Countdown to Hollywood in the Outback
It’s just 5 weeks to Winton’s Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival, coined “Hollywood in the Outback”. The 2017 program paying tribute to women in film, was officially launched in Brisbane this week where the bush came to the city to announce a new initiative, the Vision Splendid Film Institute developing a long term vision for cinema in the Outback.
Much loved actor and festival patron, Mr Roy Billing OAM, was joined by Screen Queensland CEO, Ms Tracey Vieira to officially launch the 2017 festival. Ms Vieira highlighted the importance of this year’s festival theme in celebration of women in film in a largely male dominated industry, where women make up over 51% of the Australian population, but are underrepresented in the film industry, with females directing just 16% of Australian feature films.
Emerging filmmakers Madeleine Kennedy and Ellie Popov of Mad Lane Productions joined the stage to share their love of Winton as an untouched gem for filmmakers and its cultural importance for the Australian film industry.
During the launch Festival Director, Mark Melrose, announced an exciting new initiative by the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival in conjunction with the Winton Shire Council and Griffith Film School to introduce the Vision Splendid Institute in Winton. The institute will offer 2 week intensive courses for students to create films in the QLD outback region and continue to develop further courses through graduate programs. This year 60 students will be heading to Winton during the time of the festival to hone their crafts in the Outback Hollywood, including students from China and India.
The Festival’s Creative Director, Dr Greg Dolgopolov, revealed the festival’s preliminary program which features over 30 films, fifty percent of which are written, directed and/or star women in a prominent, independent role. “We’ve specifically identified films that pass the Bechdel Test. During the festival we don’t just screen films” explained Dolgopolov. “We plan films, we talk about films, we find a common language and work together.” In addition to this year’s programming, the festival will host a number of world premiers and Queensland premiers for films that deserve an audience as special as that found in Australia’s Outback Hollywood”.
Special guests to this year’s festival will include Australian film industry critic, producer and television personality, Margaret Pomeranz AM, Australian film directors, actresses and writers including Sally Aitkin, Edwina Exton, Alicia Banit, Trish Lake, Megan Riakos, Sara West and Maya Stange (just to name a few).
The intensive nine day program will also feature a number of events with special guests, live music entertainment and an exciting free kids club program.
“The Festival is a not-for-profit incorporated association of local Winton representatives and film industry professionals keen to keep the spirit of Australian film and culture alive in the bush” said Melrose.
For tickets and information about Winton, visit www.visionsplendidfilmfest.com
INTERVEIWS
Dr Greg Dolgopolov, Festival Film Curator/Artistic Director M: 0424 610 123
Mr Mark Melrose, Festival Director M 0461 158 697
Cr Butch Lenton, Mayor, Winton Shire Council M 0438 361 038
Mr Roy Billing, Actor (mobile number available on request)
MEDIA SUPPORT
Krista Hauritz M 0421 148 098 E krista@kristahauritz.com.au
2017 DOWNLOADABLE FESTIVAL PROGRAM
HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cfl2gbwo2llrkdr/AABHIo9sO5M9XBj1JMI0u01Ha?dl=0
2017 FESTIVAL TRAILER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBKvTcS1KUo&t=2s
FESTIVAL DRONE FOOTAGE
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5SLXgSb6r8iQVpBYmkydnlLdWs
SMALL TOWN TURNS INTO CINEMATIC HUB – NEWS CLIP
STATISICS FOR AUSTRALIAN WOMEN WORKING IN FILM
https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2015/na_150527_womeninfilm