NZ Filmmaker’s Film Premiering at Cannes Short Film Corner

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Tuesday 10th May 2011
NZ Filmmaker’s Film Premiering at Cannes Short Film Corner This Week

“Drowning” the latest film from New Zealand born director, Miri Stone, is premiering this week at the Cannes Festival screening as part of the Short Film Corner 2011 and is already attracting interest from other festivals.

Miri Stone says she is thrilled to have her work screening at this prestigious international festival.

“This is my second short film to be screened at the Cannes Short Film Corner and I am thrilled that our work is being exposed to international industry players. I think it’s vital that as emerging filmmakers we have the opportunity to showcase our work and I’m very thankful that the Cannes Short Film Corner offers us this extraordinary platform to show our stuff."

“Drowning” is about a woman who is drowning in grief as she struggles to purge the images of her dead boyfriend from her mind. On the day of his funeral she flees to the beach where he died, walks to the edge and considers taking her own life. Instead, she finds acceptance and begins to move on.

“Drowning” was produced on a dime in the spirit of indie filmmaking and shot on the pro JVC GY-HM100E HD camera and sound equipment provided by their sponsors, Summer HIll Media Pty Ltd. Intercut into this standard cinematic style was the innovative “YouTube self-generated style” underwater sequences, shot on the consumer Panasonic Lumix camera (DMC-FT1), which brought the immediacy of raw surf beach environment and the emotional climax to a head capturing the actors performances. Whilst allowing the filmmakers to significantly lower production costs by freeing the production from hiring expensive underwater housing, this approach also gave the film a unique and highly engaging blend of modern and traditional filmmaking techniques which deliver a powerful and engaging story within the six minute runtime.

Lunar Wolf Productions, the Sydney-based production company that Miri Stone founded with two talented actress/writer/producers Shay Spencer and Gillian Emmett, is moving from strength to strength. With their short films “Drowning” and “Peanut Butter” on the festival circuit and a number of short-form transmedia projects and feature films in development, there is no doubt that this trans-Tasman partnership is leading these female filmmakers to international success in the film industry.

Lunar Wolf Productions has a history of fostering strong community around their projects. Many award winning and emerging talents came together to make this production possible within the limited budget and production timeframe - the lead is played by Shay Spencer who also co-produced and co-wrote the film and is currently working on Stephan Elliott’s latest Australian feature film “A Few Best Men” as producers attachment; the original score was composed by Matthew Dewey, an award-winning composer from Tasmania who responded to a “shout-out” sent by the filmmakers through Twitter; Linda Campbell, the sound designer, is now working on A Few Best Men in post production; and both Michael Chrisoulakis, the editor, and Peter Humble, the director of photography, are themselves award-winning filmmakers in their own right with projects on the international festival circuit.

When asked what the next step will be for Lunar Wolf Productions Shay Spencer said “We have a number of innovative projects in development, some of which are slated for production in Sydney and Wellington this year. We are currently focusing on building production partnerships to strengthen and broaden our reach and connectivity with our audience. We are also keen to utilise the amazing support Screen Australia, Screen NSW and the New Zealand Film Commission offer emerging filmmakers."

Gillian Emmett, Associate Producer of “Drowning”, is attending Cannes on behalf of Lunar Wolf Productions.

In addition to writing and producing with Lunar Wolf, she is a talented Australian actress who’s star is rising following her supporting role in the US film “Suing the Devil” opposite Malcolm McDowell and guest role opposite Richard Roxburough in the hit Australian TV show “Rake”.

When asked about why she is looking forward to the festival Gillian Emmett said “Nothing beats the opportunity to meet and make international connections.Cannes is such an exciting event, I am pleased to be representing Lunar Wolf Productions and I look forward to connecting with many wonderful future colleagues and collaborators."

ENDS

Other information about the film:

“Drowning” (short film, 2011)
You can drown in grief. It takes courage to learn to float.

Cannes Short Film Corner listing: http://www.shortfilmcorner.com/sfcfilm/filmfiche2.Aspx?id=53649601 Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWboqV3wjwM Full cast and crew credits available on imdb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1813272/

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