Frances O'Connor, Miranda Otto, Deborra-Lee Furness, William McInnes, Sophie Lowe, Harrison Gilbertson and Reef Ireland.
Meanwhile www.miff.com.au will feature a new dedicated Premiere Fund page outlining all 56 investments along with a link to a new iTunes page where many of those films can be purchased..
Among the notable milestones over the 10 years:
Nearly 32 per cent of the fund.s films had female directors (versus Screen Australia-reported industry average of 16 per cent). Nearly 59 per cent had female producers (versus industry average of 32 per cent). 41 per cent included youth themes.. 27 per cent had elements portraying Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Communities (CALDs), with 5 per cent having Cald creative principals (director and/or producer(s). 16 per cent included Indigenous themes and/or characters (including Bran Nue Dae), and nearly 7 per cent had Indigenous creative principals. 13 per cent included Lgbti characters and/or issues, with 18 per cent involving Lgbti creative principals. Some 50% of Premiere Fund movies were helmed by first-time directors.
Miff Premiere Fund executive producer Mark Woods said, .The talent we have been able to support has been incredible — 19 per cent of Premiere Fund films are directed by alumni of Miff emerging director workshop Accelerator Lab and 48 per cent advanced their funding at Miff.s film financing event 37ºSouth Market — so we really do feel like we come on a long journey with these projects..
- 6/22/2017
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
It started with a heartfelt Facebook message and ended with love from all over the world.
On Nov. 8, Mark Woods of Cornwall, England, shared a heart-wrenching post on Facebook: he was putting his beloved dog Walnut to sleep the following Saturday. But before that sad moment, he told his followers that he planned to walk on a beach his dog loved just one last time, and asked people to join him. That’s when something amazing happened.
What could have been a few family and friends turned into something epic: More than 19,000 people reacted to the Facebook post, with hundreds attending the walk,...
On Nov. 8, Mark Woods of Cornwall, England, shared a heart-wrenching post on Facebook: he was putting his beloved dog Walnut to sleep the following Saturday. But before that sad moment, he told his followers that he planned to walk on a beach his dog loved just one last time, and asked people to join him. That’s when something amazing happened.
What could have been a few family and friends turned into something epic: More than 19,000 people reacted to the Facebook post, with hundreds attending the walk,...
- 11/15/2016
- by amyjamiesonweb
- PEOPLE.com
Ed Oxenbould in The Butterfly Tree.
Writer-director Priscilla Cameron.s debut feature, The Butterfly Tree, has commenced filming around Tamborine Mountain, Queensland.
The Butterfly Tree, formerly titled Bloom, stars Melissa George (Heartbeat, The Slap), Ewen Leslie (Top of the Lake, The Daughter), Ed Oxenbould (Paper Planes, Puberty Blues), and Sophie Lowe (The Beautiful Lie, The Returned).
The film tells the story of Evelyn, an ex-burlesque queen, who bewitches single dad Al and his teenage son Fin with her zest for life.
When father and son discover they are competing for the affections of the same woman, it reopens old wounds over the death of Fin.s mother.
The Butterfly Tree is being produced by Bridget Callow-Wright from Cowlick Entertainment.
"We are excited to see cameras rolling on The Butterfly Tree and congratulate Priscilla and Bridget for their original story going into production," said Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira.
"Sq...
Writer-director Priscilla Cameron.s debut feature, The Butterfly Tree, has commenced filming around Tamborine Mountain, Queensland.
The Butterfly Tree, formerly titled Bloom, stars Melissa George (Heartbeat, The Slap), Ewen Leslie (Top of the Lake, The Daughter), Ed Oxenbould (Paper Planes, Puberty Blues), and Sophie Lowe (The Beautiful Lie, The Returned).
The film tells the story of Evelyn, an ex-burlesque queen, who bewitches single dad Al and his teenage son Fin with her zest for life.
When father and son discover they are competing for the affections of the same woman, it reopens old wounds over the death of Fin.s mother.
The Butterfly Tree is being produced by Bridget Callow-Wright from Cowlick Entertainment.
"We are excited to see cameras rolling on The Butterfly Tree and congratulate Priscilla and Bridget for their original story going into production," said Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira.
"Sq...
- 7/21/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Melissa George..
Screen Queensland is the primary investor on feature film Bloom by first-time writer and director, Queensland-based Priscilla Cameron, to be produced by Bridget Callow-Wright.
Melissa George (Heartbeat, The Slap.and Felony) and Sophie Lowe (The Beautiful Lie, What Lola Wants) are confirmed to star in the dramatic feature which will be shot exclusively in Queensland..
Other investors of the production include the Melbourne International Film Festival (Miff) Premiere Fund, Vendetta, Film Victoria, Cowlick Entertainment Group and 108 Media.
Bloom will spend more than $1.2m in Queensland, with production commencing in South East Queensland in July. Post-production will be completed by The Post Lounge in Victoria.
Bloom tells the story of Evelyn, an ex-burlesque queen, who bewitches single dad Al and his 13-year-old boy Fin with her zest for life..
When father and son discover they are competing for the affections of the same woman, it reopens old wounds...
Screen Queensland is the primary investor on feature film Bloom by first-time writer and director, Queensland-based Priscilla Cameron, to be produced by Bridget Callow-Wright.
Melissa George (Heartbeat, The Slap.and Felony) and Sophie Lowe (The Beautiful Lie, What Lola Wants) are confirmed to star in the dramatic feature which will be shot exclusively in Queensland..
Other investors of the production include the Melbourne International Film Festival (Miff) Premiere Fund, Vendetta, Film Victoria, Cowlick Entertainment Group and 108 Media.
Bloom will spend more than $1.2m in Queensland, with production commencing in South East Queensland in July. Post-production will be completed by The Post Lounge in Victoria.
Bloom tells the story of Evelyn, an ex-burlesque queen, who bewitches single dad Al and his 13-year-old boy Fin with her zest for life..
When father and son discover they are competing for the affections of the same woman, it reopens old wounds...
- 4/8/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Abduction thriller voted to UK market by Melbourne’s 37º South Market.
Sales agents from across the world yesterday voted David Ngo and Rabbit as the producer and project at the Melbourne International Film Festival’s 37º South Market to attend the UK’s Production Finance Market (Pfm) in October.
Rabbit is a psychological thriller about a girl’s search for her abducted twin sister and it has actors Abbey Lee (Mad Max: Fury Road) and Alex Russell (Chronicle) attached.
It is written by and will be the feature directorial debut of Luke Shanahan, who met Ngo in 2009 when both had films competing at Australian short film festival Tropfest.
“It’s in the style of Let The Right One In and Rosemary’s Baby,” said Ngo, whose first feature was director Nick Matthews’ One Eyed Girl, winner of best feature at last year’s Austin Film Festival.
The popularity of the projects Cargo and Achtung Road, also...
Sales agents from across the world yesterday voted David Ngo and Rabbit as the producer and project at the Melbourne International Film Festival’s 37º South Market to attend the UK’s Production Finance Market (Pfm) in October.
Rabbit is a psychological thriller about a girl’s search for her abducted twin sister and it has actors Abbey Lee (Mad Max: Fury Road) and Alex Russell (Chronicle) attached.
It is written by and will be the feature directorial debut of Luke Shanahan, who met Ngo in 2009 when both had films competing at Australian short film festival Tropfest.
“It’s in the style of Let The Right One In and Rosemary’s Baby,” said Ngo, whose first feature was director Nick Matthews’ One Eyed Girl, winner of best feature at last year’s Austin Film Festival.
The popularity of the projects Cargo and Achtung Road, also...
- 8/3/2015
- by Sandy.George@me.com (Sandy George)
- ScreenDaily
Michael Rowe.s Early Winter, Simon Stone.s The Daughter and Bentley Dean and Martin Butler.s Tanna will be launched internationally at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival in September.
A Canadian/Australian co-production starring Paul Doucet and Suzanne Clément, Early Winter (formerly Rest Home) will have its world premiere in the Venice Days sidebar.
The first English-language film from Mexican-based writer-director Rowe (Leap Year; The Well), the Montreal-shot psychological drama follows a janitor in a retirement home whose life spirals out of control when he catches his wife with a lover, pushing him to the brink of insanity.
Pyramide International is handling international sales and releasing in France, Rialto will distribute in Australia/New Zealand and Mongrel Media/Film Option in Canada.
.Pyramide will be selling in Venice and then at Toronto,. Freshwater Pictures. Trish Lake, who produced with Serge Noël.s Possibles Média, tells If. .There are...
A Canadian/Australian co-production starring Paul Doucet and Suzanne Clément, Early Winter (formerly Rest Home) will have its world premiere in the Venice Days sidebar.
The first English-language film from Mexican-based writer-director Rowe (Leap Year; The Well), the Montreal-shot psychological drama follows a janitor in a retirement home whose life spirals out of control when he catches his wife with a lover, pushing him to the brink of insanity.
Pyramide International is handling international sales and releasing in France, Rialto will distribute in Australia/New Zealand and Mongrel Media/Film Option in Canada.
.Pyramide will be selling in Venice and then at Toronto,. Freshwater Pictures. Trish Lake, who produced with Serge Noël.s Possibles Média, tells If. .There are...
- 7/26/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Victoria government pledges $900,000 renewal.
The State Government of Victoria is to renew the Melbourne International Film Festival’s Miff Premiere Fund to the tune of $900,000, to provide strategic minority co-financing to new Australian films that then go on to premiere at Miff.
“The Miff Premiere Fund’s continuation is clear evidence of the Victorian Government’s commitment to supporting Victorian screen culture,” said Miff chair Claire Dobbin.
“The Fund’s continuation is important for Miff, audiences, local filmmakers, and the State’s creative economy.
“It generates a pipeline of world premieres for Miff, and screenings for the Miff Premiere Regional Showcase, and the Premiere Fund helps Miff remain the Southern Hemisphere’s leading film event.”
Miff industry director and premiere fund executive producer Mark Woods added: “Together with Miff 37ºSouth Market & Accelerator, the Miff Premiere Fund reinforces Melbourne’s position as a creative industries capital.
“Securing finance for independent Australian films is always a challenge and the...
The State Government of Victoria is to renew the Melbourne International Film Festival’s Miff Premiere Fund to the tune of $900,000, to provide strategic minority co-financing to new Australian films that then go on to premiere at Miff.
“The Miff Premiere Fund’s continuation is clear evidence of the Victorian Government’s commitment to supporting Victorian screen culture,” said Miff chair Claire Dobbin.
“The Fund’s continuation is important for Miff, audiences, local filmmakers, and the State’s creative economy.
“It generates a pipeline of world premieres for Miff, and screenings for the Miff Premiere Regional Showcase, and the Premiere Fund helps Miff remain the Southern Hemisphere’s leading film event.”
Miff industry director and premiere fund executive producer Mark Woods added: “Together with Miff 37ºSouth Market & Accelerator, the Miff Premiere Fund reinforces Melbourne’s position as a creative industries capital.
“Securing finance for independent Australian films is always a challenge and the...
- 5/22/2015
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Amber Sloan has been appointed general manager of the Melbourne International Film Festival.
A Miff attendee for 18 years since she was a student at Rmit, Sloan in effect replaces Maria Amato, who was CEO until her departure in December.
In a subsequent restructure the CEO.s position was replaced by the Gm role. Sloan joins the Miff executive team alongside artistic director Michelle Carey and industry director Mark Woods.
She worked for Private Media, publisher of Crikey, for almost 10 years, starting as marketing manager before becoming Gm then chief operating officer and company secretary.
.Miff.s management will be enriched by Amber.s wealth of experience in marketing, subscriber and revenue management and we are delighted to welcome her to the team,. said Miff chair Claire Dobbin. The 64th Miff 2015 runs from July 30 — August 16.
A Miff attendee for 18 years since she was a student at Rmit, Sloan in effect replaces Maria Amato, who was CEO until her departure in December.
In a subsequent restructure the CEO.s position was replaced by the Gm role. Sloan joins the Miff executive team alongside artistic director Michelle Carey and industry director Mark Woods.
She worked for Private Media, publisher of Crikey, for almost 10 years, starting as marketing manager before becoming Gm then chief operating officer and company secretary.
.Miff.s management will be enriched by Amber.s wealth of experience in marketing, subscriber and revenue management and we are delighted to welcome her to the team,. said Miff chair Claire Dobbin. The 64th Miff 2015 runs from July 30 — August 16.
- 1/29/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia.s announcement last week that it will fund up to three short dramas, each budgeted at $70,000, in a new program entitled Hot Shots raised eyebrows in sections of the industry.
Five years ago the agency drew flak when it abolished short drama production funding, prompting an open letter from about 50 filmmakers.
.We feel the short film program is vitally important in kick-starting careers and developing new talent and thus should be retained,. said the letter signed by the likes of Angie Fielder, Matthew Dabner, Anne Robinson, Polly Staniford, Amiel Courtin-Wilson, Tim Maddocks, Beth Frey, Nicholas Verso and Nick Ball. .Many of us would not have made our start in this industry, or have any reasonable stature within it now as establishing producers, if not for this fund..
Some producers viewed the Hot Shots announcement as a major change of policy but that.s not the case, according to...
Five years ago the agency drew flak when it abolished short drama production funding, prompting an open letter from about 50 filmmakers.
.We feel the short film program is vitally important in kick-starting careers and developing new talent and thus should be retained,. said the letter signed by the likes of Angie Fielder, Matthew Dabner, Anne Robinson, Polly Staniford, Amiel Courtin-Wilson, Tim Maddocks, Beth Frey, Nicholas Verso and Nick Ball. .Many of us would not have made our start in this industry, or have any reasonable stature within it now as establishing producers, if not for this fund..
Some producers viewed the Hot Shots announcement as a major change of policy but that.s not the case, according to...
- 9/23/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
When writer-producer David Landsberg invited friends to join distributors, sales agents and exhibitors for Thursday's screening of the low-budget, high-concept comedy "Sex Tax," his pitch wasn't just come to see the film but also to celebrate his life and the launch of his indie production company.
"What I told everybody is, 'Don't come to my funeral. Don't come see me when I'm dead,' " Landsberg said. " 'Come when I'm alive, when I'm doing something, not when I'm a little box of ashes.' "
It was pure Landsberg. After 35 years in Hollywood as a commercials and TV actor before moving behind the camera as producer and writer on "Herman's Head," "The Cosby Show," "Love Boat" and other series, Landsberg had suffered through several heart attacks -- an experience that changed his views about himself and the world.
"As a writer, I had been Tony Thomas' voice, Aaron Spelling's voice,...
"What I told everybody is, 'Don't come to my funeral. Don't come see me when I'm dead,' " Landsberg said. " 'Come when I'm alive, when I'm doing something, not when I'm a little box of ashes.' "
It was pure Landsberg. After 35 years in Hollywood as a commercials and TV actor before moving behind the camera as producer and writer on "Herman's Head," "The Cosby Show," "Love Boat" and other series, Landsberg had suffered through several heart attacks -- an experience that changed his views about himself and the world.
"As a writer, I had been Tony Thomas' voice, Aaron Spelling's voice,...
- 4/13/2010
- by By Alex Ben Block
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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