Only eight days to go until SPAA Fringe 2003 takes place at the Byron Bay Community Centre from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 November. Register now as there is definitely a cut-off number for registrations. For full program details and registration, visit www.spaa.org.au/fringe or pick up a copy from Screenworks.

The SPAA Fringe Conference is an intensive and interactive three-day conference with informative and practical know-how sessions aimed at the low-budget and aspiring filmmaker.

There are over 40 speakers this year, with each session designed to guide and inspire film and television makers to successfully approach the business of film and television.

For program highlights visit http://www.screenworks.com.au/index.php/page/events.html#fringe

NSW FTO Pitching Competition @ SPAA Fringe
If you have applied and been chosen for the pitching comp at Fringe – Screenworks has a video of the recent Pitch n’ Punt competition. Come in and hire it for a few tips!

A fun night was held last month, with seven pitchers presenting very polished and engaging pitches.  The audience was entertained by MC Neil Young’s personal film and TV acting highlights that he gave spontaneously while we waited for a very long 20 minutes for the judging panel to arrive at their difficult decision. Congratulations goes to Cate McQuillen and Aliison Kelly with their project UNDA.RAGERS who were the winners and have received a complimentary registration to perform their pitch at the SPAA Conference in Melbourne. Highly commended went to Brett Paradise for his pitch for CHOP WOOD.

If you would like to meet with Susan MacKinnon, Documentary Investment Manager FFC, please call Screenworks on 6680 9220. Susan will be available for 4 x half hour meetings Sunday morning of SPAA Fringe, 16 November. Meetings would be particularly relevant for people that are in the process of financing their documentary projects.

16 practitioners attended an extremely successful MediaLab - three days of workshop located at the state of the art facilities of SAE in Byron. With Marcus Gillezeau as main facilitator, and guest speakers Thom Saunders of FAT COW MOTEL and Tim Parsons of Sugar, the experience was extremely well received by participants. 

Feedback included “cutting edge info from people who are driving the changes within the industry”, “Stimulating - made me think creatively of my own projects and uncover opportunities”, “ Incredibly informative, with great material to take away with us. Far better than I expected.  (I learned) aspects of web design, the importance of standing your ground when negotiating with broadcasters over contracts...”

Thanks to the AFC, NSW Film and Television Office and NSW DSRD’s Travelling Experts Program.

We are calling for people with lifestyle TV series ideas who would like to be included in a possible Screenworks mentoring program.

SPAA FRINGE – November 14, 15 + 16. Register online www.spaa.org.au/fringe

Screenworks Christmas Party -  6pm, 18 December at the Screenworks office.

Congratulations  to Anne Chesher for being appointed as Homegrown Filmworks Co-ordinator. The Tweed Shire project aims to produce six short films over the next 12 months.

Hatchling Production’s THE MAN WHO STOLE MY MOTHER'S FACE has been accepted for screening at the Sithengi Film Festival in Cape Town. The film was launched at MIP TV in Cannes this month and has already sold to CBC in Canada and there is interest from broadcasters in the USA, Germany, the UK and South Africa. THE MAN's Director, Cathy Henkel, is also one of four finalists in the Independent Spirit Award at this year's Lexus IF Awards to be announced in November. Good luck Cathy!

Hatchling has also recently attracted ABC & AFC funds to GOON BUT NOT FORGOTTEN, a documentary about Spike Milligan - and Cathy Henkel is off to the International Documentary Forum in Amsterdam in late November to pitch the project to broadcasters from the UK, Europe and Canada.

John Weiley has returned from the US where he secured the support required to fund his latest project STARCHILD, a high definition digital production which will be distributed on hard drive and screened digitally in planetariums and museums worldwide. Much of the imagery is being captured digitally by space-based telescopes and sensors but some will be scanned from live action footage shot locally.

Gaia Films received $30k AFC development funding for BRIDGING THE GAP, a documentary looking at elders and young Bundjalung peoples creating a healing space. They also covered the first get together of 120 Bundjulung men for 66 years.

SAE short film festival winners will be announced via http://www.filmfestival.com.au/ on 22 November.

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Northern Rivers Screenworks is supported by the Department of Transport and Regional Services, Sustainable Regions Program and the NSW Department of Regional Development, Developing Regional Resources Program.