Screen Australia congratulates the filmmakers who have been selected to participate in the 67th Berlin International Film Festival in 2017. Eight Australian films – Casting JonBenet, RED DOG: True Blue, EMO the Musical, Monsieur Mayonnaise, After the Smoke, Wolfe, Smashed and Wutharr, Saltwater Dreams – have so far been announced for inclusion in the festival, affectionately known as Berlinale.
In addition, three Australians – producer Lee Matthews (EMO the Musical), director Tony Radevski and editor Anthony Cox – have been chosen to participate in the concurrent Berlinale Talents professional development program for emerging filmmakers.
Casting JonBenet, from Australian director Kitty Green, will make its European screen debut in Berlinale’s prestigious Panorama independent cinema program. Green’s 2013 film Ukraine is Not a Brothel was invited to appear at the Venice Film Festival that year and screened at over 50 festivals internationally. Her latest documentary offering shines a light on the unsolved death of six-year-old American beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey which remains one of the world’s most sensational child murder cases. Casting JonBenet has recently been acquired by Netflix and will also screen at Sundance Film Festival this month where Green is currently undertaking a Sundance Institute fellowship. Casting JonBenet received support from Screen Australia through the Documentary Development and Producer programs.
Also selected for Generation 14plus are three Australian shorts – After the Smoke, Wolfe and Smashed. The strong presence of Australian filmmakers at Berlinale coincides with the beginning of a year of official celebrations focusing on Australia’s relationship with Germany. The Australian Government’s Australia Now Germany 2017 program is a cultural partnership designed to promote creative excellence, diversity and innovation through international collaboration.
