One of the richest Australian film festivals and home of the only Australian film Scholarship prize, The Commonwealth Bank Reel Deal Short Film Festival, gave away over $20,000 in cash and prizes at the gala awards ceremony on Saturday August 2. The Reel Deal awards night was hosted by comedian Kitty Flannigan and what a great night it turned out to be. The evening was attended by Bryan Brown, patron of the festival who lends his name to the film scholarship. Rachel Ward, acclaimed director Mark Joffe as well as TV and Radio personality Jonathan Coleman, and guest judge Serhat Caradee amongst others were also present. With the involvement of influential industry professionals like AFTRS, UWS, TVS and the Cumberland News Group, the awards are not just a “back slapping” exercise, but a great opportunity for young film makers to showcase their talent and work in front of people who can help shape their careers. Plus the practical and generous cash support from sponsors including the Commonwealth Bank, Bankstown City Council and Revesby Workers’ Club to help their dreams turn into reality. This year the calibre of entries was so high the decisions faced by the judges was difficult to say the least. The level of skill displayed by the finalists was exceptional across the board. A number of 2008 finalists were return entrants from previous years. Rob Leggo and Kiah Roach-Turner in particular produced outstanding short films, proving that the encouragement received from influential people like Bryan Brown has motivated them to improve themselves and return to the festival with an even higher standard of work. The result was two films which each claimed three awards on the night, and left Bryan Brown unable to choose one above the other for the major prize. Brown instead opted to award the scholarship to the winner of a coin toss on stage at the awards, because both young men were equally deserving of the accolade. Rob Leggo was the lucky winner of the coin toss and was awarded the Bryan Brown film scholarship. The Commonwealth Bank $5,000 Best Film award this year went to Kiah Roache-Turner for ROAD RUNNER. RAGE OF JUSTICE by Toby Morris & Nicholas Aplin took the $1,000 Peoples Choice Award sponsored by Bankstown City Council. And our youngest ever entrant, Daniel Woods at just 13 years of age, was awarded $1,000 as an encouragement award to develop his potential as an animator. The film festival has become so popular that a 13 year old believed he has a chance to show his talent, what a great achievement. Over 200 people attended the 2008 awards night with many celebrating the quality and enthusiasm of our next generation of young film makers. We are looking forward to a fantastic Reel Deal in 2009 which will be announced shortly so visit the website www.reeldeal.com.au. “We are so proud of all our finalist and want to send a big congratulations. Also we would like to extend a big thank you to all our judges and sponsors for a great year” says Amanda Mikhail, Marketing Manager, Revesby Workers Club. “We look forward to an even bigger 2009 Reel Deal Film Festival, with more talent” For further information, please contact:
There’s over $20,000 in cash and prizes to be won again this year, including the Bryan Brown Film Scholarship, valued at over $5,000. The criteria for 2008 is a little different from previous years. This year films will have the choice of an urban or outback location. Each film will need to incorporate at least one scene shot, on location in either Bankstown or Broken Hill. Filmmakers will also have to incorporate a specified item or topic in their film in some way. This item or topic however will not dictate the storyline or theme of any film and entrants can develop and produce the storyline and genre of their choice. Animation entries whilst obviously not bound by the location criteria, will need to incorporate the same item or topic in their work. The theme for 2008 will be divulged on Friday April 4. From that date, all film makers will also be given 12 weeks to develop and produce their films. We hope this revised criteria will allow for an even great creative freedom for film makers in both content and location and we continue to see the quality and quantity of entrants grow. Bryan Brown is the Patron of The Real Deal Short Film Festival.
On Friday April 4, the 2008 Brief, detailing this years item or topic will be released. Information will be available on this website as well as in person from Revesby Workers Club. Filmmakers have up to 12 weeks to script, shoot, craft and edit their films which must be no longer than 7 minutes duration, including titles and credits. Animation entries whilst incorporating the same item or topic, must be 2 minutes or more in duration, including credits and titles. Registrations commence from 9.30am, Friday April 4, 2008. You can download the registration forms together with the brief sheet from the Reel Deal website, or collect them in person from Revesby Workers’ Club at any time from these dates. All entry forms and release forms can be downloaded for the Reel Deal Website. It’s a good idea to download your forms early and have them completed before submitting final registration forms. All entry/registration forms must be submitted, together with a registration fee at Revesby Workers’ Club, 2B Brett Street, Revesby NSW 2212 before 5pm Monday 16 June, 2008. Entry fee is $30 per film and must be paid at time of registration. This covers insurances and public liability. All films, both animation and general entries, must be completed and either posted or handed in at Revesby Workers’ Club by 5pm Monday, June 30, 2008. All finalist films will be shown at a public screening on Sunday July 13, 2008, which will take place at Revesby Workers’ Club. Patrons will be invited to vote for their favourite film at this screening to determine the People’s Choice Award. All winners will be announced at the official Awards ceremony on Saturday August 2, 2008.
The major prize, valued at $5,000 and provided by Revesby Workers’ Club, is the Bryan Brown Film Scholarship for the most outstanding achievement in any discipline. The scholarship winner can select any relevant film course conducted by AFTRS, the University of Western Sydney or any other recognized film school in Australia, to further their chosen field of expertise. Participants must nominate on their entry form, whether they wish to be considered for this prize. There is also a $5,000 cash prize for Best Film, sponsored by the Commonwealth Bank. $1,000 cash prizes will be awarded in all other categories.
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There are a few new developments for this year’s festival. Basically, film makers will only have two requirements for their entries this year. Films will have to use either Bankstown or Broken Hill as a location and they will have to incorporate just one specific item or theme which will be divulged via a brief on April 4. Animation entries will have to use the same theme or item. Film makers will also be given 3 months to develop and produce their films instead of the usual 4 weeks. We hope the new revised criteria will allow for an even great creative freedom for film makers in both content and location and we continue to see the quality and quantity of entrants grow. “Text Me”, Reel Deal’s 2007 Best Film and scholarship winner, was accepted into this years international Flickerfest event and a 2006 acting entrant has just completed a film in the USA with Robert De Nero and Dustin Hoffman. Just a couple of examples of the success of the event in fostering new talent. You’ll also notice that 2008 Commonwealth Bank Reel Deal Short Film Festival has a revamped website. Come back soon for more news and developments! |
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