The Australian Film Commission (AFC) today launched a suite of new programs under the umbrella title IndiVision, designed to foster innovative approaches to low-budget feature filmmaking in Australia. Eight projects and their creative teams were also announced as the successful applicants for the first round of IndiVision funding.
The IndiVision programs will utilise new Federal Government funding earmarked for low-budget features in the Coalition's election policy 'A World Class Film Industry', and the program has recruited internationally acclaimed local filmmakers to participate, such as Rolf de Heer (Bad Boy Bubby, The Tracker, Alexandra's Project), and Chris Noonan (Vietnam, Police State, Babe).
AFC Director of Film Development Carole Sklan said that while IndiVision is a new and bold initiative, it is based on a strong tradition of successful low-budget filmmaking in Australia, which includes such titles as Proof, Romper Stomper, Bad Boy Bubby, Mullet, The Boys, Love and Other Catastrophes, The Castle and The Finished People.
IndiVision - 'independent, individual and visionary' - comprises a range of specially designed programs that will be funded through the Government's commitment of $15 million over the next three years, as well as an additional $2.5 million in 2004/05.
IndiVision includes:
- IndiVision Project Lab - a high-level professional workshop for eight creative teams with leading local and international advisors on script-writing, performance and cinematic storytelling
- A script development program that will provide ongoing development funding and feedback
- A production fund that can provide funding of up to $1 million for low-budget features
- Marketing assistance to filmmakers to travel to festivals and markets
- IndiVision Screenings - a program of screenings and discussion forums that will showcase outstanding low-budget features from around the world.
The eight teams selected to participate in the first IndiVision Project Lab in February 2005 are:
- Cedar Boys - (p) Daniella Ortega, (w/d) Serhat Caradee
- Hope - (p) Joe Weatherstone, (w/d) Damien Power
- West - (p) Matt Reeder and Anne Robinson, (w/d) Daniel Krige
- Lou - (p) Michael McMahon, Tony Ayres, (w/d) Belinda Chayko
- The Ballad of Tui Lee - (p) Penelope McDonald, (w) Martin Edmond, (d) Pauline Chan and Penelope McDonald
- The Shelter - (p) Lizzette Atkins, (w/d) Sam Macgeorge
- Warm Blood - (p) Rohan Timlock, Lynn-Maree Milburn, (w/d) Amiel Courtin-Wilson
- The Caterpillar Wish - (p) Kate Whitbread, (w/d) Sandra Sciberras.
The IndiVision screenings kick off in Sydney with a three-day program at Palace Norton Street Cinemas Leichhardt, 11-14 February, moving to Melbourne's George Cinemas, St Kilda, 18-20 February and other states to follow. These screenings are aimed at encouraging debate, raising awareness of the possibilities of low-budget filmmaking, and providing inspiration for the local filmmaking community.
Joining de Heer and Noonan to share their experiences at the workshop will be leading international filmmakers Mary Jane Skalski, the US producer of the highly acclaimed The Station Agent, and Lone Scherfig, the Danish writer/director of the hugely successful Dogme film, Italian for Beginners. They both identify low-budget filmmaking as an opportunity to create extraordinary work.
Mary Jane Skalski says, "When you make a low-budget film you are forced to rely on the true strengths of your movie - a great script, great acting and a director with a vision. Without money to hide behind, the production is stripped to those essentials and in the end you realise that those are the things you need to make a film; the rest is all gravy."
Ms Sklan said IndiVision would empower Australian filmmakers to develop their films with flair, imagination and rigour.
"We have conceived a program that focuses on finding creative solutions to the constraints of a budget - creative solutions that will strengthen the film and go to the heart of the storytelling," she said.
Industry Notification
2005 deadlines for production funding for low-budget features are 21 January and 15 July 2005. Applicants can apply for up to $1 million for a feature, and other financing can be added to this.
Deadline for the next round of the IndiVision workshop and development funding is 2 September 2005. The workshop is open to filmmakers of all levels, including experienced practitioners, who are interested in exploring this new approach to filmmaking. |
