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2009 Short & Sharp Pitching Competition

Announcing the Winner of the 2009 Short & Sharp Pitching Competition

winner Jehan Ratnatunga Open Channel would like to congratulate the winner of the 2009 Short & Sharp Pitching Competition.

Eight finalists battled it out in front of a live audience and a panel of judges for a chance to compete in SDA Pitch in Sydney.

Jehan Ratnatunga's pitch “The Arrangement” was unanimously selected by the judges and an audience favourite. Jehan's co-presenters were: Arj Ganeshalingham, Ary Ganeshalingham & Swathi Shridhar

Open Channel will now send Jehan to the SDA Pitch in Sydney as part of SPAA Fringe in October. In addition, he will receive a voucher for Open Channel equipment hire to the value of $2,500

Competing against the representatives from the five other Screen Development Associations, the winner of the National SPAA Fringe will receive: $1200 registration fee for SPAA Conference, $1800 cash prize and a software package from Azure Productions.

Runner-up Andrew Slattery, pitching “Two’s Company” received a runner-up prize of an Open Channel voucher for equipment hire to the value of $1,000.

Open Channel wishes Jehan Ratnatunga good luck in the SDA Pitch and beyond!

Quote
“I am impressed by the level of quality of the pitches. There are some sizzling stories here will real potential to be developed into films. I can’t wait to see these new filmmakers perform in front of an audience!”
Marc Gracie, Open Channel Producer

Prize
The winner of the Short & Sharp Pitching Competition will receive a voucher for Open Channel equipment hire to the value of $2,500; with a runner-up prize of an Open Channel voucher for equipment hire to the value of $1,000. Open Channel will also send the winner to the SDA Pitch in Sydney as part of SPAA Fringe in October.

Audience
Aimed at new, emerging and early career filmmakers, the Short & Sharp Pitching Competition invited entrants to submit a film and television idea. Eight finalists (see bios below) were selected to present their pitch before an audience and judging panel at the Short & Sharp Pitching Competition on Wednesday 1 July at ACMI.

Host and Judges
Hosted by Tim Ferguson, one of Australia’s most accomplished performers and writers. The judging panel includes Manager, Script Development Charlie Carman (Film Victoria), producer Sue Maslin (Japanese Story), director Alkinos Tsilimidos (Em 4 Jay), Development Manager Mike Cowap (Screen Australia) and producer Kate Whitbread (The Caterpillar Wish). Judges are looking for originality, variety of genre, and a synopsis that sells.
Before you hear the pitch, get to know the contestants

Toni Bently will be pitching a documentary entitled “A Life of a Building.” In 2008 her final year drama production at RMIT The Weeping Babishka won Best Screenplay.

Monica Burtscher will be pitching a rite of passage short film about teaching sub continental girls to swim. Screened at ACMI in 2005, Pause & Effect is one of her recent film credits as part of the Production team of Visionary Images.

Yasmine Clement will be pitching “Hospitality” a comedy. Currently she is a script editor for Alphapha Media and has directed several plays most recently being an Assistant Director “The Pig Iron People” at the Sydney Theatre Company.

Benjamin Harding will be pitching a comedic documentary entitled “The Short Report.” In 2008 he was the Associate Producer for “My Home the Block” and currently is an Acquisitions Executive at VEA.

Jemma van Loenen will be pitching a drama entitled “L is for…” Studying at RMIT, Jemma is pursuing a career within the film and television industry.

Jehan Ratnatunga will be pitching a narrative comedy called “The Arrangement.” Jehan has comedic writing, directing, and performing experience in radio, film and theatre.

Andrew Slattery will be pitching the drama “Two’s Company.” Receiving a degree in Creative Writing in 2008 from the University of New Castle, Andrew has written and produced several short comedies.

Matthew Macknamara will be pitching a comedy, sci/fi, musical entitled “Finding Benny.” Matthew has written and directed several shorts ranging from dramas to thrillers to comedies.

Only the strongest will survive. Come and see those who made it to the Short List battle it out.

TIME: Wed 1July 2009, 7pm
ENTRY: 18+ age Full $10, Concession $8 / Open Channel Members $5
WHERE: ACMI Cinemas, Federation Square

Media Enquiries: Robyn Lucas, marketing@openchannel.org.au (03) 8610 9300

Agatha Yim, winner of the 2008 Short & Sharp Pitching Competition who went on to develop her pitch into a short film, describes her Short & Sharp experience:

Since my pitch was essentially a succinct overview of what I wanted the film to be, I found that I referred back to it quite often during the scripting stage in order to consolidate exactly what I wanted to express. It reminded me of the tone I wanted in the film, the characters and certain scene ideas that I wanted to include. The pitch feedback was helpful in the sense that it brought attention to potential impracticalities of the idea, and difficulties in making the film due to the budget. From the feedback, I decided that despite it being a comedy it was necessary for the film to have a dark edge to it.... Being sent up to Sydney for the SPAA Fringe pitch was another really amazing experience. I got to meet like-minded people, who were excited about film. Even though I didn’t end up winning the National Pitch-off, I was approached by several people afterwards who were very interested in the idea.

SHORT & SHARP IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY FILM VICTORIA

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2009 Short & Sharp Pitching Competition

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