This newsletter features information about:
Screenworks events 
Local news 
Deadlines 
National news 
Opportunities 

SURVIVING AS A WRITER
Award winning writer Alana Valentine will present a free seminar at Northern Rivers Screenworks on Friday October 1.

Alana is in the Northern Rivers as part of NORPA's Creative Development Lab. She is currently working on a stage play called 'SENSATE', about a woman who is drawn into a community of bird callers. She is also working on a TV series with Northern Rivers writer Roger Monk called FAT TUESDAY and with director Geoff Burton on an adaptation of her stage play SAVAGE GRACE as a film for the Indigo series.

In January her verbatim stage play about the South Sydney Rabbitohs RUN RABBIT RUN was presented at the Belvoir Street Theatre and, as the recipient of the 2003 NSW Writer's Fellowship, she is currently researching a new verbatim work about the women who were incarcerated in the notorious Parramatta Girls Home.

Alana has written for television - McLeod’s Daughters. She has also been the recipient of the 2003 NSW Writer’s Fellowship, the Rodney Seaborn Playwrights Award, a NSW State Literary Award, a Churchill Fellowship, the ANPC/New Dramatists Award, an AWGIE Award for best original radio play and most recently, a Centenary medal for her writing. She was invited to
Canada's Banff Colony for the Arts and was the Writing Fellow of the International Artistic Fellowship at London's Shakespeare Globe Theatre.

For this forum, Alana focuses on the diversification of her writing - in the stage, television, film, radio, and museum contexts - and looks at how a writer can express themselves in a variety of different media.

The seminar will be held Wednesday 6 October, 10-12.30 in the Byron Bay office of Screenworks. To rsvp or for details call Kate Ingham at Screenworks 66809220 or email kate@screenworks.com.au Suite 5, 95 Jonson Street, Byron Bay.

Funded by the Australian Film Commission & NSW Film + Television Office

PRODUCER INCUBATOR CALL FOR APPLICATIONS - DEADLINE 8 OCTOBER
4 producers with projects that are substantially developed, but require further support to reach funding and other financing opportunities in the market will be selected for this incubator.

The producers will be contracted and attached to an appropriate advisor producer for a period of 25 hours over a few months. Under the guidance of the advisor, producers will develop their project keeping records and maintaining a trajectory for the project to the market place.

Northern Rivers Screenworks will be offering each producer attendance to the 3 day SCREENLAB workshop in late November, convened by Marcus Gillezeau, which will assist with framing how the project can reach the market place across the range of media platforms.

The process will also involve a budget one-on-one session with a MoneyPenny accountant.

This project has been supported by the Australian Film Commission, the Beach Hotel and MoneyPenny Film Services.

To apply, forward a one page description of the project, be it a documentary, short, feature, animation or television program.

Provide a brief biography of the key principals of the project – writer, director, producer. If you are the only principal, that is fine – the process will assist with locating the other key personnel.

Projects will be selected by an external assessment panel based on the criteria:
• Strength of the project idea
• Capacity to bring to market
• Capacity to benefit from the mentor and workshop process.

For more information about this project contact Kate Ingham on 02 6680 9220 or kate@screenworks.com.au/

Applications should be delivered to the Screenworks office by no later that 5pm on 8 October.

AFC CLINIC
It is worth noting that AFC Project Manager Jackie McKimmie commented that the projects she discussed with practitioners this year (some 14 of them) were far better conceived and presented than she had experienced last year.

Tweed economy to get boost from Overseas TV show
Federal National party MP Larry Anthony says the Tweed Heads tourism Industry will get a "priceless" boost from two new television productions set to get underway in the northern NSW region.

Bangalow Outdoor Film Festival - BOFF
Look out for BOFF program, the festival starts on October 1. They are also looking for volunteers. Please call Paul Martin Tel: 66808555

Film Artists Co-op
Next meeting Thursday 7 October
The upcoming meeting will feature project pitches, updates on work in progress, and open discussions regarding insurance matters and sponsorship potentials. To book a five min pitch email Larry Larstead.

HIBIS
If you are unable to get access to broadband, there is a government subsidised scheme, HIBIS, which allows $100 installation and $40 monthly charges (only in areas where you cannot get Telstra ADSL). Contact NORLINK to take advantage of this opportunity and get connected!

Byron Film Club
FRIDAY 1 OCTOBER @ DENDY BYRON - 10.30am - 1.30pm
24 shorts from the BFC screenings to be screened as part of BOFF. Celebrity judges to select a film to be screened before the BOFF premiere of SOMERSAULT.
FRIDAY 15 OCTOBER @ 9PM BYRON LOUNGE CINEMA
Arts Factory Byron Tickets from 8.30pm
3 minute Messiah entries and a GREAT selection of shorts
FRIDAY 26 NOVEMBER @ 9PM BYRON LOUNGE CINEMA
Arts Factory Byron Tickets from 8.30pm (Feature + Doco)

Regional television exceeds local content quotas
Regional commercial television broadcasters have all met their local content quota requirements in the first six months of the operation of the license condition imposed by the ABA in 2003.

A big month on tele for local documentary maker
Documentaries showcasing the work of Catherine Marciniak screen on both SBS and ABC during October. The first to go to air is BEYOND THE ROYAL VEIL on SBS, Friday 15 October at 7.30pm. The documentary tells the story of two former rulers in India as they try to maintain a very costly heritage in a world where they are increasingly an endangered species. BEYOND THE ROYAL VEIL was co-directed by Catherine Marciniak and Sarina and Singh with cinematography by Catherine Marciniak.

On Wednesday 20 October at 9.30pm, the series TALES FROM A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL commences on the ABC. This is a four-part series for ABC's Catalyst following children's medical stories.

First of the rank is CHLOE'S STORY. This one hour doc won Best Documentary Human Interest category at the 2004 ATOM Awards. In a heartfelt observation it tells the story of a young girl's struggle with relapse leukaemia and explores behind the scenes the science of her treatment.

On Thursday 21 October at 8.00pm the second doc in the series is SKIN DEEP which examines the treatment of burns.

On Thursday 28 October at 8.00pm is the episode COST OF LIVING which follows the struggle for life of a baby that was born at 23 weeks gestation.

And finally on Thursday 4 Nov at 8pm, OUTREACH explores the successes and failings of medical science for Aborigines living in remote areas of Australia.

TALES FROM A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL features Catherine's work as co-director on location and cinematographer. Series director is Steve Westh.

Australian Film Commission
1 October - Low Budget Feature Development
1 October - Seed Funding - Documentary for experienced practitioners
1 October - Documentary Project Development
8 October - Early Development Funding - Interactive Digital Media
22 October - Fellowships
22 October - Draft Funding Dramas for teams with feature credits
5 November - General Development Investment
Check http://www.afc.gov.au/ for guidelines

Film Television Office
1 November – Young filmmakers Fund
3 December - Aurora Intensive Workshop for Scripts.
For more information visit www.fto.nsw.gov.au

Film Finance Corporation
1 October - Documentary Film-maker Innovation Fund
The FFC will apply $750,000 of its annual documentary funds for the production of up to five documentary programs with no requirement for market attachments. It will allocate $150,000 to each project. Information available at http://www.ffc.gov.au/

30 September - Raw Nerve Short Film Initiative
Produce a short video up to 5 minutes in two days with filming equipment supplied by Metro Screen. Spend 3 days in post-production at Metro Screen. You choose your own Mentor from the industry to assist with your film. Guidelines and application forms available online at www.metroscreen.org.au/rawnerve.html or email metro@metroscreen.org.au

1 October - Coonabarabran Flix In The Stix Short Film Competition
Films will be screened over several nights from 27 to 29 October at the Flix in the Stix venue, Coonabarabran, celebrating and encouraging the development of local and regional filmmaking. Coonabarabran Short Film Competition is part of the 2004 Festival of the Stars. Major prize for each of two categories: General & Documentary $500 worth of your choice of film equipment, & People's Choice. For more info go to www.ambercourt.net/flix/

1 October - AFC's low-budget feature development program applications
The AFC is looking to support the development of low-budget features with distinctive story ideas, inventive storytelling, emotional resonance and something to say, across all genres. Selected filmmakers will attend a one-week workshop, which looks at creative and practical issues for low-budget scripts, production methods, innovation and cinematic direction, before they commence their draft. For application info go to www.afc.gov.au/funding/fd/drama/fund_56.aspx

8 October - Composing For Screen Competition
The Northern Rivers Conservatorium has received funding from the Australian Performing Rights Association to run a Composing for Screen competition. Contestants will be asked to choose 10 minutes of footage from the film supplied and compose 10 minutes of music as a soundtrack. $1,500 prize money. More info and entry form: Contact NRCAC Gabrielle O'Shannessy 6621 2266 or Jill Aitken 6621 2266.

8 October - Black Nights Short Film Competition
The objective of this inaugural film festival is to raise the profile amongst Australian filmmakers of black & white as a media. Hence, we are seeking entries of short black & white films produced by Australian filmmakers for the event. The films must be between 2 and 7 minutes in length. More details (including the competition rules & entry form) are available
from Blavod's web site at http://www.blavod.com.au/

11 October - Penrith Valley Video Festival 2004 entries
Submissions must be VHS (PAL) only.
http://pvvf.cdm.uws.edu.au/

21 November - Shorts Film Festival 2005
Films can be from 1 minute to a maximum of 20 minutes and of any genre. Films must be on Mini-DV or DVD and originally shot on any format but must have been completed within the preceding 18 months of the final entry date. Films that have been entered in other festivals are eligible to enter. For details and entry form go to http://www.shortsfilmfestival.com/
For further information contact:
Festival Coordinator Michael Clarkin - mandalor@arcom.com.au
Entries Coordinator Julie Lewington - lewington@chariot.net.au

ALP announces arts policy
The ALP's arts policy was announced on 14 September. SPAA has applauded the ALP for pledging to immediately address the production financing crisis with a one-off $50 million cash injection for the FFC this financial year, while taking the time to develop a "Blueprint for Growth" for the film and television industry.

Labor plans to provide an extra $105 million for the ABC over the next four years and two packages of $10 million for the AFC. One is for a low budget feature fund and the other for an interactive digital strategy. It will also allow the ABC and SBS to multichannel without restrictions on content.

SPAA/ASDA lay down code for TV
The Screen Producer's Association of Australia (SPAA) and the Australian Screen Director's Association (ASDA) have released a Code of Practice to be used in television drama series.

ABC appointments
Head of Drama - Scott Meek, Scottish producer of Hamish Macbeth.
Head of Documentary - Stuart Menzies of December Films (SHARED TABLE, MAMA TINA, GREY VOYAGERS, MUDDY WATERS, AUTO STORIES).
Head of General Factual - Denise Eriksen (THE GAMES, HESSIE'S SHED, THE CRAIC DOWNUNDER)
Head of Specialist Factual - Sonya Pemberton (current Exec Producer with Science Unit).

Up close and personal with new evaluation system
The Film Finance Corporation of Australia (FFC) has released an information paper outlining the aims of its newly instituted feature film evaluation system. The paper includes details on how the system works. See http://www.ffc.gov.au/

Amendments to FFC Investment Guidelines for Adult and Children's Television Drama
The FFC has amended the investment guidelines for adult and children's television drama that were introduced on 1 July 2004. The new guidelines will come into effect in December 2004, when the second tranche of FFC funds becomes available in these categories.

Seven green lights dramas
The Seven Network has given the green light to two new dramas aimed at younger audiences, Burberry Productions' LAST MAN STANDING and HOME AND AWAY spin off, CAMPUS.

Yasmin Allen on Film Australia board
Federal Minister for the Arts, Senator Rod Kemp, has announced the appointment of Yasmin Allen to the board of Film Australia. Her appointment will last for three years. Allen is currently a non-executive director of the Australian Government's Export Finance and Insurance Corporation, Macquarie Specialised Asset Management, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service and the Salvation Army Investment Advisory Board.

Aus/UK venture looks to invest $150m
Investment bank Goldstream Capital Group (Australia) has formed a joint venture with UK film finance and production house Future Film Group to facilitate long-term investment and production in Australian feature film projects.

Briz31 gets Brisbane Community License
The Australian Broadcasting Authority has allocated a community television
license for Brisbane. The successful applicant, Briz31 will broadcast on channel 31.

Internet Mark 2
The Internet Analysis Report - 2004 is out now for those involved in web development and networks at http://www.internetmark2.org/

Documentary audiences on the rise
Who’d have thought that the influx of reality TV would prove itself beneficial for documentary makers - the audience for observational documentaries has multiplied since the introduction of reality televisions to our screens.

Kris Noble: New Director of Programs at Endemol Southern Star
Kris Noble has joined Endemol Southern Star as Director of Programs after completing the 4th series of BIG BROTHER for the Network Ten.

Digital deeply divides media players
Australia's media industry has emerged deeply divided over how to increase uptake of free-to-air digital TV after 37 submissions were made to the federal Government's first digital TV review.

Digital TV through Telstra?
Telstra has provided a new twist in the debate on the future of digital TV, saying broadband Internet take-up would be threatened if the Seven, Nine and Ten Networks were allowed to provide extra digital TV channels.

ITV wants to dump Seven shareholding
UK television broadcaster ITV is looking to sell a range of 'non-core' assets, including its 12.3 percent stake in Australia's Seven Network.

International online film festival registration system launched
A new Internet film submission platform called 'reelport' has been launched for Filmmakers from around the world to enter their work in the Oberhausen, Gothenburg and Vila do Conde film festivals.

Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum to be revived
The organisers of the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) have called for submissions for next year's edition, which marks the long awaited, return of the Hong Kong-based projects market following a four-year hiatus.

The Kelly gang lives on
Surviving footage from Australia's first-ever feature film, THE STORY OF THE KELLY GANG (1906), has been selected by UNESCO to be added to the Memory of the World Register, established in 1992 to protect and promote the world's most significant documentary heritage.

Indigenous films for Smithsonian Museum
The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian has requested the
entire Metro Screen Lester Bostock Scheme catalogue. The Lester Bostock Scheme is a joint initiative between Metro Screen + thins Film & Television Office providing Indigenous storytellers with the chance to make a short film. The next call for entries will be early January 2005.

COMICS COURSE
Do you have a passion for super heroes? Kingscliff TAFE is running a new 12 weeks FULL -TIME comics course starting in February 2005.This course has been designed not just to draw superheroes but also to develop skills in story telling for all the diverse range of books that the field snow made up of. MASTER CLASSES with many of the Aussie professional creators will also be available. More info can be either obtained from KINGSCLIFF TAFE or by emailing: theartofcomics@hotmail.com

Video course for young people
If you’re a young person between the ages of 15 and 24, have not completed year 11, are currently unemployed, and can handle doing a course FREE of charge, then this is for you. Byron Youth Service will be running a 10-week film course around February 2005. Call Byron Youth Service 02 6685 7777 for more information and keep an eye on the web site at http://www.bys.org.au/

Call for Submissions for Art of the Documentary Film Competition
ANU and the National Museum of Australia are calling for entries for the
AD-04: Art of the Documentary Film Competition. Make a 5-minute documentary in three weeks on one topic. Prior to entry, entrants must not have produced more than 20 minutes of professionally accredited footage. The topic will be announced 17 September. For details, visit: http://arts.anu.edu.au/artofdocumentary/filmcomp/

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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.