SA Short Film Awards

It was a happy smiling crowd at the SA Short Film Awards, an event organized these past years by the Media Resource Centre (MRC) and held this year for the first time as an official event of the Adelaide Film Festival.

A number of the presenters and sponsors mentioned that very fact, so it seems worth repeating the notion that the awards have grown to the point that they've 'come of age'. That's not exactly proof of ownership, but the fact that people are clambering to associate themselves with the concept is proof enough that the Short Screen Awards is a great concept. Too, the point was made by South Australian Film Corporation Chair Cheryl Bart that these awards showed us a thoroughly professional and vibrant side to the local film industry which is sometimes overlooked. On both counts she's correct, and the standard of work was exemplary.

And so, before an audience of some 400 gathered in one of the Academy Cinemas screening rooms, MC Stephen Sheehan welcomed Premier Mike Rann and assembled guests to the ceremony. Of course there were speeches. Of course there were some shaky moments - the odd technical glitch - and of course there were tears (probably), but to the best of my knowledge nobody thanked God for their talent or their win. How refreshing!

As one of the sponsors, our sincere congratulation to all nominees and prize recipients, worthy winners all.

It would be remiss not to mention a couple of people in particular: outgoing MRC Director Imogen Selley, who has over the past two years steered the awards to their present station, and Director Sophie Hyde and Producer Rebecca Summerton, whose film 'My Last Ten Hours With You' lead the nominations list and ended up winning a fair swag of its nominated categories too!

Alex Wheaton

The 2007 Award winners are:


Best Film: My Last Ten Hours With You, Director Sophie Hyde, Producer Rebecca Summerton

Best Video/Cinematography: Simone Mazengarb, The Swimming Lesson

Best Editing: Brad Hurt, Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Best Original Screenplay: David Wade, Detached

Best Performance: Jude Henshall, The Swimming Lesson

Best Production Design: Bluey Byrne, The Swimming Lesson

Best Original Sound Design: Luke Jurevicius, Dust Echoes 2 (the Series) for The Curse

Best Direction: Sophie Hyde, My Last Ten Hours with You

Best Animation: Moon Man (Dust Echoes 2), Directors/Producers Luke Jurevicius and Toby Quarmby, Series Creative Director, Luke Jurevicius, Series Producer Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Best Composition: Luke Jurevicius, Dust Echoes 2 (the Series) for The Mimis

Best Performing Arts/Music Video: Forest, Director/Producer, Anny Duff

Best Documentary: Without Permission, Director/Producer, Kalopi Eleni

Best Comedy: Hands Free, Director Ben Lohmeyer, Producers Ben and Josh Lohmeyer

Best Drama: My Last Ten Hours With You, Director Sophie Hyde, Producer Rebecca Summerton

Best Experimental: Disappointment, Directors Harry Whizkid and Jason Sweeney, Producer Jason Sweeney

Innovation in Digital Media: Pixel Play Digital Art Program, Director/Producer ANAT

Office for Youth's Emerging Young Filmmakers Award: Shared between Simone Mazengarb and Carly Turner

Emerging Producer: Rebecca Summerton, My Last Ten Hours With You