Update. Nearing the end of 2011….

“… Every once and a while you come across some filmmakers that actually “get it”. People who are passionate about their craft – and just want to make movies that THEY want to watch. People who want to push boundaries and achieve the seemingly impossible….

As a result, we’re proudly supporting the UK team behind The Underwater Realm. Because without inspiring and passionate people like this – our industry would be really boring….” – Chris Hocking, LateNite Films.

A quick shout out to David from Realm Pictures – for inspiring us all to keep our ambitions ridiculously high. Please make sure you see and support their project “The Underwater Realm” – because if they can pull this off, the future of independent film-making will be changed forever.

The last few months since my update in September have been a bit hectic. Here’s why.

THE TOUR DE TIMOR

This was epic. See my previous blog post to read why.

After coming home from Timor, I was on the road again – this time in rural Victoria and New South Wales! Filming an awesome little roadtrip with the crew from Brasserie Bread in Sydney! They basically needed to transport their “sacred” sourdough starter to a new Melbourne location, and along the way they wanted to visit, film a documentary and discover other Artisan businesses. I loved this – we basically just visited and filmed small family-run businesses sharing amazing food, wine and views….

Once back in Melbourne – it was time for the annual 48 Hour Film Project! SO EXCITED to win an onslaught of awards including Best film!!! Now we all need to prep to to to NEW MEXICO next year in March to compete in the INTERNATIONAL COMP! WOOOO!!!WOO!

This month I FINALLY made it to my favourite meet-up in Melbourne – Doco3000! To my AWESOME surporise, I finally met Cassie De Colling – who directed a wonderful little short film called “Beneath the Boarder”. I stumbled across this project when I was shortlisted for the World Nomad Documantary Scholarship! a few months back. I highly recommend you check it out!!!

I also got the oppertunity to go to some incredible premieres. Most favourably – “On Borrowed Time” by David Bradbury.

This film captured not only the essence of independant film-making in Melbourne, but also the essence of what it really means to be an Artist anywhere in the world. It explores mortality in such a profound way – I haven’t really stopped thinking about this film since I left the cinema.

I caught up with Bradbury a few days later to hear his thoughts on the industry and future direction of documentary films. It was quite sobering to hear that his immaculate film has not yet been picked up for further distribution. Independent digital distribution has never been more important. On that note – it was very exciting to hear that the wonderful distributers of “The Tunnel” movie are soon to launch a new distribution platform! We’ll be watching closely to see how that goes! Check out the article here.

Another Premiere I was able to attend was “Miss Representation” with a panel of speakers;

Michael Ullmer (Former Deputy CEO, NAB)
Amanda Sinclair (Foundation Professor / Managment Diversity & Change)
Janet Matton (Vice President, IBM Aus/NZ)

I found the documentary quite bias – but still worth watching, especially for schools and education programs.

On Cup Eve I filmed an insane gig. It was a little bit hectic. Performers included HAVANA BROWN, MGMC and dj NINO BROWN. Awesome footage.

I also got to attend some pretty insane events – probably the biggest party I went to this year was the NIGHTLIFE EXCHANGE, which has such a cool concept! WE GOT GREECE!

Meanwhile – I continue to find and support inspiring films around the globe. You can keep track of who I’m funding via my profile on both Kickstarter and IndiGoGo.

Huge congrats to the team at Gwapa (“Beautiful”) – who have been spamming everyones about their upcoming indie-film. It looks like it will be something truely gorgeous… can’t wait to see how it turns out!!

Fellow Melbourne film-makers have also been busy – with my good friend Mark heading off to IRAQ !! I noticed yesterday he had also started a crowd-funding campaign on the awesome Pozible site. Check out his campaign!

But as the year is coming to a close – and post-production wraps up – Pre-Production for the next projects begin to simmer….. and nothing is more exciting than the new collaboration with my two partners in crime – the incredible DESH and NINA.

Desh, is the most awesome person I met this year. He can, literally, do anything. He is a rockstar. He runs amazing events – most impressively of all, was THINKinc.

Who would have believed that a ridiculously young 20-something could bring all these guys to our shores!!!! >>

Niel deGrasse Tyson
Christopher Hitchens
Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Tim Flannery
Michael Shermer
Father Bob (!!!)
Shane Koyczan

and most awesomely of all…. Cristina Rad! Rad.

Yup. Desh is awesome. And next year, Desh, Nina and myself will hopefully be embarking on a pretty cool documentary project to be announced soon.

In between everything else I’ve also been really enjoying working with melbourne production house Suitcase Murphey. I really look up to these guys. Mainly, because as their motto states, they really know how to “Tell Good Stories”.

We’ve been working on the Creative Innovations Conference - which has been really fascinating. Some incredible content.

BUT OF COURSE aside from all of this – since returning back from Cambodia all those months ago – I have been knee deep in post-production for our independent documentary SPINNING DREAMS. THERE IS SO MUCH exciting news from this project that I will be updating you all on this further down the track. Here’s just a few sneak photos from the amazing Singapore event (which itself raised over $10k)