Wift (Women in Film Television) Nsw has welcomed eight new team members as the state chapter seeks to broaden its influence.
Lgbtqi+ advocate Nicole Pastor, grants manager Nicole Pesa, copywriter Karen Witt, Indigenous awareness representative Ljudan Michaelis-Thorpe, industry connect Georgina Lloyd, and diversity advocates Aska Karem, Bolude Watson, and Kathy Luu are part of an expanded team to be led by Wift Australia Nsw representative Yolandi Franken.
They join Nsw Events team co-chair Vanessa Klingler and team member Sally Williams.
Franken, who recently took over from Megan Riakos as the Nsw representative, currently holds the roles of Nsw Board member, co-chair of events (Nsw committee), interim secretary of Wift Australia board, and chair of Wift Virtual (national).
She said the Nsw team was made up of members who had reached out and offered support and those that have been there since Wift Australia was formed.
“There is strength in numbers...
Lgbtqi+ advocate Nicole Pastor, grants manager Nicole Pesa, copywriter Karen Witt, Indigenous awareness representative Ljudan Michaelis-Thorpe, industry connect Georgina Lloyd, and diversity advocates Aska Karem, Bolude Watson, and Kathy Luu are part of an expanded team to be led by Wift Australia Nsw representative Yolandi Franken.
They join Nsw Events team co-chair Vanessa Klingler and team member Sally Williams.
Franken, who recently took over from Megan Riakos as the Nsw representative, currently holds the roles of Nsw Board member, co-chair of events (Nsw committee), interim secretary of Wift Australia board, and chair of Wift Virtual (national).
She said the Nsw team was made up of members who had reached out and offered support and those that have been there since Wift Australia was formed.
“There is strength in numbers...
- 10/6/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Producers Yolandi Franken and Michela Carattini have received further support for buddy comedy Carmen & Bolude, selected for the Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (Iff) at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Loosely based on the friendship between Carattini and Bolude Watson, the film follows the titular characters on a journey from Harlem, New York to Sydney, where they have ten days to collect 100 ‘welcomes’ so that Bolude’s traditional Nigerian father will agree to let her marry an Australian.
Watson and Carattini co-wrote the script and are also set to star as the two leads, with Penelope Berkemeier to direct.
Carmen & Bolude is the only Australian project at this year’s market, which will be held vitually across September 12 and 13.
Now in its 16th year, the event brings global and Canadian producers together with international sales agents, US distributors, agents, equity financiers, and executive producers for brokered meetings and networking opportunities.
Loosely based on the friendship between Carattini and Bolude Watson, the film follows the titular characters on a journey from Harlem, New York to Sydney, where they have ten days to collect 100 ‘welcomes’ so that Bolude’s traditional Nigerian father will agree to let her marry an Australian.
Watson and Carattini co-wrote the script and are also set to star as the two leads, with Penelope Berkemeier to direct.
Carmen & Bolude is the only Australian project at this year’s market, which will be held vitually across September 12 and 13.
Now in its 16th year, the event brings global and Canadian producers together with international sales agents, US distributors, agents, equity financiers, and executive producers for brokered meetings and networking opportunities.
- 9/1/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
A script nearly seven years in the making about an enduring friendship steeped in multicultural Australia has taken the next steps toward production after receiving development support from Screen Australia’s Generate Fund.
Buddy comedy Carmen & Bolude follows the titular characters on a journey from Harlem, New York to Sydney, where they have ten days to collect 100 ‘welcomes’ so that Bolude’s traditional Nigerian father will agree to let her marry an Australian.
To be directed by Penelope Berkemeier (Game Night), the story is loosely based on the relationship between Nigerian-Australian Bolude Watson (Hearts and Bones) and Latin American-Australian Michela Carattini (Bite Club), co-writers of the script, who will also star in the film.
Watson was nominated for an Aacta Award in 2019 for her performance in Hearts and Bones, while also being named as a Casting Guild of Australia Rising Star in the same year.
There are plans to shoot in Sydney,...
Buddy comedy Carmen & Bolude follows the titular characters on a journey from Harlem, New York to Sydney, where they have ten days to collect 100 ‘welcomes’ so that Bolude’s traditional Nigerian father will agree to let her marry an Australian.
To be directed by Penelope Berkemeier (Game Night), the story is loosely based on the relationship between Nigerian-Australian Bolude Watson (Hearts and Bones) and Latin American-Australian Michela Carattini (Bite Club), co-writers of the script, who will also star in the film.
Watson was nominated for an Aacta Award in 2019 for her performance in Hearts and Bones, while also being named as a Casting Guild of Australia Rising Star in the same year.
There are plans to shoot in Sydney,...
- 4/30/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
"You have opened a door to the past... I must go through." Gravitas Ventures has released the official US trailer for the indie photographer drama Hearts and Bones, which is finally getting a US release on VOD this fall. The film originally premiered at a few key film festivals last year, and it already opened in Australia earlier this summer (watch the first trailer). The Australian drama stars Hugo Weaving as a veteran war photographer, who befriends a Sudanese refugee while back home in Australia. Preparing for an upcoming exhibition, his new friend gets involved in his process and questions whether photos from a massacre in his village should be displayed. The film also stars Andrew Luri, Hayley McElhinney, & Bolude Watson. It's a solid drama with a complex relationship at its core, explored in a compelling way thanks to Weaving taking on such an intricate role. He's matched by Luri's profound performance as well.
- 10/10/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
‘Hearts and Bones’.
Director Ben Lawrence’s Hearts and Bones has sold to Gravitas Ventures for the Us via Visit Films.
Produced by Matt Reeder and written by Lawrence with Beatrix Christian, the film made its world premiere in competition at the 2019 Sydney Film Festival, before bowing internationally in Toronto.
The drama follows the relationship between a war photographer (Hugo Weaving) and a South Sudanese refugee (newcomer Andrew Luri), who later discover a photograph that threatens to destroy them both. Hayley McElhinney and Bolude Watson also star.
The Us deal was negotiated by Ryan Kampe and Lydia Rodman on behalf of Visit Films and Nick Royak and Brendan Gallagher at Gravitas Ventures.
Hearts and Bones is Lawrence’s narrative feature debut, following on from award-winning documentary Ghosthunter.
Lawrence said:, “I’m thrilled that Gravitas will present Hearts and Bones to a larger international audience. The response from our festival tour...
Director Ben Lawrence’s Hearts and Bones has sold to Gravitas Ventures for the Us via Visit Films.
Produced by Matt Reeder and written by Lawrence with Beatrix Christian, the film made its world premiere in competition at the 2019 Sydney Film Festival, before bowing internationally in Toronto.
The drama follows the relationship between a war photographer (Hugo Weaving) and a South Sudanese refugee (newcomer Andrew Luri), who later discover a photograph that threatens to destroy them both. Hayley McElhinney and Bolude Watson also star.
The Us deal was negotiated by Ryan Kampe and Lydia Rodman on behalf of Visit Films and Nick Royak and Brendan Gallagher at Gravitas Ventures.
Hearts and Bones is Lawrence’s narrative feature debut, following on from award-winning documentary Ghosthunter.
Lawrence said:, “I’m thrilled that Gravitas will present Hearts and Bones to a larger international audience. The response from our festival tour...
- 5/7/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Visit Films has licensed U.S. rights for drama Hearts And Bones to Gravitas Ventures.
The Toronto 2019 world premiere stars Hugo Weaving (The Lord Of The Rings) as Dan, a renowned war photographer struggling
with Ptsd, who forms an unexpected bond with Sebastian, a Sudanese refugee, until one of his photographs unearths a dark secret from Sebastian’s past. Also starring are Andrew Luri, Hayley McElhinney, and Bolude Watson.
The deal was negotiated by Ryan Kampe and Lydia Rodman on behalf of Visit Films and Nick Royak and Brendan Gallagher at Gravitas Ventures.
Pic is directed by Ben Lawrence and written by Lawrence and Beatrix Cristian. Matt Reeder produced under his company Night Kitchen Productions. The movie also played at the Sydney, Melbourne and Hamptons film festivals.
Lawrence stated, “I’m thrilled that Gravitas will present Hearts And Bones to a larger international audience. The response from our festival...
The Toronto 2019 world premiere stars Hugo Weaving (The Lord Of The Rings) as Dan, a renowned war photographer struggling
with Ptsd, who forms an unexpected bond with Sebastian, a Sudanese refugee, until one of his photographs unearths a dark secret from Sebastian’s past. Also starring are Andrew Luri, Hayley McElhinney, and Bolude Watson.
The deal was negotiated by Ryan Kampe and Lydia Rodman on behalf of Visit Films and Nick Royak and Brendan Gallagher at Gravitas Ventures.
Pic is directed by Ben Lawrence and written by Lawrence and Beatrix Cristian. Matt Reeder produced under his company Night Kitchen Productions. The movie also played at the Sydney, Melbourne and Hamptons film festivals.
Lawrence stated, “I’m thrilled that Gravitas will present Hearts And Bones to a larger international audience. The response from our festival...
- 5/6/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Kirsty McGregor and Gemma Brown won Best Casting in a Feature Film for ‘Hearts and Bones’.
The Casting Guild of Australia (Cga) named 10 actors as its top emerging talent of 2019 and celebrated the best casting of the year at its annual awards Friday evening in Melbourne.
Leading the winners was Kirsty McGregor, who took home three awards, including Best Casting in a TV Comedy for Foxtel’s Mr Inbetween (series 2) and further two with colleague Gemma Brown, including Best Casting in A Feature Film for Hearts and Bones, and Achievement in Casting for ABC children’s series The Unlisted.
Annie Murtagh-Monks won Best Casting in a TV Drama for her work on The Heights series 1, while Best Casting in a TV Miniseries and Telemovie went to Angela Heesom for Sbs’s The Hunting. Best Casting in a Short Film went to Stevie Ray for Strangers.
Annie Murtagh-Monks won Best Casting...
The Casting Guild of Australia (Cga) named 10 actors as its top emerging talent of 2019 and celebrated the best casting of the year at its annual awards Friday evening in Melbourne.
Leading the winners was Kirsty McGregor, who took home three awards, including Best Casting in a TV Comedy for Foxtel’s Mr Inbetween (series 2) and further two with colleague Gemma Brown, including Best Casting in A Feature Film for Hearts and Bones, and Achievement in Casting for ABC children’s series The Unlisted.
Annie Murtagh-Monks won Best Casting in a TV Drama for her work on The Heights series 1, while Best Casting in a TV Miniseries and Telemovie went to Angela Heesom for Sbs’s The Hunting. Best Casting in a Short Film went to Stevie Ray for Strangers.
Annie Murtagh-Monks won Best Casting...
- 12/1/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Nominations for the 9th annual Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) Awards were unveiled in Sydney on Oct. 23, with Jennifer Kent‘s “The Nightingale” sweeping the film nominations with 15 nominations. The period thriller follow-up to Kent’s horror directorial debut “The Babadook” was followed closely by Anthony Maras‘ true story thriller “Hotel Mumbai” and Oscar nominee David Michod‘s Netflix period picture “The King,” with 13 bids apiece. On the TV side, gothic period drama “Lambs of God” shattered Aacta records with 14 nominations across TV categories, with an additional four subscription television award nominations. Winners will be revealed at a luncheon on Dec. 2 and a ceremony two days later.
Other nominees this year include Timothee Chalamet (“The King”), Dev Patel (“Hotel Mumbai”), Ben Mendelsohn (“The King”), Hilary Swank (“I Am Mother”), Ann Dowd (“Lambs of God”), Rachel Griffiths (“Total Control”) and Jacki Weaver (“Bloom”). Previous Aacta Award winner Damon Herriman...
Other nominees this year include Timothee Chalamet (“The King”), Dev Patel (“Hotel Mumbai”), Ben Mendelsohn (“The King”), Hilary Swank (“I Am Mother”), Ann Dowd (“Lambs of God”), Rachel Griffiths (“Total Control”) and Jacki Weaver (“Bloom”). Previous Aacta Award winner Damon Herriman...
- 10/23/2019
- by Rob Licuria
- Gold Derby
Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale tops the nominations pool for film at this year’s Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (Aacta).
The thriller, which debuted at Venice last year where it won a special jury prize, picked up 15 nods including best film and best direction.
Australian actor Damon Herriman is up for supporting actor for his role in The Nightingale, and also lead actor for his performance in Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy & Punch, which picked up a total of nine nominations including best film.
Herriman is also nominated twice on the TV side for roles in Lambs Of God and Mr Inbetween and has now become the Aacta record holder for the most nominations across performance categories. The actor is having a banner 2019, having also played Charles Manson in both Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and the Netflix series Mindhunter this year.
Tied...
The thriller, which debuted at Venice last year where it won a special jury prize, picked up 15 nods including best film and best direction.
Australian actor Damon Herriman is up for supporting actor for his role in The Nightingale, and also lead actor for his performance in Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy & Punch, which picked up a total of nine nominations including best film.
Herriman is also nominated twice on the TV side for roles in Lambs Of God and Mr Inbetween and has now become the Aacta record holder for the most nominations across performance categories. The actor is having a banner 2019, having also played Charles Manson in both Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and the Netflix series Mindhunter this year.
Tied...
- 10/23/2019
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Lambs of God’.
Lingo Pictures’ four-part TV drama Lambs of God has collected an unprecedented 18 Aacta Award nominations, while Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale leads in film with 15 nods.
The Australian Academy revealed the full list of nominees for the annual awards today, with almost 60 to be presented across two events in Sydney in six weeks time.
Some 15 films are up for awards, though four dominate almost every category: Kent’s revenge tale, Anthony Maras’ debut feature Hotel Mumbai and David Michôd’s Netflix-backed The King, which each received 13 nominations, and Mirrah Foulkes’ dark comedy Judy & Punch, which earned nine. Each is nominated for Best Film alongside Rachel Griffiths’ Ride Like A Girl and Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding.
Up in the Best Indie Film category (budgeted under $2 million) are Thomas M. Wright’s Acute Misfortune, Heath Davis’ Book Week, Rodd Rathjen’s Buoyancy, Imogen Thomas’ Emu...
Lingo Pictures’ four-part TV drama Lambs of God has collected an unprecedented 18 Aacta Award nominations, while Jennifer Kent’s The Nightingale leads in film with 15 nods.
The Australian Academy revealed the full list of nominees for the annual awards today, with almost 60 to be presented across two events in Sydney in six weeks time.
Some 15 films are up for awards, though four dominate almost every category: Kent’s revenge tale, Anthony Maras’ debut feature Hotel Mumbai and David Michôd’s Netflix-backed The King, which each received 13 nominations, and Mirrah Foulkes’ dark comedy Judy & Punch, which earned nine. Each is nominated for Best Film alongside Rachel Griffiths’ Ride Like A Girl and Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding.
Up in the Best Indie Film category (budgeted under $2 million) are Thomas M. Wright’s Acute Misfortune, Heath Davis’ Book Week, Rodd Rathjen’s Buoyancy, Imogen Thomas’ Emu...
- 10/22/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘Hearts and Bones’ stars Andrew Luri, Bolude Watson, director Ben Lawrence and star Hugo Weaving.
For director Ben Lawrence, the reaction to his feature debut Hearts and Bones at the Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) was both “emotional and overwhelming”.
Lawrence reports the standing ovations at every screening and the outpouring of praise for the cast, particularly for South Sudanese immigrant Andrew Luri in his acting debut, made a huge impact.
Of the film’s Canadian reception, Liane Cunje, Tiff Discovery and International programming associate said: “I’ve run the gamut of audiences reactions here at Tiff for films we programme from around the world, and I’ve never witnessed such an emotional celebration after a screening as the one I saw after Hearts and Bones.”
The film, which made its world premiere in competition at the Sydney Film Festival in June, screened as part of the Tiff Discovery program,...
For director Ben Lawrence, the reaction to his feature debut Hearts and Bones at the Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) was both “emotional and overwhelming”.
Lawrence reports the standing ovations at every screening and the outpouring of praise for the cast, particularly for South Sudanese immigrant Andrew Luri in his acting debut, made a huge impact.
Of the film’s Canadian reception, Liane Cunje, Tiff Discovery and International programming associate said: “I’ve run the gamut of audiences reactions here at Tiff for films we programme from around the world, and I’ve never witnessed such an emotional celebration after a screening as the one I saw after Hearts and Bones.”
The film, which made its world premiere in competition at the Sydney Film Festival in June, screened as part of the Tiff Discovery program,...
- 9/19/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
We have a trailer for you to check out for the Australian drama Hearts and Bones, starring Hugo Weaving.
The film deals with a war photographer who goes home to Australia between tours and, while dealing with severe Ptsd, prepares for an exhibit in which he will show the photos from his career. A Sudanese refugee (played by Andrew Luri) now living in Australia has a lot to lose if one particular photo goes public, so he befriends Weaving’s character, and the two embark on a friendship, both riding the emotional waves of a life post-war.
Hearts and Bones was directed by newcomer Ben Lawrence, who co-wrote the screenplay with Beatrix Christian. The film also stars Hayley McElhinney and Bolude Watson.
This looks like a heavy film, but a powerful one with an important story to tell. Check out the trailer below, and let us know if you’re interested in this film.
The film deals with a war photographer who goes home to Australia between tours and, while dealing with severe Ptsd, prepares for an exhibit in which he will show the photos from his career. A Sudanese refugee (played by Andrew Luri) now living in Australia has a lot to lose if one particular photo goes public, so he befriends Weaving’s character, and the two embark on a friendship, both riding the emotional waves of a life post-war.
Hearts and Bones was directed by newcomer Ben Lawrence, who co-wrote the screenplay with Beatrix Christian. The film also stars Hayley McElhinney and Bolude Watson.
This looks like a heavy film, but a powerful one with an important story to tell. Check out the trailer below, and let us know if you’re interested in this film.
- 9/11/2019
- by Jessica Fisher
- GeekTyrant
"You don't have to put yourself through this..." One of the many new films premiering at the Toronto Film Festival this month is this one - Hearts and Bones, an Australian drama marking the narrative debut of filmmaker Ben Lawrence. This originally premiered at the Sydney and Melbourne Film Festivals already, now playing in Toronto to continue its festival run internationally. The indie drama stars Aussie actor Hugo Weaving as a veteran war photographer, who befriends a Sudanese refugee while back home. Preparing for an upcoming exhibition, his new friend gets involved in his process and questions whether photos from a massacre in his village should be displayed. The film also stars Andrew Luri, Hayley McElhinney, and Bolude Watson. It's a solid drama, reminding us how important connection and understanding is in our world. This is a full-on promo trailer that sets up the whole film, but it's still a...
- 9/10/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
After witnessing famed Australian war photographer Daniel Fisher (Hugo Weaving) endure a traumatic experience in Iran during the opening of Ben Lawrence’s Hearts and Bones, the sudden shift to a taxi driver (Andrew Luri’s Sebastian Ahmed) will seem abrupt. It’s not, however, a coincidence that the latter recognizes the former’s name on the radio since they have a shared history courtesy of a small Sudanese village. Dan was on assignment during a massacre fifteen years ago that claimed the lives of Sebastian’s family. One documented the nightmare to guarantee the world couldn’t ignore this atrocity while the other subsequently spent years trying to forget it. What should Dan do when the refugee asks him to exclude those sensitive, personal images from his new exhibit? Where do truth and decency diverge?
It’s a complex subject spanning the artistic merits of non-fiction work to the human cost documented within.
It’s a complex subject spanning the artistic merits of non-fiction work to the human cost documented within.
- 9/7/2019
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Time spent in a modern war zone can be traumatic for participant and observer alike, yet across continents and cultures, the shared experiences of living and loving in the wake of such experiences can be startlingly similar. This is multi-faceted and overarching theme woven throughout Ben Lawrence’s sensitive and affecting new Australian drama “Hearts and Bones,” an impressive narrative feature debut from the winner of last year’s Sydney Film Festival documentary prize for “Ghosthunter.”
Lawrence’s thoughtful drama also casts an illuminating light on the current hot-button issue of immigrants to Australia and their place in the social fabric, specifically in the Western Sydney suburbs in which it is filmed. The film’s second-place finish in the narrative section of the fest’s audience award (behind Samuel Van Grinsven’s “Sequin in a Blue Room”) suggests it struck a chord with traditionally partisan Aussie audiences, and with proper handling,...
Lawrence’s thoughtful drama also casts an illuminating light on the current hot-button issue of immigrants to Australia and their place in the social fabric, specifically in the Western Sydney suburbs in which it is filmed. The film’s second-place finish in the narrative section of the fest’s audience award (behind Samuel Van Grinsven’s “Sequin in a Blue Room”) suggests it struck a chord with traditionally partisan Aussie audiences, and with proper handling,...
- 6/21/2019
- by Eddie Cockrell
- Variety Film + TV
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