Two Australian films win Sundance awards

MEDIA RELEASE COURTESY OF: SCREEN AUSTRALIA

Two Australian films – the feature Animal Kingdom and the short Young Love – have been honoured with awards at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival which concluded yesterday in Park City, USA.

In a first for an Australian film, Animal Kingdom was awarded the World Cinema Jury Prize: Dramatic. The feature film debut from writer/director David Michôd was one of only 14 films selected to screen in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition from over 1,000 submissions.

Starring Guy Pearce, Jacki Weaver and Joel Edgerton, Animal Kingdom is a psychological drama set in Melbourne’s criminal landscape. The film was produced by Liz Watts and is due for local release in May 2010.

The Sundance jury for the World Cinema Dramatic Competition was made up of Alison Maclean, Lisa Schwarzbaum and Sigurjon ‘Joni’ Sighvatsson.

Also receiving an award at Sundance was Young Love which received an Honourable Mention in Short Filmmaking. Written and directed by Ariel Kleiman, the short film was produced by students at the University of Melbourne’s VCA Film & Television School. The Sundance jury for the Shorts Competition was made up of Sterlin Harjo, Brent Hoff and Christine Vachon.

“These two awards offer our Australian filmmakers terrific recognition on the world stage,” said Screen Australia Chief Executive Officer Ruth Harley. “Sundance is the first major festival on the international circuit and is considered one of the most prestigious in North America. We congratulate all those involved in Animal Kingdom and Young Love on this superb result.”

Animal Kingdom
www.animalkingdomthefilm.com.au
Writer/Director: David Michôd
Producer: Liz Watts
Production Company: Porchlight Films
Australian Distributor: Madman Entertainment
International Sales: E1 Entertainment
Cast: Ben Mendelsohn, Joel Edgerton, Guy Pearce, Luke Ford, Jacki Weaver, Sullivan Stapleton, James Frecheville

Synopsis: After the death of his mother, a 17-year-old boy is thrust precariously between an explosive criminal family and a detective who thinks he can save him.

Young Love
www.younglovemovie.com
Writer/Director: Ariel Kleiman
Supervising Producer: Siobhan Jackson
Production Company: VCA Film & Television School, University of Melbourne and Stool Pigeon
Cast: Alexander J Ford, Anna Vera-Dudas

Synopsis: Erno struggles to run, clutching his stomach and wincing in pain with each step as he traverses a deserted farmland. Even in tortuous pain, it seems clear it is not safe for Erno to stop, but what’s he running from?