The Official Poster & Trailer For Wyrmwood: Apocalypse Has Just Dropped

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Wyrmwood: Apocalypse is a post-apocalyptic zombie film that follows soldier Rhys who lives in a zombie-infested Australian wasteland. Rhys is on an arc of redemption as he turns against his evil bosses and joins forces with a group of rebel survivors to help rescue a girl who holds the cure to the virus.

The film which has been hailed as ‘Mad Max Meets Dawn Of the Dead’ – has picked up an audience award at the 2021 Sydney Film Festival for Best Feature Film.

Release Date: February 10,2022

Cast: Luke McKenzie as Rhys, Shantae Barnes Cowan as Maxi, Jake Ryan as the Colonel, Bianca Bradey as Brooke, Tasia Zalar as Grace, Jay Gallagher as Barry and Nick Boshier as the Surgeon General

Directed By: Kiah Roache-Turner

Written By: Kiah & Tristan Roache-Turner

Produced By: Tristan Roache-Turner & Blake Northfield

Check out the trailer below:

Disney and Pixar’s “Turning Red” Introduces Film’s Heartthrob Boy Band 4*Town

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According to “Turning Red” director Domee Shi, if you set a 13-year-old girl’s coming-of-age story in the early 2000s, it’s pretty much mandatory to include a boy band. “We needed our character Mei to be obsessed with something that her mom would not approve of,” said Shi. “Boy bands were the first step into the world of boys for a lot of girls that age. The guys were all super pretty, polished, soft and loving, and they had of way of bringing girls and their besties together. Plus, I thought it’d be really cool to create an animated boy band.”

Enter Pixar’s first-ever boy band, 4*Town. Filmmakers called on GRAMMY®-winning singer-songwriters Billie Eilish and FINNEAS to write the fictional band’s songs—three in total, including the song “Nobody Like U” featured in the new trailer. “When we first started talking about Billie Eilish and FINNEAS—back before they’d won a billion GRAMMYS—we could see then how they had their finger on the pulse,” said producer Lindsey Collins. “We were big fans. We met with them and pitched this crazy idea of a boy band, asking if they’d be interested in writing and producing the songs. They were!” 

Eilish, whose sophomore album, “Happier Than Ever,” debuted at No. 1 in the Billboard 200 in the U.S. and in 19 countries worldwide, made history as the youngest artist to win in all the major categories at the 62nd GRAMMY® Awards, receiving an award for best new artist, album of the year, record of the year, song of the year, and best pop vocal album.

FINNEAS, the youngest ever to win the GRAMMY® for producer of the year (non-classical), built a sterling discography penning and producing smashes for a cadre of superstars—not only for his sister, Billie Eilish, but also Justin Bieber,  Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, Tove Lo, Kid Cudi and Ben Platt, among others. His debut solo album “Optimist” is out now.

GRAMMY®-, Oscar®- and Emmy®-winning Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson (“Black Panther,” “The Mandalorian”) is composing the score for “Turning Red.” “I’ve been a fan of his for a while,” said Shi. “We were drawn to his versatility—he’s a composer, but he also produces pop music. We knew he would help us create a very unique sound.”

Joining previously announced Rosalie Chiang and Sandra Oh, who lend their voices to Mei and her mother Ming, are Orion Lee as the voice of Mei’s dad, Jin, and Wai Ching Ho as the voice of Grandma. Mei’s tightknit group of friends are voiced by Ava Morse as Miriam, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Priya, and Hyein Park as Abby. Tristan Allerick Chen voices classmate Tyler, and Addie Chandler lends his voice to Mei’s secret crush Devon. Providing the harmonious voices of the members of 4*Town are Jordan Fisher, Grayson Villanueva, Josh Levi, Topher Ngo and Finneas O’Connell. Rounding out the voice cast are James Hong, Lori Tan Chinn, Lillian Lim, Mia Tagano, Sherry Cola, Sasha Roiz and Lily Sanfelippo. 

ABOUT THE MOVIE

Disney and Pixar’s “Turning Red” introduces Mei Lee (voice of Rosalie Chiang), a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Her protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming (voice of Sandra Oh), is never far from her daughter—an unfortunate reality for the teenager. And as if changes to her interests, relationships and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited (which is practically ALWAYS), she “poofs” into a giant red panda! Directed by Academy Award® winner Domee Shi (Pixar short “Bao”) and produced by Lindsey Collins “Turning Red” releases March 31, 2022.

You can view the new trailer below:

Walt Disney Australia Release Schedule As Of November 2021…The Countdown Begins NOW

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2021 has been a tough year for the movie industry. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to drastically affect the world, the year’s biggest films were caught in the crossfire which resulted in a number of setbacks and cancellations brought upon by the pandemic. However, Walt Disney Australia has decided to put some of these skepticisms to rest, with the company revealing their Australian release schedule for all their films until 2023. Without further ado, check out Walt Disney Australia’s release schedule as of November 2021.

The Trailer & Release Date For BERGMAN ISLAND Has Just Dropped

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Maslow Entertainment has recently announced the release date for, BERGMAN ISLAND. Directed and written by Mia Hansen-Løve (Eden, Things to Come) and starring Mia Wasikowska (Judy & Punch, Tracks, The Kids Are All Right), Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction, The Hateful Eight), Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread, OLD) and Anders Danielsen Lie (22 July, Personal Shopper, The Worst Person In The World), the beguiling drama about life, love, and art is set to arrive in Australian cinemas nationally on January 6, 2022. The film will be distributed by Maslow Entertainment in partnership with Umbrella Entertainment.

A filmmaking couple, Chris (Krieps) and Tony (Roth), retreat to the breathtaking and mythical Fårö Island in Sweden for the Summer, a place where the legendary director Ingmar Bergman shot some of his most celebrated films. While hoping to find creative inspiration, but spending most of their days apart, memories of Chris’ first love are evoked and the lines between reality and fiction progressively begin to blur, ultimately making her question her current relationship.

‘BERGMAN ISLAND’ WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIAN CINEMAS NATIONALLY ON JANUARY 6, 2022

Check out the trailer below:

A New “Sneak Peek” At Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” Just Dropped

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The Walt Disney Company released a new “sneak peek”  at Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of the musical “West Side Story,” which will open in Australian cinemas on Boxing Day, 2021.

Directed by Academy Award® winner Steven Spielberg, from a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award® winner Tony Kushner, “West Side Story” tells the classic tale of fierce rivalries and young love in 1957 New York City. This reimagining of the beloved musical stars Ansel Elgort (Tony); Ariana DeBose (Anita); David Alvarez (Bernardo); Mike Faist (Riff); Brian d’Arcy James (Officer Krupke); Corey Stoll (Lieutenant Schrank); Josh Andrés Rivera (Chino); with Rita Moreno (as Valentina, who owns the corner store in which Tony works); and introducing Rachel Zegler (Maria.) Moreno – one of only three artists to be honored with Academy®, Emmy®, GRAMMY®, Tony®, and Peabody Awards – also serves as one of the film’s executive producers. 

Bringing together the best of both Broadway and Hollywood, the film’s creative team includes Kushner, who also served as an executive producer; Tony Award® winner Justin Peck, who choreographed the musical numbers in the film; renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor and GRAMMY Award® winner Gustavo Dudamel, who helmed the recording of the iconic score; Academy Award®-nominated composer and conductor David Newman (“Anastasia”), who arranged the score, Tony Award®-winning composer Jeanine Tesori (“Fun Home,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie”), who supervised the cast on vocals; and GRAMMY®-nominated music supervisor Matt Sullivan (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Chicago”), who serves as executive music producer for the film. The film is produced by Spielberg, p.g.a., Academy Award®-nominated producer Kristie Macosko Krieger, p.g.a. and Tony Award®-winning producer Kevin McCollum. “West Side Story” has been adapted for the screen from the original 1957 Broadway show. Original choreography by Jerome Robbins, based on the stage play, book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, play conceived, directed, and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by Leonard Bernstein. 

From 20th Century Studios, The Walt Disney Company will release “West Side Story” in Australian cinemas on Boxing Day, 2021.

This article was sourced from a media release sent by Vanessa Lastro of Disney

Revealed: Meet The Winners & Grinners From The Sydney Multicultural Film Awards 2021!

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SMFA (Sydney Multicultural Film Awards) is excited to reveal the list of winners from the 2021 Sydney Multicultural Film Awards. The festival received over 110 film submissions from directors and producers all over the world across 15 categories.

SMFA is an award ceremony that celebrates the talent coming from creatives from all around the world, with a focus on inclusion, diversity, and multiculturalism. Set in Sydney, this festival offers a beautiful backdrop and home to the awards ceremony.

After considering a strong field of 110 submissions, our judges have voted to determine this year’s nominees and finalists. These submissions represent the best and most affecting short films to come out of the past year.

Without further ado, check out the full list of winners at this year’s Sydney Multicultural Film Awards:

Best Original Score

The Ribbon WINNER
Happy Birthday Dear

Best Cinematography

KARMINA WINNER
A Section from Troy
You Are The One
A Cry For Help

Best Editor

KARMINA WINNER
You Are The One
Transfert

Best Screenplay

Tales of Lovely Locked Losing Heroes WINNER

Best Short Film Documentary

Dajla: cinema and oblivion – Arturo Dueñas Herrero (Spain) WINNER
Refugee’s welcome, Kostiantyn Mishchenko
Pacing the Pool, Jay Jay Jegathesan, (Australia)

Best Short Animation

Ballad of Pipe and Necklace- Martin Babić ( Croatia) WINNER
Painting By Numbers, Radheya Jegatheva (Australia)
The Leaf, Leonardo Sá (Canada)

Best Experimental

Below A Dark Wood – Bill Slovick (United States) WINNER
TalkingWe Is Easy, Being Us – JOESÉR ALVAREZ, ARIANA BOAVENTURA (Brazil)

Best Music Video

G.O.F – Fairy Temple – Radheya Jegatheva  WINNER
Stevan, Hope It’s Not – Jedi Kang
Leave It On The Line – Teddy Grossman (United States)
From What You Left Behind- – Jodhi Ramsden-Mavric
A Little Déjà Vu- Anna Lia ALVISI (Australia)
WHERE I’M FROM – Pascal Tessaud (France)

Best Short Film

Tyrannosaur and the Secret Garden (Director’s Cut) WINNER
Sorrow, Stefan Teofilovic, (Serbia)
Holestepper (Pisahueco), Sergio Fernández Muñoz (Peru)
Karmina, Wiktor Ejsmont (Poland)
Other, Samantha Jean (United States)
Mr.Sisyphus, Jedi Kang (Korea)
Ceci N’est Pas Une Pomme (This is Not An Apple), Miguel Sebastian Romero (United States)
A Cry For Help, Steven Esteb (United States)

Best Child Actor

Milas Tagebuch (Milas Diary) WINNER

Best Supporting Actor

Akebo – Donne Ngabo (Theogene) (Theogene) WINNER
(Theogene) Red Sin – Owen Hu

Best Supporting Actress

Self Therapy – Luca Leyers, Ine SchoemansOther WINNER
Other- Samantha Jean

Best Director

Story of A Story – Debajit Banerjee (Australia) WINNER
Ceci N’est Pas Une Pomme (This is Not An Apple) – Miguel Sebastian Romero (United States)
You Are The One – Shimul Shikder (MD AKTHERUZZAMAN)
Harmonica – Yalçın Dilsiz (Turkey)
Red Sin – Christopher Ortiz (United States)

Best Actress

Akebo – Aurore Girabanyu (Uwineza) WINNER
Other – Mandie Cheung (United States)
Ceci N’est Pas Une Pomme (This Is Not An Apple) – Shirley Kim Nguyen (United States)

Best Actor

Road.Dogs – Wol Riak (Krown) WINNER
Soul Catcher – Jay Jay Jegathesan
Sisyphus – Sungwoo Kang
The Writer’s Journey – Flip Sertic (United States)

The Trailer For Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch Has Just Dropped

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From Director WES ANDERSON

Starring BENICIO DEL TORO, ADRIEN BRODY, TILDA SWINTON, LÉA SEYDOUX, FRANCES MCDORMAND, TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET, LYNA KHOUDRI, JEFFREY WRIGHT, MATHIEU AMALRIC, STEPHEN PARK, BILL MURRAY and OWEN WILSON

Synopsis: THE FRENCH DISPATCH brings to life a collection of stories from the final issue of an American magazine published in a fictional 20th-century French city.

Check out the trailer below:

Sydney Multicultural Film Awards 2021: Meet The Judges

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SMFA (Sydney Multicultural Film Awards) has just announced the list of nominees and finalists for the 2021 Sydney Multicultural Film Awards. The festival received over 110 film submissions from directors and producers all over the world across 15 categories and is set to announce the official winners on November 20th, 2021.

SMFA is an award ceremony that celebrates the talent coming from creatives from all around the world, with a focus on inclusion, diversity, and multiculturalism. Set in Sydney, this festival offers a beautiful backdrop and is home to the awards ceremony.

After considering a strong field of 110 submissions, our judges have voted to determine this year’s nominees and finalists. These submissions represent the best and most affecting short films to come out of the past year. Let’s meet the face behind the judges of this year’s finalists:

Yolandi Franken

Yolandi Franken is a film and TV producer, TV host, and an industry all-rounder. She’s currently the editor-in-chief of FilmCentral magazine. She started studying and working in the film industry almost exactly 21-years ago now and although it’s a difficult industry to be in love with due to its inconsistent nature, she still wouldn’t change it for the world. Her job has enabled her to meet some amazing people and travel the world. She has worked in China, Hong Kong, South Africa, India, Dominican Republic, and the USA and she will forever be thankful for the opportunities that were presented to her and the people who helped her grow.

She was a producer of three feature films; Turbines, Tabernacle 101, and Streets of Colour, a two-part documentary series called Yols Discover, two TV series; The Fast lane and Miss Multiverse Australia, and hundreds of shorter format stories (music videos, short films, TV Ads, Corporate videos, etc.) Many of these got accepted into countless prestigious film festivals, some even winning some awards. These productions are available worldwide on streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime, Tubi, Google Play, Apple TV, and many more. Tabernacle 101 also had a US cinema release and The Fast Lane was aired on television sets throughout South-East Asia.

She’s currently a part of WIFT (Women in Film & Television) Australia and is Co-Chair of their NSW Committee and Chair of their National Virtual Arm where she’s involved in organising face-to-face and virtual events and workshops with industry leaders, educators, suppliers, funding bodies and guilds. She personally had the privilege to work with Disney, Niki Caro, Mandy Walker ASC ACS, Steph Power, Jill Bilcock, Bonnie Elliott, Arri, all the amazing people on the WIFT Australia Board, and many more.

As a secondary passion, she also works in front of the cameras. She hosted Teal Wings, Indie Film World, Yols Discover, The Fast Lane, Miss Multiverse Australia, and Miss Multiverse International. Some of these are available on Amazon Prime, Tubi, and some aired on Television. As far as acting goes, she’s had a number of smaller roles in Australian TV-series and Films and even a tiny role in the Hollywood Blockbuster, Kingsmen – The Secret Service. In her younger years, she was also a model but she ended her modelling career after representing Australia three times on a world level in Mrs. Globe, Mrs. World, and Miss Multiverse.

In 2014 she started a charitable film festival called Cause Film Festival which she ran for three years before passing on her role as Festival Director to Suki Foster. The festival is still running and has housed some of Australia’s most talented filmmakers and actors. Furthermore, she was actually nominated as “Australian of the Year” in 2015 for the work she does in the community and for various charities.

Waheed Nadafi

Waheed was brought up in the UAE until he was 17. After that, he migrated to Australia for his education and work. He lived in Australia for 12 years and has been working in the filmmaking industry since he was 18 years old. His regiment was to go to his 11th-grade high school while interning at different production companies in Perth WA. While at University, he was working and studying in the film industry.

Waheed’s short films have been recognized and won in many different festivals around the world. His greatest highlight was when he won the audience award at the Palm Springs International and was a finalist at the Down Under Berlin Film Festival and Kinotropa Film Festival. On the advertising commercials side of things, he has worked with Colenso BBDO on a three-add campaign for Dog Haven/SPCA.

Recently, Waheed has one of his features to get into the semifinals of Screencraft writing competition and was also in the top 10% of Coverfly. In addition, he has been working on new scripts with his editor/mentor, a seven-time Emmy Nominated Screenwriter, Ron Osborn. This is another step for him to achieve his goal of being an Auteur.

His motto has always been to stick with your strengths, listen to those who are trying to help you with your career, and always be humble.

Nicole Pastor

Nicole Pastor is a Film and Television Actress born in Sydney, Australia. Not only does she bring over a decade of experience to our screens but she has worked with the likes of director Alex Proyas (Gods of Egypt, I robot, the crow) working as the solo actress on his upcoming short horror film “Box”, and stars opposite Actress Jacqueline McKenzie in “Ruby’s Choice” which is led by the legendary Jane Seymour, Directed by Michael Budd, and has a supporting role in Australian Feature Film “Water Horse” Directed by Jennifer Van Gessel. Nicole has also spent the last decade working on various commercials, music videos, and print campaigns across Australia and Internationally as both an Actor and Model. She identifies as gay, maintaining a strong connection with the LGBTQ+ storytelling community.

Aska Karem

Aska Karem is a Kurdish woman who came to Australia as a refugee from her home country of Kurdistan. She can speak in Kurdish, Persian, and Turkish. She is doing an internship in order to get licensure as a psychologist upon completion of the programme. Aska completed a number of acting courses at NIDA, including Advanced Acting Studio, Acting Ensemble, Screen Acting Technique, and a variety of other programs. She recently appeared in George Miller’s film “Three Thousand Years of Longing.” Aska Karem is also a writer, with a nonfiction book currently in development. She is devoted to culture and diversity, ensuring that their stories and experiences are presented in a variety of ways.

Clifford The Big Red Dog New Trailer & Featurette Available Now!

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Darby Camp and Jack Whitehall star in CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG from Paramount Pictures. Photo Credit: Courtesy Paramount Pictures.

Introducing CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG… The more you love him the bigger he gets!

Check out the BRAND NEW TRAILER & FEATURETTE for CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG, coming to cinemas DECEMBER 30.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS:

When middle-schooler Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) meets a magical animal rescuer (John Cleese) who gifts her a little, red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a giant ten-foot hound in her small New York City apartment. While her single mom (Sienna Guillory) is away for business, Emily and her fun but impulsive uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) set out on an adventure that will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat as our heroes take a bite out of the Big Apple. Based on the beloved Scholastic book character, Clifford will teach the world how to love big!

Odin’s Eye Entertainment Introduces ‘The Library Boys’

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Buyers getting first taste of upcoming Australian high-school, high-jinks drama at American Film Market (AFM)

Odin’s Eye Entertainment (OEE) has recently announced it has secured worldwide sales on an upcoming feature film, The Library Boys, directed and penned by rising star Zane Borg (A Man and a Woman, Phantasm).

Only 21 years old when he shot the film, Borg, now 23, brought on executive producers Russell Cunningham of RLC Motion Picture Entertainment, Odin’s Eye CEO Michael Favelle and Pancake Originals’ Gabriel Carrubba to complete the picture in preparation for worldwide sales. Odin’s Eye Entertainment has commenced sales on the project and is introducing to buyers at the AFM

Based on Borg’s own experiences, The Library Boys offers a fresh, universal take on the classic coming-of-age story. Zane (Jack Kenny), James (Joe Kenny), and Mitch (Uisce Goriss-Dazeley) are about to graduate from high school. Lifelong friends, they are met head-on with the challenges of entering adulthood; Zane becomes obsessed with the new girl at school, James’ long-term girlfriend is pushing for him to grow up, meanwhile, Mitch is just trying to lose his virginity but somehow becomes involved with Tilly, the most popular girl in school. Exploring the ups and downs of adolescence struggles with identity and the importance of friendship, The Library Boys is an honest, heartfelt portrayal of high school life in the final year.

Filmed in Victoria under strict COVID protocols, the micro-budget film was shot in 30 days with post-production support from Post Lab IO and Music and Effects.

“We are delighted to be working with Zane who is a remarkable, fresh talent. His script, vision and casting excited us from the outset and the completed film is already earning serious interest from buyers at AFM,” said OEE’s Favelle.

About Odin’s Eye Entertainment: 

Established in 2006 by Michael Favelle, Odin’s Eye Entertainment (OEE) is a vertically integrated Production, Distribution, and International Sales Agency that specializes in working with emerging and established filmmakers across a wide variety of genres. As a Sales Agency, OEE represents Feature-Length Motion Pictures, Documentaries, and Television content worldwide, hosting its own sales booth at every major festival including, but not limited to, CANNES, AFM, MIPCOM, BERLIN & FILMART. Commencing in 2012, sister company, Odin’s Eye Animation (OEA) creates and sources original and existing IP for developing and producing theatrical quality animation content for international sale. With strategic initiatives with a network of international content development and animation studios, OEA is uniquely placed to work with some of the best independent studios and talent worldwide including director John Stevenson: KUNG FU PANDA; Director Jimmy Hayward HORTON HEARS A WHO, Free Birds; Director Barry Cook: MULAN.

OEE is also a recognised Australian Distributor whose first theatrical release was the Toronto IFF discovery title CANOPY in 2016. Subsequent release titles include SNOW QUEEN 3, WHEELY, DINO KING: JOURNEY TO FIRE MOUNTAIN, and most recently the award-winning Horror pic THE FURIES. OEE’s regular clients include industry heavyweights LIONSGATE for OPEN WATER 3: CAGE DIVE, NETFLIX for THE REAL MIYAGI, ANIMAL CRACKERS, and UNIVERSAL PICTURES AUSTRALIA. Based in OEE’s and OEA’s Sydney offices, Michael along with Lauren Thomas – Development & Acquisitions Executive – North America; Astrid Samuel Head of Business and Legal Affairs; Russell Cunningham – Global Strategist; and John Theodosiou –  Production and Accounts Assist strive to ensure Odin Eye’s forward business strategies remain focused on prestige live-action like the high concept thriller THE INFERNAL MACHINE starring Guy Pearce and Alice Eve as well as high-quality animations such as ALEBRIJES from Academy Award Winning Producer Aron Warner and the Australian franchise TALES FROM SANCTUARY CITY.