Over two days of panel discussions on the weekend of 31 August – 1 September with Australia’s most exciting new filmmakers, content creators, and expert advisors, hear the stories of how these bold and risk-taking movies have been made, how they have found audiences, and how they are launching careers.
With increasingly limited prospects for financing or selling a movie through traditional means, especially without a name cast or proven director attached, the micro movie combines ideas and ambition, technology and resourcefulness to open the door to long form screen storytelling for debut filmmakers or truly independent movie ideas.
The micro movie is innovative by nature, and turns a tiny budget into a creative advantage. Increasingly these movies are made-to-order for targeted audiences, and often designed for a ‘digital-first’ release where creators engage audiences from the ground up. In the right hands, the results are often fresh and highly original.
“Keeping the budget lower on a micro budget indie film offers a financial and creative freedom that isn’t afforded to mainstream films meaning greater risks can be taken”, says Conference Producer Daniel Schultheis. “In the internet age indie filmmakers have another great advantage, no longer needing to rely on mainstream distribution channels, they can connect directly to audience online. This conference provides a platform for conversation on how micro movie making is not only possible, but might be sustainable as a supplement to the mainstream industry and an incubator of new and exciting creative talent.”
The Generation Next: Micro Movie conference is the place to network, develop your knowledge and skills, and discuss the trends shaping Australia’s screen landscape.
Featuring an impressive lineup of speakers including Sophie Hyde (52 Tuesdays), Kiah Roache-Turner (Wyrmwood) and Damian Hill (Pawno), the 2-day program will also feature a special video-link session with Academy Award nominated and Emmy award winning producer, Jason Blum. Blum is the founder and CEO of Blumhouse Productions (Paranormal Activity, Whiplash, The Gallows, The Purge, Insidious, Sinister and Ouija), a multi-media production company that has pioneered a new model of studio filmmaking – producing high-quality micro-budget films.
This year’s conference includes a number of new additions including the Short & Sharp Microbudget Pitching Competition and networking lounges.
Open Channel is also proud to support the ‘Mini Micro Film Festival’, a week long filmmaker led screening series supported by Tugg and Backlot Studios (tickets available at http://www.openchannel.org.au/generation-next-micro-budget-film-conference-festival/)
The Generation Next: Micro Movie Conference is supported by Film Victoria and Screen Australia.
