South Australian films and talent swept the field at the inaugural Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards ceremony, held on Tuesday at the Sydney Opera House. The critically acclaimed Snowtown took out four of the five awards for which it was nominated, including Best Direction for Justin Kurzel and Best Lead Actor for Daniel Henshall.

Snowtown was such a success that fellow SA production Red Dog seemed to have been forgotten – until it claimed the Samsung AACTA Award for Best Film. Hugo Weaving won Best Supporting Actor for the SA-made Oranges and Sunshine, while Adelaide actress Sarah Snook took out Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama for her role in Sisters of War (ABC1).

AACTA President Geoffrey Rush and Ambassador Cate Blanchett shared presenting duties with an abundance of Australian talent, including Rachael Taylor, Mia Wasikowska, Miranda Kerr, Jacki Weaver and others. Olivia Newton-John kicked off the ceremony by performing a medley of songs from the soundtrack of her latest film, the recently released A Few Best Men.

Best Actor winner Daniel Henshall was eager to sing the praises of the South Australian film industry and the new Adelaide Studios at Glenside.

"I love the South Australian Film Corp and I love the Adelaide Film Festival – I think what they do is brilliant in supporting Australian film," he told Glam Adelaide.

"Taking on risky projects the way they do, doing what they do in supporting this country and its film is just brilliant."

Australian supermodel and actress Megan Gale looked striking in a lacy gown by Alex Perry. Chatting about her ambitions for the future, she explained that she had put her acting career on hiatus to focus on opportunities such as Project Runway. However, she quickly added that she was keeping her options open and waiting for the right acting project.

"There've definitely been opportunities and things that've come up, but I'm a big believer in not doing a film just for the sake of doing it," she said.

"It has to be the right role, the right people involved, the right director, the right script."

Gale said her ideal role would be something unglamorous.

"Something a bit raw, a bit more exposed," she elaborated, laughing at suggestions that she do a Natalie Portman and be the next actress to shave her head for a part.

Rob Carlton, nominated for playing Kerry Packer in Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo (ABC1), loudly confessed to have found it more daunting portraying a real person.

“It’s terrifying!”

"The one thing we have as actors normally, is that we can say 'It's the character, that's the choice I made'. But when it's somebody who actually existed and who everybody knows?"

Adelaide’s own Xavier Samuel looked dapper as he strode down the red carpet in a classic black suit. Known for his roles in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Anonymous and A Few Best Men, the young star spoke fondly about his hometown.

“I always look forward to coming back to Adelaide and spending time there, lots of my friends and family are still there,” he told Glam Adelaide. “I like to go back home.”

Asked how it felt to go from Adelaide to the AACTAs, he started wise-cracking.

“Yeah, the drive is nice. Via Melbourne, through the countryside…” he quipped, before turning serious.

“I think I’m really privileged and lucky to be in a position to keep doing what I love. I know a whole lot of very talented Australian actors who aren’t working, so I count myself very lucky.”

Samuel’s tendency towards charming sarcasm reared its head again when asked where he would like to see the Australian film industry in the future.

“Still in Australia.”

He was unable to hide a smirk at my protestations that the question was meant metaphorically. “I know!” he laughed. “I think a night like tonight is a real occasion to celebrate Australian film and television having wider recognition and more international recognition. There are a lot of very talented actors and filmmakers here and I think it’s about time we received that recognition.”

The conversation turned to the suit Samuel was wearing, which was made by Louis Vuitton.

“You look lovely, as well,” he added, just before he moved on – turning this reporter almost as red as the carpet.

Actor and director Richard Roxburgh told Glam Adelaide that the public was too eager to attach inaccurate labels to Australian films.

“If you have a year where there’s a lot of comedies, people will say ‘We only ever produce comedies!’ – the next year it will be gloomy films and people say we only ever do those.”

Actress Radha Mitchell said that Australian filmmakers and audiences were privileged in being able to focus on film as art.

“I’m based in America mainly and that’s quite difficult [there] because everyone’s financially constrained,” she told Glam. “We have the opportunity to make movies that register on that level.”

Magda Szubanski said she disagreed with the oft-cited view that local audiences are too unwilling to support local movies. “Australians are big filmgoers,” she said.

“I think we really love seeing our own stories told.”

The AACTA Awards were launched in August last year as a continuum of the Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards, which have been celebrating Australian film and television excellence for over half a century.

2012 Samsung AACTA Award Winners

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST YOUNG ACTOR
Lara Robinson, Cloudstreet – Part 1 (FOXTEL – Showcase).

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST TELEVISION DRAMA SERIES
East West 101, Season 3 – The Heroes' Journey. Steve Knapman, Kris Wyld (SBS).

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST TELEFEATURE, MINI SERIES OR SHORT RUN SERIES
The Slap, Tony Ayres, Helen Bowden, Michael McMahon (ABC1).

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION SERIES
The Gruen Transfer, Series 4. Andrew Denton, Anita Jacoby, Jon Casimir (ABC1).

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTION IN TELEVISION
The Slap - Episode 3 ‘Harry’. Matthew Saville (ABC1).

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST SCREENPLAY IN TELEVISION
The Slap - Episode 3 'Harry'. Brendan Cowell (ABC1).

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Alex Dimitriades, The Slap (ABC1).

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Sarah Snook, Sisters Of War (ABC1).

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST GUEST OR SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Richard Cawthorne, Killing Time - Episode 2 (FOXTEL – TV1).

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST GUEST OR SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Diana Glenn, The Slap - Episode 3 'Harry' (ABC1).

SWITCHED ON AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST TELEVISION PROGRAM
Packed To The Rafters, Seven Network.

SWITCHED ON AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Asher Keddie, Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo (ABC1).

SAMSUNG AACTA AWARD FOR BEST FILM
Red Dog, Nelson Woss, Julie Ryan.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTION
Snowtown, Justin Kurzel.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Griff The Invisible, Leon Ford.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Snowtown, Shaun Grant.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTOR
Daniel Henshall, Snowtown.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTRESS
Judy Davis. The Eye Of The Storm.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Hugo Weaving, Oranges And Sunshine.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Louise Harris, Snowtown.

Photos by LJ PhotoCorp.

The winners of the inaugural Samsung Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards were announced at Sydney Opera House last night.  The full list of nominees and winners is below, with the winners in bold.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST YOUNG ACTOR
Olivia DeJonge. Good Pretender.
Emma Jefferson. My Place, Series 2 ‐ Episode 17 '1848 ‐ Johanna'. ABC3
Lara Robinson. Cloudstreet ‐ Part 1. FOXTEL ‐ Showcase
Lucas Yeeda. Mad Bastards.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST TELEVISION DRAMA SERIES
East West 101, Season 3 ‐ The Heroes' Journey. Steve Knapman, Kris Wyld. SBS
Offspring, Season 2. John Edwards, Imogen Banks. Network Ten
Rake. Ian Collie, Peter Duncan, Richard Roxburgh. ABC1
Spirited, Season 2. Claudia Karvan, Jacquelin Perske. FOXTEL ‐ W

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST TELEFEATURE, MINI SERIES OR SHORT RUN SERIES
Cloudstreet. Greg Haddrick, Brenda Pam. FOXTEL ‐ Showcase
Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo. John Edwards, Karen Radzyner. ABC1
Sisters Of War. Andrew Wiseman. ABC1
The Slap. Tony Ayres, Helen Bowden, Michael McMahon. ABC1

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION SERIES
The Gruen Transfer, Series 4. Andrew Denton, Anita Jacoby, Jon Casimir. ABC1
Hungry Beast, Series 3. Andrew Denton, Anita Jacoby, Andy Nehl, Jon Casimir. ABC1
Judith Lucy's Spiritual Journey. Todd Abbott. ABC1
Junior MasterChef, Series 1. Tara McWilliams. Network Ten
RocKwiz. Brian Nankervis, Ken Connor, Peter Bain‐Hogg, Joe Connor. SBS

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTION IN TELEVISION
Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo ‐ Episode 1. Daina Reid. ABC1
The Slap ‐ Episode 1 ‘Hector’. Jessica Hobbs. ABC1
The Slap ‐ Episode 3 ‘Harry’. Matthew Saville. ABC1
Small Time Gangster ‐ Episode 1 'Jingle Bells'. Jeffrey Walker. FOXTEL ‐ Movie Network

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST SCREENPLAY IN TELEVISION
Cloudstreet ‐ Part 3. Tim Winton, Ellen Fontana. FOXTEL ‐ Showcase
Laid ‐ Episode 3. Kirsty Fisher. ABC1
The Slap ‐ Episode 1 'Hector'. Kris Mrksa. ABC1
The Slap ‐ Episode 3 'Harry'. Brendan Cowell. ABC1

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Rob Carlton, Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo. ABC1
Alex Dimitriades, The Slap. ABC1
Don Hany, East West 101, Season 3 ‐ The Heroes' Journey. SBS
Jonathan LaPaglia, The Slap. ABC1

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Essie Davis, Cloudstreet. FOXTEL ‐ Showcase
Kerry Fox, Cloudstreet. FOXTEL ‐ Showcase
Asher Keddie, Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo. ABC1
Sarah Snook, Sisters Of War. ABC1

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST GUEST OR SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Richard Cawthorne, Killing Time ‐ Episode 2. FOXTEL ‐ TV1
Aaron Fa'aoso, East West 101, Season 3 ‐ The Heroes' Journey ‐ Episode 18 'The Price Of Salvation'. SBS
Jacek Koman, Spirited, Season 2 ‐ Episode 2 'Time After Time'. FOXTEL ‐ W
Todd Lasance, Cloudstreet ‐ Part 3. FOXTEL ‐ Showcase

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST GUEST OR SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Diana Glenn, The Slap ‐ Episode 3 'Harry'. ABC1
Rena Owen, East West 101, Season 3 ‐ The Heroes' Journey ‐ Episode 18 'The Price Of Salvation'. SBS
Susie Porter, Sisters Of War. ABC1
Lara Robinson, Cloudstreet ‐ Part 1. FOXTEL ‐ Showcase

SWITCHED ON AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST TELEVISION PROGRAM
MasterChef Australia, Network Ten
Packed To The Rafters, Seven Network
Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo, ABC1
Underbelly Razor, Nine Network

SWITCHED ON AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD FOR BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TELEVISION DRAMA
Rebecca Gibney, Packed To The Rafters. Seven Network
Asher Keddie, Paper Giants: The Birth Of Cleo. ABC1
Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Underbelly Razor. Nine Network
Erik Thomson, Packed To The Rafters. Seven Network

SAMSUNG AACTA AWARD FOR BEST FILM
The Eye Of The Storm. Antony Waddington, Gregory Read, Fred Schepisi.
The Hunter. Vincent Sheehan.
Mad Bastards. David Jowsey, Alan Pigram, Stephen Pigram, Brendan Fletcher.
Oranges And Sunshine. Camilla Bray, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning.
Red Dog, Nelson Woss, Julie Ryan.
Snowtown. Anna McLeish, Sarah Shaw.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTION
The Eye Of The Storm, Fred Schepisi.
The Hunter, Daniel Nettheim.
Red Dog, Kriv Stenders.
Snowtown, Justin Kurzel.

]AACTA AWARD FOR BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Griff The Invisible, Leon Ford.
The Loved Ones, Sean Byrne.
Mad Bastards, Brendan Fletcher, Dean Daley‐Jones, Greg Tait, John Watson.
Red Hill, Patrick Hughes.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Eye Of The Storm, Judy Morris.
The Hunter, Alice Addison.
Red Dog, Daniel Taplitz.
Snowtown, Shaun Grant.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTOR
Willem Dafoe, The Hunter.
Daniel Henshall, Snowtown.
Geoffrey Rush, The Eye Of The Storm.
David Wenham, Oranges And Sunshine.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST LEAD ACTRESS
Judy Davis, The Eye Of The Storm.
Frances O'Connor, The Hunter.
Charlotte Rampling, The Eye Of The Storm.
Emily Watson, Oranges And Sunshine.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
John Gaden, The Eye Of The Storm.
Sam Neill, The Hunter
Robert Rabiah, Face To Face.
Hugo Weaving, Oranges And Sunshine.

AACTA AWARD FOR BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Morgana Davies, The Hunter.
Louise Harris, Snowtown.
Helen Morse, The Eye Of The Storm.
Alexandra Schepisi, The Eye Of The Storm.

Presented by Adelaide Youth Theatre
Reviewed Friday 27^th January 2012

Venue: ARTS Theatre, Angas Street, Adelaide
Season: Conluded
Duration: 2hrs 40min incl interval

Set in 1933 this popular 1977 Broadway musical is based on the long running comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, by Harold Gray (1894-1968). Annie was left at an orphanage by her parents when she was only a baby, with a note that said that they would return to collect her. She is now eleven years of age and is, optimistically, still waiting for their return. The feisty young redhead's arch-enemy is the alcoholic Miss Hannigan, who runs the orphanage where Annie and many other little girls are bullied and mistreated by her.

When the billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, send his assistant, Grace Farrell, to bring an orphan into his home for two weeks at Christmas she selects Annie, much to Miss Hannigan's chagrin. Warbucks is enchanted by Annie and plans to adopt her, until she says that the only present that she wants for Christmas is to be reunited with her parents. When Warbucks tries to find Annie's parents, offering a large sum of money to them if they come forward, Miss Hannigan's crooked brother 'Rooster' and his girlfriend, Lily St. Regis, armed with intimate information about Annie that Miss Hannigan has given them, appear in disguise to claim Annie and the money.

Director, Nadine Wood, Musical Director, Deborah Brennan, and Choreographer, Lauren Dempsey took on a daunting task and accomplished great things. This production was put together in only ten days and featured a huge cast and a live orchestra. Each of the major characters has two people cast in the role, alternating with one another at each performance. All of the adult roles, except for 'Daddy' Warbucks, are played by young people, well below the stage age of their characters. This all adds extra difficulties. The set was smart and made excellent use of projected scenes to allow fast set changes and the costumes looked the part, too.

Annie was played, on the night that I attended, by Lauren Esposito, who was a real bundle of energy, ideally suiting the character. She gave Annie a sense of playful fun, as well as handling the moments of pathos beautifully. Her solos were delightfully sung and made the role her own.

Miss Hannigan was played by Naomi Crosby, who engaged in enormous amounts of physical comedy, generating equally enormous bouts of laughter. Her comic timing is spot on and she sings wonderfully, too. She is one to watch.

Oliver 'Daddy' Warbucks was played by one of Adelaide audiences favourite performers, Adam Goodburn, who brought just the right blend of the emotionally remote, hard-working and efficient billionaire with widespread political influence and the lonely bachelor, who unexpectedly discovers his humanity again through the beguiling influence of Annie. Goodburn convincingly conveys the change from this cold businessman to a warm and loving step-father. This was another satisfying performance, showing why he is so popular.

Madeleine Russell played his secretary, Grace Farrell, with loads of warmth, charm, a nicely measured degree of sympathy and support, and a neatly underplayed indication that her interest in him and his welfare was rather more than that of an employee to an employer.

Buddy Dawson, as 'Rooster', and Tahlia Fantone, as Lily St. Regis, are a great double act as the conniving confidence tricksters, driving each other along at a great pace and, when joined by Naomi Crosby for the Easy Street number, the three brought the house down.

There was equally good work from all of those in the minor roles, far too many too mention individually, and also from the huge chorus. The big numbers, with the entire ensemble singing and dancing with unbridled enthusiasm, were amazing and drew plenty of applause.

Unfortunately, this production only ran for a few performances and is already concluded. Such a pity that it could not have run for another week, so that many more people could have had the enjoyment of seeing it.

Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Arts Editor, Glam Adelaide.

Wastelander Panda, by Adelaide’s Epic Films, has attracted created a huge stir in the internet community, with over 100,000 views since it was put online on Tuesday.

The three-minute film, which is a live-action tale of the last remaining panda in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, has prompted comparisons to iconic films Mad Max, The Road and The Book of Eli.

Written and directed by Victoria Cocks, Wastelander Panda was created as a prologue for a television series that the team at Epic Films has been developing for the last year.  Since being uploaded on Tuesday, the film has been featured on the front page of popular websites such as Buzzfeed, io9, Gizmodo and Neatorama, and caught the attention of Hollywood writer Gary Whitta.

“As well as the interest on blogs, we’ve had Twitter users commenting about Wastelander Panda in several different languages.  Gary Whitta, writer of The Book of Eli, saw the film, and sent us a message saying “I enjoyed it a lot, very cool!” Even YouTube tweeted the film to their 8 million followers,” said Cocks.

“The most exciting thing has been reading the comments and emails from fans who loved what they saw and are asking us how they can help fund future episodes.  We’ve been looking at the stats from the video, and it’s been seen in over 140 countries, including some as obscure as Moldova, Kyrgyzstan and Greenland.  It’s hard to believe that all these people are sitting in front of their computer watching something we made right here in Adelaide.”

Epic Films raised the money for the prologue independently, with assistance of a grant from the Helpmann Academy.  They also received a lot of support from the local Flinders Ranges communities in Blinman, Parachilna and Hawker, who offered locations and acted as extras in the film. 

They now hope to use the prologue’s success to fund a full series of Wastelander Panda, and will be taking their concept to television stations and funding bodies.  They’re hoping to have production underway by the end of the year.

http://wastelanderpanda.pozible.com

http://www.epicfilms.com.au | http://www.facebook.com/epicfilmsAUS

Three South Australian films have been shortlisted for the 2012 Movie Extra Tropfest Film Festival and two for Trop Jnr. All three films supported through the MRC's Tropfest Production Initiative were shortlisted, as were both films produced in the MRC’s inaugural Tropfest Junior Bootcamp.

The shortlisted entries from SA are: A Tortured Mind (writer/director Dave Wade, producer Bettina Hamilton), animated comedy Clarence’s Kite (writer/directors/producers Chris Spencer & Thomas Cant) and Suburban Samurai (writer/director Craig Behenna and producers David Ngo and Nick Matthews). The 2012 Tropfest Signature Item is "lightbulb". The filmmakers find out on Feb 3 if they are finalists.

The MRC’s Tropfest Production Initiative aims to assist South Australian filmmakers develop and produce an engaging, entertaining short specifically for entry into Tropfest. Cash investment in this year’s projects totaled more than $25,000 plus $15,000 in kind equipment and facilities to support the production of their short films.

“We’re thrilled at the success of these filmmakers, both established and young. We’re proud to support them and wish them well for the next round," said MRC Director Gail Kovatseff.

The participants in MRC’s Tropfest Junior Bootcamp produced two films for Tropfest Junior: Juice Lords and The Making of Juice. The aspiring young filmmakers are Bodhi Stone, Charlie Anderson, Jarrad Lowe, Gina Cameron, Harper Robb, Tallulah Robb and Waniki- Gibuma-Marr.

Tropfest is Australia’s most prestigious short film festival and one of the largest short film festivals in the world.

Trop Jr is a filmmaking competition and free outdoor festival for kids 15 years and younger. Trop Jr is about encouraging young people to make films and follows the same format as all Tropfest competitions, in that all entries must be made specifically for the festival, be no longer than seven minutes, and feature the Trop Jr Signature Item, which for 2012 is JUICE.

The Tropfest and Trop Jnr. finalists will be screened around Australia on Sunday 19 February.

For more info, visit http://tropfest.com/au/

Organisers of the Australia Day in the City celebrations are calling for individuals, families and groups to take part in the Adelaide street parade.

The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) congratulates SA filmmakers who won five categories at the first ever Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards held in Sydney yesterday. 

THE PALACE (Kate Croser, Anthony Maras, Andros Achilleos) won Best Short Fiction Film and best Screenplay in a Short Film for Anthony Maras. Bryan Mason won Best Editing in a Documentary for his work on SHUT UP LITTLE MAN! AN AUDIO MISADVENTURE (Sophie Hyde, Matt Bate) building on the films previous successes, which include Official Selection at the Sundance and Edinburgh Film Festivals in 2011.

Box office hit RED DOG, produced by Nelson Woss and South Australian producer Julie Ryan took out the AFI Member’s Choice Award. The film was shot mainly on location in South Australia at Lower Light and at the Clipsal Factory in Adelaide with South Australian crew.

Red Dog Producer, Julie Ryan said "Making Red Dog and seeing it resonate with Australian audiences has been extremely rewarding, and now to be honoured with an AACTA Award is really fantastic. We worked with an incredible team both in Adelaide and the Pilbara and everyone who worked on it should pat themselves on the back."

Justin Kurzel’s SNOWTOWN made with SAFC support and also filmed in Adelaide was awarded Best Editing (Veronika Jenet). SNOWTOWN also won Best Sound with SA sound professionals, Foley Artist, John Simpson and Sound Recordist, Des Kenneally amongst the winning sound team alongside Frank Lipson MPSE, Andrew McGrath, Michael Carden and Erin McKimm.

SNOWTOWN has an impressive 10 AACTA nominations and is still in the running for Best Film (Anna McLeish, Sarah Shaw), Best Director (Justin Kurzel), Best Adapted Screenplay (Shaun Grant) and Best Supporting Actress (Louise Harris) to be announced at a second ceremony, which will take place on 31 January at Sydney Opera House.

SAFC supported feature ORANGES AND SUNSHINE is still in the running for Best Film (Camilla Bray, Emile Sherman, Iain Canning), Best Lead Actor (David Wenham), Best Lead Actress (Emily Watson) and Best Supporting Actor (Hugo Weaving). RED DOG is still in the running for Best Film (Nelson Woss, Julie Ryan), Best Director (Kriv Stenders) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Daniel Taplitz) at the second AACTA Awards.

SAFC CEO Richard Harris said “We are thrilled with the success of SA filmmakers at yesterday’s AACTA Awards. The SAFC is very excited by how many SA made films and filmmakers have been nominated. The Awards recognise the exceptional quality that South Australia’s key creatives, crew and sound professionals bring to any project. We expect SA will continue to shine at the second AACTA Awards. It’s a great start to the SAFC’s 40th Anniversary year!”

The AACTA Awards are a continuum of the Australian Film Institute (AFI) Awards, which have been awarding screen excellence in Australia since 1958. The inaugural Samsung AACTA Awards Ceremony will be held on 31 January 2012. With several SAFC supported films up for more awards.

For more info and upcoming events see http://www.safilm.com.au/

Directed by Matthew Carey
Reviewed Saturday 14^th January 2012

http://www.cabaretconfessional.com/summerschool

Venue: The Promethean, 116 Grote Street, Adelaide
Season: One night only, two different performances, 5pm and 8pm
Duration: 100mins each performance

During the preceding week a group of fifteen cabaret enthusiasts took part in a series of teaching sessions and master classes under the guidance of Catherine Campbell and Matthew Carey, with extra classes with Libby O'Donovan, Sidonie Henbest and Michael Morley and some advice from Frank Ford. Some were people who have already performed in Fringe and Cabaret Fringe, seeking to hone their skills, and others were beginners looking for a solid foundation on which to build their futures. This all culminated in two performances, eight of the participants appearing at 5pm and the other seven at 8pm.

In the first performance were Carolyn Curtis, Shelley Dunstone, Nic Hurcombe, Alison Kimber, Annie Siegmann, Jade Kops, James McLean and Megan Humphries. In the second were Megan Doherty, Carla Conlin, Lindsay Prodea, Michelle Pearson, Jenny Wynter (who came down all the way from Brisbane especially to attend this course), Rosie Maeder and Harriett Allcroft.

Those taking part were an amazingly diverse group. The youngest participant was only just eighteen and the oldest was, well, somewhat more mature. One was giving her very first public performance and some have performed in the Fringe, Cabaret Fringe and Feast Festivals and also have shows in the forthcoming Fringe. There was also a massive range of themes for their various segments, each of which was around ten minutes and included three songs and linking patter. It also looked a little like a fashion parade, with some amazing outfits and accessories. The performers had pulled out all the stops. In spite of their diversity, they all showed equally enormous levels of enthusiasm and energy, with a lot of thought and rehearsal clearly having gone into their various presentations.

Both performances played to large audiences who obviously loved every one of the segments, with lots of laughter and applause throughout both performances. It was great to see that the performers had established such a good rapport during the week that those in one group were in the audience when the other group were performing, and that there was a lot of emotion as they were saying goodnight to one another at the end of the evening.

Speaking to those involved brought forth great praise and gratitude for being able to attend this course and for the opportunity to take it further to show their work to a real audience in a real venue. All attested to the fact that had learned an enormous amount during a packed week. This is only the second time this Cabaret Summer School has been run and, this time, had more people enrolled that the first time so, if you have any thoughts of taking part in 2013 make sure you book the moment that it is announced, as there is a limit to the number of places.

Congratulations must go to everybody involved, both the participants and the organisers and tutors, for the enormous amount of hard work that would have gone into the week to result in such a great evening of entertainment.

Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Arts Editor, Glam Adelaide.

Bellarouge was founded by Carmel Margaritis and Maree Stoubos after noticing a lack of entertainment options for events and functions in Adelaide. The Bellarouge dance troupe consists of up to 10 girls, each of which having over 20 years dance experience, ranging from jazz, ballet, contemporary, callisthenics, funk, hip hop, and commercial.

The average age of the group is 24 years with extensive experience performing at functions for the Adelaide Crows, the Adelaide 36ers, Port Power, the SANFL, charity functions, and major events across Adelaide. The dancers have also represented the state and country in national dance competitions and performances through all age groups, in various genres.

Carmel Margaritis – Creative Director of Bellarouge produces and choreographs the shows for a wide range of audiences and believes Bellarouge is just what the festival state of Australia needs.

“If you want entertainment with a classy, sexy edge, then Bellarouge is for you. The show consists of some of the best and most beautiful dancers Adelaide has to offer – all having their own special, unique talent to show off,” says Carmel.

Bellarouge specializes in cabaret, commercial style dance and particularly burlesque; creating original entertainment performances specific to the client, available for corporate functions, Christmas shows, events, parties, and promotional work.

“You will be in awe at how beautiful these girls are from the moment the show starts , right up until the finish, and you will not be able to take your eyes off them.

“Our audiences are entertained with music that makes them want to dance, in conjunction with colourful props and stunning costumes that always amaze and please,” says Carmel.

Bellarouge has the maturity, experience, and depth to produce the ultimate dance spectacular and the desired outcome for
the client. Catering to all needs, Bellarouge can be hired for a 20 minute floor show, or a tas te of Burlesque with a five
minute routine. If interested in booking Bellarouge, please contact Carmel Margaritis on 0412 198 296 /
bellarouge@live.com.au or Maree Stoubos on 0419 150 229 / bellarouge@live.com.au

http://www.facebook.com/BellarougeDancers

The Mount Barker JazzFest has been renamed HOOT! Adelaide Hills Jazz Festival – Mount Barker.

“The event is going to have a major facelift, starting with its brand,” said Mayor Ann Ferguson. “It will maintain its Mount Barker core, but it will be heading off in an exciting new direction that will showcase us to the rest of Australia."

“We will be looking to venues in surrounding townships to spread the entertainment. It promises to deliver new and exciting initiatives, along with some old favourites, that will capture the imagination of locals and tourists alike.”

The festival has already signed New York City’s Hammond Organ legend Dr Lonnie Smith. For over five decades Smith, who was signed to the famous Blue Note Records, has furthered the sound of the jazz organ, created a worldwide fan base and revealed his immense musical talent on over 70 albums.

HOOT! The Adelaide Hills Jazz Festival – Mount Barker is still in its planning stages but some elements are already confirmed for the festival, which will take place over the June long weekend, June 8-11 2012.

The festival will include an opening ceremony/street party with free admission, jazz on StreamRanger trains, funky jazz of all genres, roving performers, street stalls, local wines, jazz soul food and a festival club.

Full program details will be released and tickets will go on sale in mid-April.

Interested artists can contact Adelaide Hills Marketing on (08) 8391 0144 or email clientservices@adelaidehillsmarketing.com.au