by FilmInk Staff
OCTOBER 2024 Season
Award of Recognition: Women Filmmakers
Award of Recognition: Women Theme
Seaview ENTERTAINMENT and BLACK & WHITE PICTURES are thrilled to announce emerging Australian Director Rosemary Reid’s psychological thriller and directorial debut short film “iHostage” as the recipient of two IndieFEST FILM AWARDS in the October 2024 Season.
Established in 2008, The IndieFEST Film Awards are an avant-garde worldwide competition that strives to give talented directors, producers, actors, creative teams and new media creators the positive exposure they deserve.
iHostage starring Australian Actress Sarah Robinson follows Jane Winter, a former high-powered executive turned Park Ranger as she seeks solace in nature after leaving a coercively controlling corporate job. Her newfound tranquility is shattered when she is mysteriously kidnapped while kayaking. Driven by themes of redemption, escape, and the struggle for self-acceptance, ”iHostage” explores the human journey of confronting our inner demons and reclaiming one’s identity.”
The team behind “iHostage” — Rosemary Reid and David Gribble ACS shot the film on Comerong Island in rural NSW with a Production Budget of $9,300 AUD and a small crew of about three to four friends on rotation. The film was shot on a Nikon D850 with other footage shot on a GoPro and iPhone. The producers made the choice to use Australian products from RØDE Microphones and wireless systems and editing and colour grade was done on DaVinci Resolve.
David Gribble ACS is an Australian Director of Photography legend and is known for The World’s Fastest Indian, Tap and Cadillac Man starring Robin Williams.
Rosemary Reid is a culturally diverse emerging Director, 15th Generation Bataknese (Indonesian) and Australian (Scottish, German and English heritage). She has a passion for storytelling and a drive to bring compelling narratives to life on the screen.
“What I really love about iHostage is its genre change around the 5-minute mark and also the birds and animals that feature as part of the backdrop of where this story is set. A huge challenge for me was maintaining equilibrium across the multiple roles I needed to do (including data wrangling) whilst Directing and workshopping with my actor” – Rosemary
iHostage is currently a Contender for the AACTA 2025 AWARDS Short Film Category.
