How Can You Make An ATOM From An Anthouse?

How can you make an ATOM from an Anthouse?

Anthony Maras, Founder and Director of South Australian production company, AntHouse Films, knows only too well the influence that ATOM award recognition can have on the success of productions - both nationally and internationally.

"The ATOM Awards were one of the first award programs to recognise our films. The ATOM nomination we received in 2005 in the Best Short Film category for Azadi gave us enormous confidence in the production, particularly as we knew we were being recognised by our peers," commented Mr Maras.

"The ATOM Awards were a terrific launching pad for Azadi and it was very important for us to have our film acknowledged in our home country before going on to tackle the international festival circuit."

After the ATOM Awards, Azadi - a refugee drama set in the Woomera Detention Centre - went on to win a string of other awards in Australia and internationally, was invited for official selection in over 35 international festivals and was nominated for an AFI Award for Best Short Film.

This year, Maras has received finalist recognition in the Best Short Fiction category for its production 'SPIKE UP'.

Written and directed by Anthony Maras, 'SPIKE UP' is described as a 'searing, hardboiled Australian drama' which explores the themes of family, friendship, sin and redemption and stars Australian actors Roy Billing (Rabbit Proof Fence, The Dish), Marcus Graham (Mulholland Drive, Good Guys Bad Guys, Blue Murder) and Lisa Flanagan (Look Both Ways, Aussie Rules).

SPIKE UP has also been nominated for Best Short Fiction Film in the 2007 AFI awards.

Anthony and the AntHouse Films team are currently working on their next film, a Death Row drama set in West Texas called 'The Last Wish Girl'

The screenplay for 'The Last Wish Girl' has received accolades at numerous festivals and awards ceremonies around the world. It was just one of 10 scripts to be selected from 5879 contenders for honour by the extremely competitive Academy Awards Nicholl Fellowships as one of the best new screenplays by a new writer.

"It's wonderful to see both up-and-coming and well recognised film makers submitting their work for ATOM judging and it's particularly exciting to see familiar names submitting their new works each year," commented Amber Nelson, Event Manager, 2007EnhanceTV ATOM Awards.

"Perhaps we'll see AntHouse films in the running for another ATOM award some time soon for The Last Wish Girl", she added.

The 2007 EnhanceTV ATOM Awards will be presented at a gala presentation event, held in the Plaza Ballroom, Regent Theatre, Melbourne on Friday 19 October, 2007.

The 2007 EnhanceTV ATOM Awards program is open to the education and industry sectors, students, production companies, independent filmmakers, educational bodies and educational producers in both countries.

The 2007 EnhanceTV ATOM Awards program is sponsored by EnhanceTV, Adobe Asia Pacific, Victorian Government - Department for Victorian Communities, Avid Australia, Monash University, Encore Magazine, Metro Magazine, Metroscreen, Open Channel and Qpix.

The 2007EnhanceTV ATOM Awards are funded by the Australian Film Commission, South Australian Film Corporation and the New South Wales Film and Television Office.

For more information about the 2007 EnhanceTV ATOM Awards please visit www.atomawards.org

ENDS

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