Editor

The BigPond Adelaide Film Festival today announced the Australian artists, musicians, filmmakers, theatre makers, dancers, choreographers and writers who will participate in THE HIVE, a ground-breaking 5 day residential lab taking place within the 2011 BigPond Adelaide Film Festival (BAFF). THE HIVE will encourage art form cross-pollination – between practitioners, and between processes and creative approaches.
The inaugural HIVE participants include Richard Tognetti, Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra; internationally acclaimed choreographers Meryl Tankard; Garry Stewart, Artistic Director of Australian Dance Theatre; Gideon Obarzanek, Artistic Director of Melbourne’s genre-defying Chunky Move; and Kate Champion, Artistic Director of Force Majeure. Participants from the theatre world include Michael Kantor, outgoing Artistic Director of the Malthouse Theatre; Rose Myers, Artistic Director of Windmill Theatre and QPAC’s 2010 Out of the Box Festival; Chris Drummond, Artistic Director of Brink Productions; and actor/writer Matthew Whittet, who is about to travel to Iceland as Dramaturg on a production of King Lear for the National Theatre of Iceland. From the visual arts we have internationally acclaimed artists Lynette Wallworth and Susan Norrie, the latter representing Australia at the 52nd Venice Biennale in 2007. THE HIVE filmmakers include Tony Krawitz (Jewboy), currently putting the finishing touches on the AFFIF supported feature documentary The Tall Man premiering at BAFF11, Glendyn Ivin (Crackerbag, Last Ride), Anna Broinowski (Forbidden Lie$), Amiel Courtin-Wilson (Bastardy, and AFFIF supported feature Hail premiering at BAFF11), Matthew Bate, Sophie Hyde and Bryan Mason of Adelaide’s creative powerhouse Closer Productions, currently working on three AFFIF supported feature films premiering at BAFF11, Ashlee Page (Layover, The Kiss), Amy Gebhardt (Look Sharp) and filmmaker, new media artist and musician Jason Sweeney (Disappointment).
BAFF Director Katrina Sedgwick said “This is an amazing group of people coming together for this unique laboratory. I can’t wait to see what comes out of this experience.”
Led by Wendy Levy from San Francisco-based BAVC Producers’ Institute THE HIVE introduces filmmakers to creative development methodologies and potential collaborators from other art forms and inspires artists from other genres to conquer film as a creative outlet.
“The SAFC is delighted to be partnering with BAFF on THE HIVE”, said CEO of the South Australian Film Corporation, Richard Harris. “This exciting creative hothouse venture promises an unprecedented opportunity for SA filmmakers to explore new modes of thought and creative exploration with artists from other mediums. We look forward to seeing the results.”
“ABC TV welcomes this opportunity to be involved with this innovative hothouse approach for audacious arts ideas to move from gallery, stage and studio and onto big or small screens”, said Amanda Duthie, ABC TV Head Arts & Entertainment.
“In recognition of the value of cross pollination between film and the arts, Screen Australia is proud to support THE HIVE,” says Martha Coleman, Head of Development at Screen Australia. “We look forward to challenging new screen ideas from talented, imaginative artists who have been stretched by this process, under the custodianship of Katrina Sedgwick.”
The BAFF full program will be launched in January 2011. For more information, special Xmas gift packages, opening night tickets and film passes go to BAFF’s NEW WEBSITE LIVE ON 30 NOVEMBER www.adelaidefilmfestival.org. You can also check out BAFF on Facebook www.facebook.com/BAFFestival.