Screen Queensland to waltz into Winton

Screen Queensland announced that it is supporting the inaugural Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival being held in Winton from today, Friday 27 June to Sunday 6 July 2014 through its Screen Culture funding program.

“Supporting events such as Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival allows Screen Queensland to extend the reach of film activities throughout the state including to regional, rural and remote areas and supports our government’s Arts for all Queenslanders commitment,” said Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira.

“We recognise the importance of screen events and activities across the whole of Queensland and as such, our Screen Culture funding assists in presenting film festivals screenings, skills workshops and visits by Australian and international filmmakers.

“Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival is particularly important as it has an Australian focus and more than ever, hearing our voices and seeing our world reflected back to us as Australians on screen is essential to keeping our own distinct culture in place.”

The Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival program includes retrospective and contemporary Outback-inspired films screened under the stars in Winton’s Royal Open Air Theatre; filmmaking workshops (including the role of Indigenous culture in filmmaking); public discussions with filmmakers; children’s film program; special events and film competitions targeting students in Western Queensland.

“Winton, birthplace of Qantas, has its rich history, not only in film history, but as the home of Waltzing Matilda and dinosaur experiences in Australia. It is fast becoming known as the Hollywood of the Outback,” says Winton Shire Mayor, Cr Lenton.

Several major film productions have been shot in Winton including Mystery Road, the 2013 Outback-set thriller which had its Queensland premiere at Winton’s historic Royal Mail Outdoor Theatre in October last year. Directed by Iven Sen and produced by David Jowsey, Mystery Road was proudly supported by Screen Queensland. Nick Cave’s The Proposition was also filmed in Winton plus Outback scenes for the contemporary psychological thrill Gone. Producer Bill Leimbach will commence filming the Australian epic feature film Waltzing Matilda in October 2014 and as supported by Screen Queensland.

Winton is also a part of Screen Queensland’s Film Friendly Pathways Program which promotes Queensland as a film friendly destination. The region boasts an incredible range of landscapes and vegetation, as well as impressive museums, galleries, homesteads, working farming stations and historic period buildings. Screen Queensland’s recently launched iPhone app contains images and further details on the town’s locations. Further information on the Screen Queensland app can be found here.

In supporting the growth of a dynamic film industry in the Outback, Screen Queensland will be visiting the region to participate in the festival and meet with local screen practitioners and emerging talent. Screen Queensland will hold a ‘meet and greet’ session on Friday 4 July at 4 pm – 5 pm at Winton’s famous North Gregory Hotel, the birthplace of “Waltzing Matilda” (first publicly recited at the hotel by Banjo Paterson in 1895.)

Tracey Vieira will also be a judge for “A Town Like Winton”, a short film competition which is an initiative of the Winton community and the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival, reigniting interest in the role of the Outback as part of Australian culture.

Mark Melrose, Vision Splendid’ s Festival Director, says that the aim of the festival is to develop Winton and Outback Queensland as a desired filming destination by lifting the profile of Outback-inspired films.

“We hope that film producers, directors, or anyone interested in making films, look to Queensland’s Outback for motivation when considering their next movie. The festival is not just about the films, it also includes a series of conversations and workshops designed to develop skills and knowledge in screen production.”

For further information on the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival and Screen Queensland please visit www.screenqueensland.com.au.

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For media enquiries, please contact:
Angela Samut
Communications & Marketing Manager
Screen Queensland
T +61 7 3248 0500 | M 0405 536 548
E asamut@screenqld.com.au