by FilmInk Staff
A live action adaptation of the classic Australian children’s book Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas will premiere on iview and broadcast on Sunday 18th August for Book Week, airing at 5.05pm on ABC Kids. There will be a repeat broadcast that week on Friday 23rd August at 9:30am on ABC Entertains (also during Book Week).
The short film, starring Benita Collings (Play School), Bruce Spence (Mad Max) and Mark Haroutonian in the titular role, is a heartwarming story for family audiences about dementia and memory loss told from the perspective of a child.
When 6-year-old Wilfrid discovers his 96-year-old best friend Nancy (Collings) has lost her memory, he embarks on a quest to help her remember.
Produced at AFTRS by MAS producer Caleb Irwin (MAS 2022) and directed by former student Hattie Archibald (MAS 2018), the 15 minute film had its World Premiere at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival in November 2023 and Australian Premiere at Flickerfest in January this year before touring with the 2024 Flickerfest National Tour.
The film has received industry recognition with DOP Pete Moses (MAS 2022) receiving awards from the Australian Cinematographers Society (the 2024 Student Cinematography Award of Distinction and NSW & ACT Gold Award for Best Student Cinematography) and Danny Long receiving the 2023 CGA Award for Best Casting of a Short Film. Production and Costume Designer Roberto Manzini (MAS 2022) has also recently been nominated for the 2024 APDG AFTRS Emerging Designer For A Screen Production Award.
“Each Head of Department had a special connection with the book and I think that shows in the film,” said Archibald. “It was a privilege to work with such special source material. The book is a national treasure and our aim was to honour Mem and Julie’s story with every frame.”
Full list of festivals, awards & nominations:
Official Selection Chicago International Children’s Film Festival 2023 (International Premiere)
Official Selection Flickerfest International Short Film Festival 2024 (Australian Premiere & National Tour)
Official Selection Big Eyes, Big Minds Singapore International Children’s Film Festival 2024
Official Selection Giffoni Film Festival, Italy 2024
Official Selection Aesthetica Short Film Festival 2024, York UK
Official Selection Scone Film Festival 2024, Australia
2023 CGA Awards – WINNER Best Casting of a Short Film
2024 ACS Awards – WINNER Student Cinematography Award of Distinction; and WINNER
NSW & ACT Gold Award – Best Student Cinematography
2024 APDG Awards – NOMINATION AFTRS Emerging Designer for a Screen Production Award
Credit Line:
Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge is a short film based on the book of the same title by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas, directed by Hattie Archibald, written by Jacob Melamed, and produced by Caleb Irwin. The film features performances by Benita Collings, Mark Haroutonian, and Bruce Spence. Cinematography by Pete Moses. Production and costume design by Roberto Manzini.
Edited by Amy Dunn. Original music by Hamish Francis. Sound supervision by Jason Boyd. Casting by Danny Long and colour by James Cowie. A production of the Australian Film Television and Radio School.
