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SA filmmakers share in 2020 Lottie Lyell Award
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Three South Australian women filmmakers have shared in $30,000 funding to develop their bold and ambitious screen projects as part of the SAFC's 2020 Lottie Lyell Award, announced today.
The Award commemorates pioneering Australian filmmaker Lottie Lyell, widely regarded as Australia’s first female film producer, whose 1917 feminist silent film The Woman Suffers became South Australia’s first feature film.
Now in its second round, the $20,000 Award was expanded this year by an extra $10,000 to fund two additional projects, chosen from a pool of 26 applications of outstanding quality.
The successful recipients are:
● MAJOR PRIZE - $20,000
Animator and entrepreneur Fiona Percival for dont f with me, a darkly comic animated series about four best friends navigating the wild beauty and dangerous perils of teenage life.
● HONOURABLE MERIT - $5,000
Multi-award winning writer, director and producer Madeleine Parry (Nanette, ABC’s Maddie Parry series) for feature film Year 1, the story of an immigrant grandmother who begins a new journey of growth through an unlikely friendship.
● HONOURABLE MERIT - $5,000
Filmmaker and multi-disciplinary artist Allison Chhorn (The Plastic House, shortlisted for a 2020 Sydney Film Festival Documentary Australia Foundation Award) for documentary After Years, which follows a number of Cambodian families living across Australia, the U.S. and Cambodia, examining the inter-generational trauma arising from their experience as survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime.
To find out more about each project, including full production credits, click here.
SAFC CEO Kate Croser congratulated all three filmmakers on their outstanding submissions.
"The SAFC is pleased to support three such distinctive and original projects which celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation that screen pioneer Lottie Lyell is so well known for,” she said.
Judging submissions this year was a panel comprised of critically-acclaimed, award-winning First Nations Australian director and writer Catriona McKenzie (Satellite Boy, Shadowhunters), and experienced South Australian producer Peta Astbury (The Heights, The Marriage of Figaro), in consultation with SAFC staff.
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SAFC draft guidelines out now for feedback
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With the recent release of the SAFC Strategic Plan 2020-2023, the SAFC has launched a bold and exciting three-year vision for the future of the agency, and the wider SA screen sector.
In line with the SAFC's ongoing commitment to transparency and consultation with industry, we are inviting all members of the SA Screen Sector to provide feedback on all changes to our programs arising out of the new Strategic Plan.
Draft guidelines for the following new and changed programs are now available for download via the SAFC website:
All members of the SA Screen Sector are invited to review these draft guidelines and provide feedback via email at feedback@safilm.com.au
Consultation is open until 5.00pm ACST on Monday 17 August, 2020
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Image: Adelaide Studios, photo by Kelly Barnes.
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Epic Games calls for SA creators to get Unreal
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Epic Games, the interactive entertainment company behind hit game Fortnite has partnered with the SAFC and other state screen agencies to launch an Australia-wide short film competition with a $50,000 first prize.
The Unreal Engine Real-Time Short Film Challenge encourages creators at any stage of their career to produce their own short film using Epic Games’ Unreal Engine, a state-of-the-art toolset that frees people to author a range of linear media and interactive content across the visual spectrum, from stylised to photorealistic.
Filmmakers, animators, and VFX practitioners worldwide are utilising Unreal Engine for virtual production, from previs to VR scouting on virtual sets, and in-camera visual effects and final renders. To date, Unreal Engine has been used in production on more than 100 commercial television and film projects.
Applicants do not need any prior experience with Unreal Engine in order to participate - simply submit a pitch for a short film using the tool. Each state’s winning candidate will receive $20,000 to develop and produce their short film. Finalists will have their shorts judged, with the winner taking home a grand prize of $50,000.
To find out more about the challenge, visit the Epic Games website. Guidelines and application information specific to South Australian content creators are available at safilm.com.au/production
Image: Ada by Blue Zoo Films, which was made in Unreal Engine. Image supplied.
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SAFC announces new staff appointments
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The South Australian Film Corporation is pleased to announce four new staff appointments:
● Film producer Julie Ryan has been appointed Executive, Production.
● Director, producer and screen industry executive Kath McIntyre has been appointed Executive, Development and Industry Development.
● SAFC Associate Executive, Production Nara Wilson has been appointed Executive, First Nations Industry Development.
● SAFC PR & Marketing Manager and communications executive Petra Starke has been appointed Head of Communications and Marketing.
SAFC CEO Kate Croser said: "We are thrilled to welcome Julie Ryan and Kath McIntyre to the SAFC as new executives in our Production and Development team. Both Julie and Kath bring great depth of experience, a wealth of knowledge and extensive networks across the screen industry in South Australia and globally.
"Likewise, we are delighted to appoint current SAFC staff members Nara Wilson and Petra Starke to the new roles of First Nations Industry Development Executive, and Head of Communications and Marketing respectively. Nara and Petra’s professionalism and commitment to their roles during their time at the SAFC have been an invaluable asset to the agency, and we look forward to their continued success within the organisation."
Julie Ryan begins her role on 24 August and Kath McIntyre begins her role on 14 September. Nara Wilson and Petra Starke have already commenced their new roles.
The SAFC has also bid farewell to long-serving staff member Kirsty Cornford, who left the agency last week after more than nine years as Executive Assistant to the CEO.
"With her depth of knowledge of the SA screen sector, SAFC operations and Government protocols, not to mention her professionalism and commitment, Kirsty has been an invaluable asset to the SAFC for the best part of a decade," Ms Croser said.
"On behalf of the organisation I’d like to thank Kirsty for her hard work and dedication, and wish her all the best for her new role."
Recruitment for Kirsty's replacement will begin shortly.
To find out more about the SAFC's new appointees, click here.
Image: Clockwise from top left - Julie Ryan, Kath McIntyre, Nara Wilson, Petra Starke.
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SA back in production with Aftertaste
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Filming is now underway on ABC comedy Aftertaste, the first major production to shoot in South Australia since the global shutdown caused by COVID-19.
Currently shooting across Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills region, the six-part comedy series from Adelaide’s Closer Productions stars Erik Thomson, Rachel Griffiths, Wayne Blair and Susan Prior and will employ 100 SA crew and cast, and almost 200 local extras.
Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said: "The rigorous work done by the SAFC to support Adelaide’s Closer Productions has resulted in screen production re-starting in the state. SA Health has also played a vital role in enabling production to restart safely, and we warmly thank the additional 10 interstate cast and crew for their cooperation and willingness to adhere to SA Health regulations and quarantine requirements."
SAFC CEO Kate Croser said the SAFC-commissioned Deloitte Risk Assessment Tool was crucial to ensuring the production could meet its COVID-safe requirements.
"The Risk Assessment Tool has been instrumental in navigating the path back to production, and providing the framework and structure needed to get this production up and running within COVID-Safe guidelines," Ms Croser said.
"We congratulate Closer Productions on this home-grown ABC primetime comedy commission, the first for a South Australian company, and their determination to get this great new series on screen. They are paving the way for other productions to start shooting in South Australia.
"It is also fantastic to partner again with the ABC to deliver high-quality television content following the success of flagship dramas Stateless and Operation Buffalo, and the recent ABC Children’s titles First Day and Are You Tougher Than Your Ancestors?."
Thomson stars as Easton West, an internationally renowned yet volatile celebrity chef who has a spectacular fall from grace and returns to his hometown in the Adelaide Hills. West endeavours to rebuild his career and restore his reputation, with the help of his talented, young, pastry-chef niece Diana (Natalie Abbott).
Created by Julie De Fina and Matthew Bate and directed by Jonathan Brough (The End, Rosehaven, The Family Law) Aftertaste will premiere next year on ABC.
Aftertaste is a Closer production for the ABC, with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the South Australian Film Corporation and financed with support from the ABC. Producers: Rebecca Summerton, Matthew Bate and Erik Thomson. Executive Producers: Julie De Fina and Rachel Griffiths. ABC Executive Producer: Rebecca Anderson.
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Image: Erik Thomson and Natalie Abbott on location in South Australia for Aftertaste
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