By Travis Johnson
The nominations for the inaugural Ozflix Independent Film Awards (the “Ozzies”) have been announced, encompassing an impressive cross-section of incredible Australian filmmaking talent.
Presented by Ozflix and taking place this coming Saturday, April 7 2018 at The Alex Theatre, St Kilda, the awards celebrate the achievements of independent Australian films with a budget of $5 million or under. The awards will be streamed around the world via the Ozflix movie streaming service, and have been brought to life thanks to generous support from sponsors including The Alex Theatre, Screenhub, First Australian Completion Bond (FACB) and Mind The Gap Film Finance, along with category sponsors Starnow, Soundfirm, PTB Screen and National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA).
And the Nominees are:
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Blue
Deep Water: The Real Story
The Family
The Opposition
The Song Keepers
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN INDIGENOUS FILMMAKING
Sponsored by Mind The Gap Film Finance
After The Apology
Bastard
In My Own Words
Occupation: Native
Sweet Country
BEST FILM UNDER $500,000 BUDGET:
Hunters Club: Skateboard Or Die
Lazy Bones
Pawno
Pulse
That’s Not Me
BEST FILM UNDER $2 MILLION BUDGET
Sponsored by FACB Guarantors
Emo The Musical
Hounds Of Love
The Legend Of Ben Hall
What If It Works?
Zelos
BEST FILM UNDER $5 MILLION BUDGET
Sponsored by FACB Guarantors
Bad Girl
The Butterfly Tree
The Colour Of Darkness
Sweet Country
BEST WEB SERIES
Attack! Attack! Art!
Justice Lease
Kiki & Kitty
Lenny In Love
Method
Restoration
Shakespeare Republic
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Colour of Darkness
Emo The Musical
Hounds of Love
The Legend of Ben Hall
Sweet Country
That’s Not Me
What If It Works?
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Boneyard Run
Blue
Deep Water : The Real Story
Hounds of Love
The Opposition
Sweet Country
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
The Battle of Fire Support Base Coral
The Butterfly Tree
The Colour of Darkness
Hounds of Love
The Legend of Ben Hall
Sweet Country
BEST SOUND DESIGN
Sponsored by Soundfirm – Winner to receive Soundfirm credit account to the value of $5,000
The Battle of Fire Support Base Coral
Blue
Deep Water: The Real Story
The Hunters Club: Skateboard or Die
The Song Keepers
Sweet Country
BEST SPECIAL VISUAL EFFECTS
The 5th Shadow
The Battle of Fire Support Base Coral
The Butterfly Tree
Event Zero
Skinford
Top Knot Detective
BEST EDITING
Sponsored by Soundfirm – Winner to receive Soundfirm credit account to the value of $5,000
Blue
Deep Water: The Real Story
The Family
The Opposition
Sweet Country
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
The 5th Shadow
After The Apology
Event Zero
The Hunters Club: Skateboard or Die
Lost Gully Road
Rough Stuff
BEST COSTUME
The Butterfly Tree
The Colour of Darkness
Event Zero
The Legend of Ben Hall
Skinford
Sweet Country
Top Knot Detective
BEST DIRECTION – NARRATIVE
The Colour of Darkness
Hounds of Love
The Hunters Club: Skateboard or Die
The Legend of Ben Hall
Pawno
Sweet Country
That’s Not Me
BEST DIRECTION – DOCUMENTARY
Blue
Boneyard Run
Deep Water: The Real Story
The Family
The Opposition
The Song Keepers
BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE
Sponsored by Starnow – Cash Prize $1,000
Anna Samson – What If It Works?
Ash Ricardo – Event Zero
Ashleigh Cummings – Hounds of Love
Hayley McCarthy – Justice Lease
Lydia Mocerino – Dailies
Miranda O’Hare – Indigo Lake
Melissa George – The Butterfly Tree
BEST MALE PERFORMANCE
Sponsored by Starnow – Cash Prize $1,000
Bryan Brown – Sweet Country
Stephen Curry – Hounds Of Love
Hamilton Morris – Sweet Country
Luke Ford – What If It Works?
Gareth Rickards – Rough Stuff
Malcolm Kennard – Pawno
Mark Coles Smith – Pawno
There will also be a Special Jury Prize for Emerging Performer, to be jointly sponsored by PTB Screen and Star Now, which will carry a cash prize of $1,000, along with a Life Achievement Award, to be sponsored by NFSA.
For more information, head to the official site.
