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Steinar Ellingsen: Festival Director’s Message
Wow, that went fast! What a whirlwind three days?!
The dust has started to settle after a brilliant weekend of celebrating web series.
The third edition of Melbourne WebFest was our biggest yet across the board: we received more submissions (more than 200); we had a bigger Official Selection (51 series); a more packed program (4 workshops, 5 screening blocks, 1 panel and 2 gala events); more awards were given out (16); and, we had the biggest attendance we’ve had so far at our events (more than 1200 across all three festival days).
None of this would be possible without the good-will and support from our partners and sponsors; the hard work of our board, volunteers, interns and judges; the support from the public; and, of course the amazing work of web series creators in Australia and around the world.
Thank you to all of those above for making Melbourne WebFest 2015 one to remember!
In coming weeks we’ll be sending out a survey asking what you loved about the festival, how you think we can improve next year and what some of your favourite moments were.
In the meantime, make sure you check out all the episodes from our winning series (and Official Selections) and stay tuned for more info about what’s next for Melbourne WebFest.
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MWF 2015 Award Winners
Best Screenwriting: Anna Kerrigan, The Impossibilities (USA)
Best Editing: Mike Nayna, Dayne’s World (Aus)
Best Cinematography: Arnaud Dumas, The Banks (Canada)
Best Actor/Ensemble: Veronica Milsom & Steen Raskopoulos, The Record (Aus)
Best Director: Hervé Baillargeon, Michaëlle en sacrament (Canada)
People’s Choice Award: LOST in LA (Aus)
Outstanding Diversity Award: Gettin’ DOWN (USA)
Best Non-fiction: Stories of Youth (Norway)
Best Drama: Michaëlle en sacrament (Canada)
Best Sci Fi: Elba – Napoleon’s Legacy (Italy)
Best Suspense: Judas Goat (UK)
Best Comedy: The Katering Show (Aus)
Best Animation: BIGSHOT (France)
Innovation Award: Airlock (Aus)
iView Award: Dayne’s World (Aus)
Grand Jury Award: Feminin / Feminin (Canada)
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MWF 2015 in review…
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, MWF 2015 was at its biggest and BEST yet (just ask our anyone.)
We started the MWF “weekend” on Thursday at Loop. It was great to see Melbourne web series enthusiasts fill the room to watch our six Spotlight on Melbourne series.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3196″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3197″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Friday started with our Industry Development Day, this consisted of four killer workshops and of course finished over at Deakin Edge, Fed Square for our Opening Night event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3198″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3199″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Highlights of the night included a hilariously funny keynote from Nick Boshier and Connor Van Vuuren, featuring lines like “good characters are like stingrays, there’s two sides to them”. After that we did a lot more networking, before heading over to Little Sista.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3200″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3201″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Saturday started with the Animation and our first Comedy Screening Blocks then came Non-Fiction, thenSuspense/Thriller and Sci-Fi/ Fantasy. Saturday night was spent at Jasper Hotel for Lean Filmmaking’s famous pitching game, which was a bucket of fun, followed by some more networking.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3202″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3203″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Sunday was the final day of MWF 2015 and we spent it in the best way possible, watching incredible web series content from creators all over the world with Drama. After lunch was the long awaited “Millions are Watching” panel with Christiaan Van Vuuren and Nick Boshier (Soul Mates/Bondi Hipsters), Tamasin Simpkin (Producer, The Katering Show), Enzo Tedeschi (Airlock, The Tunnel, Event Zero) and Zach Ruane (Aunty Donna), moderated by LOVELY AND INTELLIGENT Beatrix Coles.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3205″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3206″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]More screenings with Comedy round two followed and then it was finally time for the awards, hosted by our favourite comedy trio Aunty Donna! And boy did they deliver one hell of a show! Our Awards were announced, it was jokes galore and perhaps the best ending to an award gala yet (see below for proof.)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3207″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3208″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Then it was off to Beer Deluxe for some after-party madness![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3209″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][image_with_animation image_url=”3210″ animation=”Fade In” img_link_target=”_self”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]We had an absolute blast at Melbourne WebFest 2015, this was probably and we hope you did too. Congratulations to all of our Official Selection series and Award winners. See you all next year!
You can see plenty more photos from the weekend on our Facebook page. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_video link=”https://youtu.be/Cw1aylBREKE”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][divider line_type=”Full Width Line”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Alumni of MWF? Working on a new project? Having a showcase or a special screening? Starting a new crowdfunding campaign?
Doing something else that’s interesting?
Let us know and we can help you spread the word!
Contact us via social media or email Georgia Kavanagh-Dando on georgia@melbournewebfest.com
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][divider line_type=”Full Width Line”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Please stay tuned for more exciting announcements coming to your inbox soon.
Media enquiries: Simone Flanagan simone@melbournewebfest.com | Ph: 0403292180[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]