By FilmInk Staff
Though the humble trailer (or preview) has always been a vital element in any film or TV series’ marketing campaign, it has now almost become an event in itself. The release of trailers for major IP like that produced by Marvel, Lucasfilm and the like are highly rumoured and discussed and are occasionally foreshadowed by pre-trailer trailers and teasers. Trailers have almost become an art form in themselves, with filmmakers like The Russo Brothers (Avengers: Endgame) treating them as completely separate from the films that they are supporting, driven by their own internal logic and sense of storytelling.
With this huge shift of thinking around the role and importance of trailers, it’s no real surprise that 2022 has seen the inauguration of The World Trailer Awards. The ceremony, which was emceed by Portuguese actor Sonia Balaco, took place live from the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Hotel in Vilamoura, Portugal in late February. The show, founded by the US-based Golden Trailer Awards and AcclaimWorks, recognised the achievements of the world’s best creative marketing across the fields of cinema, TV, gaming, streaming services and social media. The winners were revealed after regional finalists from around the globe were set last week.
In terms of Australia, the big winner on the night was Sydney-based production house, The Solid State, who specialise in movie trailers and marketing, and have cut together materials for films like Ride Like A Girl, Babyteeth, The Babadook, Dirt Music, Last Cab To Darwin and many, many more. It was their stunning trailer for Jennifer Peedom’s lyrical and highly evocative documentary River, however, which took out the top prize at this year’s World Trailer Awards, which beat out far more fancied titles like House Of Gucci and The Batman. “We’re over the moon,” says The Solid State’s Walter Bienz. “Chucking another award on the shelf is one thing, but to take out The Batman and House of Gucci, well, that sweet victory will keep us going for a while. It’s a real testament to the quality of the work we’re producing, but also further acknowledgement to the quality of River, the amazing feature project that [distributor] Madman and director Jen Peedom [Sherpa, Mountain] brought to us.”
The Solid State also won Best TV Trailer for Anthony Hayes’ Zac Efron starrer Gold.
For more on The Solid State, head to the official website.
