Photos Scott Gelston

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Vincent Sheehan, producer of the Hunter

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Australian director Rowan Woods

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Australian director Gregor Jordan

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Jonathan auf der Heide, director of Van Dieman’s Land

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Camille Chen, director, producer, writer of Little Sparrows

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Simon Longstaff of the St James Ethics Centre

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Producer Trish Lake

Crtitics Reviews

Carol von Opstal

It augurs well for the Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival (BOFA) that on the evening of its launch, the Dungog Film Festival won the IF award for Best Film Festival. Both festivals take place in regional centres, are of an excellent quality, and are notable for bringing a range of high quality films to a broader audience.

Launceston, which boasts the largest film society in Australia, provided a beautiful setting for a film festival. Featuring comfortable, modern venues located within a small radius (requiring no more than an easy stroll between cinemas), and within walking distance from Launceston’s major hotels, the heritage-listed Inveresk precinct was ideal.

After a pilot run in 2010, BOFA débuted this year, with an elegant red carpet function that captured the attention of the press, and which was attended by a warm and receptive audience. Guests were were ushered to the QVMAG, where they were treated to a delicious impressive array of local food and wine, before hearing the opening speeches, and attending the Opening Night feature, Happy, Happy.

From the outset, the convivial nature of the festival was evident, with industry professionals and members of the public mingling freely in a classy but relaxed environment.

BOFA’s aim is to showcase films that “… affect positive change in a modern world”. The brief is broader than one might expect, and allowed for screenings not only of intrinsically positive films, but also challenging ones, that are thought-provoking essays on contemporary life (Lynne Ramsay’s haunting adaptation of Lionel Shriver’s novel, We Need To Talk About Kevin, played to an exceptionally large audience).

Credit should go to the festival Director, Owen Tilbury, his wife, Helen, and their friends and family, who worked tirelessly to get the festival off-the-ground, and for making it such a success. The volunteers and stewards were exceptional: their warmth and friendliness set this festival apart in terms of the atmosphere, which was distinctly pleasant: a breath of fresh air, in fact.

Corporate sponsorship of this event also deserves praise, as the festival would have been an “unknown” enterprise for them when they initially became involved in the project. Special credit should go to My State, whose eagerness to support initiatives that serve the community was patently evident. I was relieved, when talking to employees of My State who attended the festival, to hear that they were so genuine in their support of young filmmakers, as reflected in their sponsorship of the short film awards.

One could excuse an inaugural film festival for being tentative and modest in its line-up. However, in only its first year, BOFA boldly – and successfully – presented the gamut of festival programming, programming an impressive array of excellent films, Q&As, debates, and industry-related events, such as master classes.

There were a number of auspicious events, such as the world premiere of Luke Doolan’s new short, Cryo, as well as a premiere sneak-peak of Beaconsfield, in an excellent presentation given by Production Designer, John Rohde. A debate convened by the St James Ethics Centre: The Screen Is Mightier Than The Sword (moderated by the urbane but suitably measured Simon Longstaff), was stimulating and entertaining, and will be broadcast on television.

Such events would be noteworthy in any Australian festival, but were especially impressive in a festival in its first year. The calibre of the guests that attended and were supportive of the festival, such as Rohan Woods (The Boys), Jonathon auf der Heide (Van Diemen’s Land), Michael Rymer (Face To Face), Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey (Cryo), was a testament to the faith Australian filmmakers have in BOFA.

More importantly, the guests of the festival were approachable. How many festivals can boast an environment in which film critics and members of the public can engage in conversation with industry guests?

Indeed, one of (many) highlights for me, was an informal discussion I had with Rohan Woods, about Snowtown, especially as when I reviewed Snowtown, I had contrasted the approach taken by Justin Kerzel, with Wood’s own film The Boys. I was utterly delighted to hear that Rohan shared my avid appreciation of the understated but portentous opening credit sequence to Animal Kingdom, devised by Jeremy Saunders, and abetted by Antony Partos’s evocative music.

Speaking of Blue Tongue Films: another highlight, was interviewing Luke Doolan and Drew Bailey, following the world premiere of Luke’s new short, Cryo. The Lads at Blue Tongue are multi-skilled and, more importantly, multi-talented, and I’ve been eagerly watching Luke’s work since Miracle Fish. In an interview with Luke and Drew, they quite humbly informed me that their multi-skilling is a result of the need to diversify in order to eke out a living in filmmaking. But anyone who’s familiar with their work would be aware of just how modest they were being. Blue Tongue films is the hub of some of Australia’s most multi-talented and collaborative filmmakers.

A major issue in contemporary filmmaking: the democratisation of filmmaking as a result of the ready availability of recording and editing equipment was a theme explored in one of the workshops – Minimal Gear, Maximum Message – presented in conjunction with AFTRS.

Advancements in, and availability of, technology, have levelled the filmmaking playing field, with some high quality results.

Michael Rymer’s film Face To Face, which screened at the festival, was recorded on DSLR, and Digital SLR shorts competition was similarly cutting edge in outlining the prerequisites for submissions: that films be shot on DSLR (except for Tasmanian filmmakers, who were permitted to submit films from a variety of media).

A positive and supportive air pervaded the Devil Awards night, where guests were invited to step outside to view snippets from each of the winning films, which were projected on a screen on the nearby QVMAG building. The winner, Damien Power’s gripping Peekaboo, was selected from finalists who hailed from around the globe.

In keeping with the overall tone of the festival, topics flowed from the workshops to the banter in the major social hub of the festival: The Balcony, where I had an interesting discussion with Director, Camille Chen (Little Sparrows), who revealed that she has written a great deal of material on her smart phone!

Apart from the festival’s vital role in bringing fine films to a broader audience, it was the ability to chat in a relaxed environment about a plethora of film topics with members of the public and other industry professionals, that made BOFA particularly rewarding. Such discourse is essential, but as we all know, it happens far too rarely.

The festival promised a feast of Big Ideas, which were well introduced by the debates and workshops. But where better to delve into them, but in a relaxed back social setting?

It was, indeed, a breath of fresh air.

Greg King

The inaugural Breath Of Fresh Air Film Festival screens in Launceston from November 23 through until November 27. Held over five days, the festival is screening is a mix of new films, documentaries, Australian features, and films that have done the festival circuit. There are also a number of master classes, debates, and several directors will be in attendance for Q&A sessions.

The Breath Of Fresh Air Film Festival kicked off in fine style on Wednesday night with the lavish black-tie opening night function. VIP guests arrived at Launceston’s Inveresk Precinct in a fleet of classic cars. The champagne and beer flowed freely, as did the canapes and finger food. The vibe was positive, and everyone seemed to be looking forward to the inaugural film festival. I rubbed shoulders with the likes of Face To Face director Michael Rymer, in the foyer of the QVMAG Museum. Festival director Owen Tilbury and other official guests made some welcoming speeches and spoke about the effort in getting this fresh festival up and running. People had a chance to view Patrick Bradley’s photographic portrait of a number of film stars, including Morgan Freeman, Cameron Diaz that were part of the Stories Of Cinema Exhibit that would run throughout the five days of the festival.

Then it was off to see the opening night film Happy Happy, the debut film from Norwegian director Anne Sewitsky. A popular audience award winner at the Sundance Film Festival, Happy Happy is a comedy about sex, family, dysfunctional relationships and finding happiness. It was an enjoyable and edgy comedy, but not the strongest film with which to open the festival.

Over five days the festival screened a mix of Australian films, documentaries, films that have done the festival circuit, and a few Australian premiers. But what added interest to the program were the Q&A’s that followed some of the screenings. But there were also Masterclass sessions, conducted by the likes of Rowan Woods (director of The Boys, etc) and Gregor Jordan (Two Hands, etc), who spoke about the problems of getting their films made. There was also a debate, testing the idea that “The Screen Is Mightier Than The Sword” and ideas about the influence of the media. These sessions were very well attended and were informative. There was also a short film competition, with entries received from Australia, England and the US. I spoke to Haydn Kwan, a Melbourne-based film maker, whose short Red Orchid was screening in competition, and we spoke about his film and the importance of festivals like this in exposing short films to audiences. This competition was judged by Woods and Jordan. The winner was Damien Power’s Peekaboo, a 10-minute suspense thriller with a nice surprising twist at the end.

Channel 9 and Southern Star are making a telemovie about the Beaconsfield mine disaster, which will hit the small screen on Anzac Day 2012. But audiences at BOFA got a special sneak preview of the production, courtesy of production designer Jon Rhode, who talked about the production itself, and showed photographs of the production itself. He also showed a few clips from the series to whet our appetites. Miners Brant Webb and Todd Russell were in attendance and answered some questions at the end of the presentation, and I was able to ask them what it felt like reliving the events while working on the movie and seeing their plight recreated.

I also hosted a Q&A session with film directors Luke Doolan (the AFI award winning Miracle Fish, etc) and Camille Chen, whose debut film Little Sparrows screened at the festival. The discussion touched upon their respective journeys as film makers, in funding their films, the importance of festivals, and a little bit about their careers. Doolan has amassed an amazing amount of credits for one so young, having also worked as an editor and cinematographer on a number of important Australian films, including Animal Kingdom. He also premiered his new short film Cryo, an ambitious 15-minute sci-fi adventure, at the festival. He is also working on the Hollywood blockbuster The Great Gatsby, which is being shot in Sydney by Baz Luhrmann, and starring Leonardo Di Caprio, although he was unable to speak at length about the production.

In all, it was a surprisingly impressive debut for the Breath Of Fresh Air Film Festival, and the feedback was uniformly positive. It augers well for next year.

The Tasmanian Breath of Fresh Air
(BOFA) Film Festival

2012 “Essence of Tasmania”
Short Film Competition

Tourism Tasmania is sponsoring 4 x AUD5, 000 prizes to filmmakers who can capture the essence of Tasmania.

Brief

Do you have the creative flair to capture the essence of Tasmania in less than three minutes?

Engage and inspire others to explore Tasmania and pick up AUD5, 000 for your troubles.

Tourism Tasmania believes that short film is the perfect medium to showcase all that is brilliant about Tassie; from its natural beauty to the characters that dwell here. This is not about making a television commercial; this is about telling Tasmania’s story in your way. Be as creative as you wish. You might see Tasmania through the eyes of a visitor, follow the path of your convict ancestors, tell an evocative tale, or take a quirky approach.

Your film could be used to promote Tasmania to the world in various forms of communication including social media.

Practical Requirements

The Tasmanian Breath of Fresh Air (BOFA) Film Festival, Australia’s newest and freshest film festival in conjunction with Tourism Tasmania invites you to capture the “Essence of Tasmania” in a short film in English or subtitled, shot in high definition and no longer than 3 minutes in any of the following genres:

• drama;
• documentary;
• humour (comedy);
• romance;
• grand adventure;
• sci-fi

Tell us a story, with a beginning, middle and end. It may be quirky; unique; distinctive; imaginative; unforgettable; breathtaking; funny; sad; evocative; exciting; or simply beautiful. The context for your film is Tasmania; but the context does not necessitate footage shot in Tasmania. Entry is open to anyone anywhere in the world who satisfy the other eligibility criteria.

FREE USE OF AUDIO NETWORK PRODUCTION MUSIC

As an Essence of Tasmania entrant, this gives you access to over 43,000 high quality tracks, produced by some of the world’s leading composers in film and television and it’s free! Click here to apply for the free access.

Entry Form

Entry Brief and Terms & Conditions

NOTE: Following enquiries made directly regarding the terms and conditions of the competition, BOFA provides the following additional information to entrants:

• - The promoter of this Competition is BOFA, and BOFA is responsible for judging and contacting winners. Your film could be used to promote Tasmanian to the world in variousforms of communication including social media. Your film could be screened at the 2012 Tasmanian Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival.
• - Your Film as defined in the terms and conditions is Your Film in its entirety
• - Your Film will not be distorted or modified and will be only be reproduced as entered in accordance with your moral rights as the creator of the Film
• - The Promoter and the Sponsor may assign or sub-licence the Rights in whole or in part to any third party for the sole purpose of promoting Tasmania to the world.
• - Winners will be awarded by presentation of a cheque of AUD $5,000 in the name of the winning entrant

For assistance with location and facilities advice and crewing please contact Jane Stapleton at Screen Tasmania – Jane.Stapleton@screen.tas.gov.au : 03 6233 5904 or
Owen Tilbury – Festival Director, Tasmanian Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival director@bofa.com.au : 0407 501 287

Important: Changed lodgement requirements:
Entrants are advised to disregard 3.2 and 3.3 in the following Terms and Conditions, as entries are not able to be lodged via withoutabox. The Terms and Conditions have not changed, but the process for lodging your entry has been changed.

Instead, entries must be lodged via www.dropbox.com to submissions@tourismtasmania.com.au. You must submit Your Film in high definition format ( H.264 QuickTime file – 16:9) and the fully competed entry form found at 2012 Entry Form. Receipt of the quicktime file and completed entry form is necessary for a valid entry.

MyState BOFA Film Festival Artistic Director Bradley Patrick said contestants, finalists, celebrities and film lovers feasted on Tasmania’s abundance of fresh produce, and sipped on fine wine while watching the award winning films on a 10m by 10m outdoor screen.

Festival artistic director Bradley Patrick, ‘Abbie’ director Erin good and producer Taylor Litton-Strain with festival director Owen Tilbury after the pair won the award for the best youth film at the 2011 Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival.
Photo by Brodie Weeding

Read the full release here.

The winners of the MyState BOFA Digital SLR Short Film Competition for 2011 are:

Best Tasmanian Short Film:
‘Peekaboo’, Dir. Damien Power, Australia, 10 min
On the train home from the Easter Show, an over-tired little girl is hyped-up by a stranger, who plays a game of ‘peekaboo’ with her, until her mother begins to feel disturbed by the interest he’s showing. A short time later, the girl disappears in a car park and her desperate mother searches. A glimpse of the man from the train fires her imagination, with devastating consequences.

Best International Short Film:
‘Sharfik’, Dir. Karina Gazizova, USA, 14 min
A family living during the period of World War II. Will the most unbearable siege suck the last drop of life out of this once warm and loving family? How does war change the people we need the most?

Best Youth Short Film:
‘Abbie’ Dir. Erin Good, Australia, 8 min. Erin Good from Sydney was in attendance to accept her award.
In a dystopian corporate world idealistic Abbie embarks on the first day of her new job with nervous delight. Her excitement however, is quickly thwarted by the cold intolerance of The Boss and a failed attempt to make friends. The rigid office eventually proves too much even for the indomitable Abbie, but friendships can be formed in unexpected places.

Of the many entries received from America, the United Kingdom and all across Australia the following 15 were shortlisted.

Tasmanian radio 7 HO FM interview
with Jon Rodhe

Meet some of Australia’s leading directors and producers at BOFA and hear them talk about their films.

Vincent Sheehan
The producer of The Hunter, shot in Tasmania- his credits include Animal Kingdom, Mullet and Little Fish, which won 4 AFI awards.
FRIDAY, 1.30PM VILLAGE CINEMA

Michael Rymer
Director of Face to Face, written by David Willamson. His previous film Angel Baby won 7 AFI awards.
THURSDAY, 7.30PM TRAMSHEDS THEATRE

Gregor Jordan
Director of Two Hands, with Heath Ledger, Ned Kelly and Buffalo Soldiers, will co-present the master- class The Director’s Art.
SATURDAY, 10.30AM QVMAG THEATRE

Rowan Woods
Leading Australian director Rowan Woods, whose credits include Chopper and Little Fish, will co-present the master- class The Director’s Art.
SATURDAY, 10.30AM QVMAG THEATRE

Yu Hsiu Camille Chen
Will show her debut feature as director, Little Sparrows, named Best Drama at the WA Screen Awards.
FRIDAY, 1.30PM ANNEXE THEATRE

Jonathon auf der Heide
The director will present his film Van Diemen’s Land, shot in Tasmania
THURSDAY, 3.30PM TRAMSHEDS THEATRE and conduct a screenwriting masterclass.
THURSDAY 10.30AM QVMAG THEATRE

Trish Lake
Producer Trish Lake, will talk with the audience after the screening of her outstanding documentary My America.
FRIDAY, 11AM TRAMSHEDS THEATRE

Lincoln Fenner
Lincoln Fenner, award-winner at the New York City International Film Festival –will speak after the screening of his controversial documentary More 4 Me.
SATURDAY, 12.30PM ANNEXE THEATRE

Vicki Madden
Launceston based screenwriter whose credits include Water Rats and The Bill will co- present a screenwriting masterclass
THURSDAY, 10.30AM QVMAG THEATRE

Stephen Dando-Collins
Tasmanian author whose novel Chance in a Million was filmed starring Billy Connolly, will co- present a screenwriting masterclass.
THURSDAY, 10.30AM QVMAG THEATRE

Sara Cooper
Tasmanian actress with 15 years experience in film, stage and TV. Film credits include Arctic Blast and Rosebery 7470. Will co-present the masterclass Acting the Part.
SATURDAY, 2.30PM QVMAG THEATRE

James Taylor
Experienced Australian actor – credits including features Noise and Pinball and TV movies Hawke and the Underbelly Files. Will co-present the masterclass Acting the Part.
SATURDAY, 2.30PM QVMAG THEATRE

The full program of features, shorts, parties and masterclasses is available now at www.bofa.com.au

Tasmania’s first major film festival will open with a red carpet opening night party followed by the Swedish comedy Happy, Happy, winner of the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Feature. A unique highlight of the Festival will be exclusive preview scenes from the forthcoming television documentary Beaconsfield, the story of the Beaconsfield mine disaster, presented by its producer, John Edwards.

Fred Schepisi’s outstanding production of the Patrick White novel Eye of the Storm, starring Geoffrey Rush, Judy Davis and Charlotte Rampling, and the Irish comedy The Guard with Brendon Gleeson, will both have their first local showing at the Festival.

Standout documentaries include El Bulli, a behind the scenes look at the restaurant of world famous Spanish chef, Ferran Adria, and the stunning Chasing Legends, following Team HTC Columbia through the gruelling Tour de France.

Australian premieres will include the US Todd Edwards comedy Jeffie was Here and the controversial US/African documentary Burning in the Sun.

The MyState BOFA Film Festival will close on Sunday night with the remarkable Polish/Japanese production Tomorrow Will Be Better, award winner at this year’s Berlin International Film Festival. Bookings for any of the Festival’s films or other events can be made now through the web site at Ticket Sales.

––Read more on the Press Release

One of Tasmania’s leading financial institutions, MyState Financial has signed on as naming partner for the 2011 MyState Breath of Fresh Air Film Festival.

MyState, Tasmania’s largest financial institution, has provided banking services to Tasmanians for almost 50 years and is a strong supporter of film in the state.

The company also conducts its own highly successful annual MyState Student Film Festival.

MyState Managing Director John Gilbert said the MyState BOFA Film Festival is set to become one of Tasmania’s largest annual events, with 10,000 expected over the four day event.

“As a prominent member of Tasmania’s community, MyState is a fitting partner for this Festival, which brings people together from all over the world, and particularly here in Tasmania. MyState believes it’s vital to supports events that deliver a positive contribution to our local community, both economically and culturally.”

“As an organisation, it’s important to us that we not only support these events financially, but also contribute to the event to help it grow”.

“There are many planned activities in place that will excite, inspire and entertain visitors to the Festival.”

BOFA Festival Director Owen Tilbury said today that, as BOFA is a not-for-profit organisation set up to give Tasmania a world class annual film festival, it relies on the support of sponsorship partners and volunteers to make it happen.

“We are delighted that MyState have decided to support this exciting project for the state, and welcome them to the 2011 BOFA team.”