A collection of new micro films are set to Go Viral! in the latest project from Screenworks. All three regional offerings will come from the Northern Rivers.
Altogether five NSW-based filmmaking teams will be supported to make their high impact micro-films after being selected for Go Viral!, a Screenworks initiative delivered in partnership with and funded by Create NSW and supported by Co-Curious.
Go Viral! aims to unearth the ground-breaking filmmakers of the future by funding and supporting them to create micro-films that will disrupt the online space with truly motivating content that connects effectively with its target audiences.
Following a competitive application process with content creators of all skill levels – ranging from a first-timer to experienced filmmakers being assessed by the panel, five teams were selected. They include Matty Hannon and Gary Parker of the Northern Rivers, David Lowe and Eve Jeffery of Cloudcatcher Media from The Channon, Chris Davis of Lennox Head, Nicole Delprado and Joanna Beveridge of Sighence Projects in Sydney and Vonne Patiag and Shelia Ngoc Pham of Western Sydney.
Screenworks CEO, Ken Crouch says the ambition for Go Viral! is to find a diversity of voices from across NSW and support them to create original micro-films to disrupt the digital space. ‘We’re looking forward to working with these filmmakers to produce a varied slate of entertaining and emotive content.’
Create NSW Acting Director Screen Investment, Engagement and Attraction Sally Regan said they are delighted by the five successful teams selected for this year’s Go Viral! initiative. ‘Matty, Gary, David, Eve and Chris are great representatives of the growing emerging talent from regional NSW, and it’s great to continue to support Vonne, Sheila, Nicole and Joanna who have previously received Screenability and Generator: Emerging Filming Fund support.’
Screenworks will support the selected regional filmmakers for the Go Viral! project and Western Sydney based organisation Co-Curious will support the selected Sydney-based filmmakers.
‘We were really impressed with the quality of the applications submitted for Go Viral! and the range of exciting and meaningful project ideas that were put forward,’ said S. Shakthidharan from Co-Curious ‘Co-Curious is looking forward to working with Vonne and Sheila and Nicole and Joanna and helping bring these important stories to life.’
Each of the selected filmmaking teams will receive a grant of $4,000 to make their short film and work closely with stakeholders to hone their scripts and ideas before filming starts in early 2019.
One of the regional teams is Cloudcatcher Media from The Channon. Cloudcatcher’s David Lowe said the Go Viral! selection was wonderful news. ‘After several years making environmental docos, we are happy to get back to our drama roots and this Go Viral! film Welcome to the Machine is going to be a powerful way to combine social conscience film-making with dramatic storytelling.
‘Poker machine addiction is a problem close to our hearts and we are thrilled to be able to tackle it this way.
‘It’s also fantastic to see three projects representing the vibrant Northern Rivers screen community being supported in this great initiative from Screenworks and Create NSW.’
The final films will be unleashed in mid 2019.
For more information or interviews please go to www.screenworks.com.au/goviral.
