5 Australian Short Films Selected for Sundance Film Festival

In a coup for Australia the 2008 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Program that was announced overnight features five Australian short films - Advantage, Crossbow, Dugong, I Love Sarah Jane and Spider.

Advantage is a 10-minute psychological thriller, which explores a couple whose frisky interlude leads into one hell of a night out. Written by Rob Beamish, directed by Sean Byrne and produced by Donna McCrum and Andy Canny, it is the international premiere for the film. Advantage was part of the official selection of the 2007 Melbourne International Film Festival and is an AFC-funded project.

Crossbow is a 14-minute drama written and directed by David Michod and produced by Angie Fielder and Polly Staniford. It is the story of a bad thing that happens to a boy on the front lawn of his house - as told by the boy’s sexually confused neighbour. Crossbow had its international premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in September this year and recently won the Film Victoria Erwin Radio Award for Best Australian Short Film at the 2007 Melbourne International Film Festival.

Dugong is the story of a loner and his dog who return home on the day of his brother’s wedding to repair the past. Written and directed by Erin White and produced by Melanie Brunt, Dugong has screened at Aspen Shortfest and the Melbourne International Film Festival.

I Love Sarah Jane was written by Spencer Susser and David Michod, directed by Spencer Susser and produced by Angie Fielder. It is the story of a 13-year-old boy who is trying desperately to become part of Sarah Jane’s world. It is the first international screening for the film.

Spider was written by Nash Edgerton and David Michod, directed by Nash Edgerton and produced by Nicole O’Donohue. Spider is a 9-minute short that is all about fun and games until someone loses an eye. It has screened at numerous international film festivals including Telluride, Prague and Cork Film Festivals, and domestically at both Sydney and Melbourne Film Festivals. Spider recently won the Jury Prize at the AFI/Los Angeles Film Festival and won the audience award at both the Sydney Film Festival and Prague Short Film Festival. It is the fourth short film directed by Nash Edgerton that has screened at Sundance since 2000.

The Sundance Film Festival will run from 17-27 January 2008 in Utah, USA. The work screened is extremely broad and ranges from outrageous animation to fascinating short documentaries, from original and wild comedies to outstanding dramas.

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