I’ve finally started making some short films out of the video I shot whilst in Anchorage for the Film Festival. Here’s film number one:

A Streetsweeper In Alaska December 2008

NM

Did anyone hear the radio interview today on ABC Newcastle? N

Bridgetown, Western Australia, tomorrow night!

I just shot a corporate video–a lot to do & not enough time, as usual–in Sydney, with Marin, and some other great actors, Wahdi & Malcom, and Chrissy, an actor I haven’t had the pleasure of working with since we made Fresh Air, ten years ago, and she is also one of our original sponsors: top chick. Working with these actors on this shoot just reminded me of how much talent is out there & how little opportunity there is for them to do their best.

Toby just called from a shoot that he’s doing on fishing boat heading out to open sea.

We are still piecing together the tour & would love to hear from people with ideas as to where might be a good place–on the East Coast–to screen Streetsweeper.

I’ve just discovered that Streetsweeper will actually open Bridgetown Film Festival in WA. Our film screens with short film Hells Gate on the 29th of January if you are in the area!

We shot Streetsweeper (over three days) between Christmas & New Year’s Eve back in 2006 and we finished post-production (editing, music & sound design) in the middle of 2007 just in time for Revelation, Perth International Film Festival. Since then we have entered many International Film Festivals in Australia and Overseas.

We always thought that we had made a film that would probably work best in front of a Film Festival audience but over the past 18 months we have not had much success getting into such Festivals. Toby has already spent a couple of thousand dollars on entry fees & delivery items, without much reward. Now, of course, we have just won BEST FEATURE FILM (Jury Prize) at the Anchorage  International Film Festival. And that’s gotta mean something, right? Afterall, the warm & intelligent response we got in Alaska was rewarding & encouraging.

So? What now? Well, we are going to enter a few more Festivals now that the film has won some International recognition. But we’re not going to keep entering Festivals forever. It’s just not sustainable (unless we find a new & very generous sponsor? Any suggestions welcome). meanwhile we are continuing with our plans for a grassroots tour of the film down the East Coast of Australia, where we plan to screen Streetsweeper to small-ish but enthusiastic audiences in alternative venues like Halls & Cafes (and, again, we’d appreciate any constructive suggestions).

We are committed to the long tail slow cinema approach… and look forward to screening the film to more discerning cinema-goers, wherever they may be. NM

DOWN UNDER  vs UP OVER

23°C (73.4°F) or 23°F (-5°C)

Today I am hot & sweaty & stressed & anxious & down…

… last Friday I was cold & dry & relaxed & happy & up.

NM

I am in Hawaii, for one night only: expensive but crap hotel in middle of tourist hell.

I can’t say enough how great this trip to Alaska has been. Thank you, again, to everyone in Anchorage who were so friendly & encouraging.

Walrus Penis Bone anyone?

It’s 5 in the morning on my last night in Anchorage. It’s been a whirlwind. Alaska? It fucking rocks.

It was officially announced today that Streetsweeper has won Best Film at the Anchorage International Film Festival, Alaska.

When I was first told I thought someone was taking the piss or that I was at the centre of some kind of elaborate Truman Show style hoax for Pay TV. But…

We won & the film screens again on a very big screen on Saturday Night. It’s exciting & weird.

I wouldn’t be here in Alaska to experience this if it wasn’t everyone who has supported the film in any way over the past 2 years. Cheers. NM