files/pictures/picture-35.jpgPress Release from The Lampshade Collective
Short animated film ”Nullarbor” by Melbourne’s The Lampshade Collective received the Yoram Gross Animation Award at the Sydney Film Festival over the weekend. The award, which carries a $4,000 prize is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and makes the film Academy accredited. Last year’s winner of the same prize “The Lost Thing” by Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann, subsequently won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
Nullarbor had its International premiere as part of the opening night program at the Stuttgart Trickfilm International Festival of Animation in Germany and recently screened as the only Australian short film in official competition at the Annecy International Festival of Animation in France. The short road movie, made with assistance from Film Victoria and Screen Australia will also have its UK premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and US premiere at Palm Springs International Shortfest this week before screening back home at both the Melbourne International Film Festival and Revelation Perth International Film Festivals.
The film’s directors Alister Lockhart and Patrick Sarell are over the moon that audiences are responding so well to the film. “We wanted to make an animated film about Australian people that looks at the foolishness and charm of our culture and our unique style of miscommunication” says Sarell. Lockhart ads “It’s a contemporary adaptation of the old tortoise and hare story, set across Australia’s Nullarbor Plain.”
Producer Katrina Mathers said the team couldn’t be happier with the attention the film is receiving after its short run of screenings so far. “We’ve managed to pick up some sales and distribution after screening at Annecy, so to receive an award as well is really amazing.”
“It’s been a long ride” they all say with a laugh.
The Lampshade Collective was formed in 2007 by Patrick Sarell, Katrina Mathers and Daryl Munton, later joined by Merrin Jensen to produce original entertaining, narrative CG animation. They have several new projects in development.
For more information, go to:
www.nullarborshortfilm.com .
