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QPIX STUDENTS ARE TROPFEST FINALISTS
Graduates of QPIX’s 2011 Diploma of Production course have won their way into the finals of TROPFEST, the world’s largest short film festival, with their student production PHOTOBOOTH. Set in the Afghanistan conflict, PHOTOBOOTH is one of a sequence of...
'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu' Out February 10
(Nationwide)
Over The Fence Comedy Film Deadline
(Nationwide)
Rottofest 2012: Call For Entries Now Open!
(Nationwide)
latest news
Geoffrey Rush Joins Tropfest
The acclaimed actor and newly-crowned Australian of the Year, Geoffrey Rush, will be a key player in 2012’s Tropfest activities.
Naomi Watts To Play Princess Diana
The Aussie actress is set to play the people’s princess in an upcoming film that chronicles the final two years of Diana’s life.
Sullivan Stapleton Signs On To ‘300’ Prequel
The Aussie actor has beat out the competition to land a role in the upcoming blockbuster.
James Cameron Loses Long Time Australian Collaborators
Producer Andrew Wight and cinematographer Mike deGruy lose their lives in a helicopter crash.
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And the canape goes to
The Aria Fine Arts Awards were held earlier this week and FILMINK got dressed up for the occasion.
I finally received my first invitation to a major awards ceremony and the dress code was "cocktail". Cocktail?! Not fair, I was hanging out for my first opportunity to call Collette Dinnigan and ask for my freebie gown to wear down the red carpet. The Aria Fine Arts Awards was a simple affair, however, with few gowns in sight and fewer canapés to soothe the injustice of the dress code. Yet, though it was a simple night, it was enjoyable - if only more award ceremonies had only four awards and five performances! The Academy Awards would be far more watchable...
Established as a stand-alone event five years ago with the intention of offering musicians of more "refined" genres the recognition they deserve without their thunder being stolen by whichever travelling pop sensation attended the main ceremony, the awards are intended for the more reserved, "cultured" bunch who rather enjoyed Bach sonatas - performed by Aria Award winners for Best Classical Album, from Richard Tognetti's esteemed ensemble, Neal Peres De Costa and Daniel Yeadon (who confessed to their undying love for each other on stage) - and I was right there with them, transported back to 18th century Germany by the dulcet tones of the harpsichord and the viola de gamba. A more sprightly performance came from the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical, fresh from a triumphant run in London. Unfortunately we were left wanting when it came to the award for Best Soundtrack as, although congratulations are due to Chris Lilley (for Summer Heights High), if he'd been there, we could have had Ja`ime...
Jack Thompson hosted the evening in his typical Aussie bloke style, (including the odd wry dig at Bill Hunter), with other presenters including Bruce Beresford, Paul Dyer and opera stars Emma Matthews and Phillip Langridge. It was an interesting choice for host, although if you believed Jack it seems he was close personal friends with most of the award winners so perhaps that's why they got him along.
Further congratulations must go to other award winners: Andrea Keller for Best Jazz Album and Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu for Best World Music Album. Geoffrey may receive more awards at the main ceremony on October 19 as he has also been nominated for Best Album, Best Male Artist and Best Independent Release and, all up, I was pleased that I was able to attend the awards, although next time I'm invited along, I want it to be something I need a SERIOUS dress for...