Attending Annecy

Filled With Water could be viewed at the MIFA digital video library - the Festival’s Animation Market at Annecy in France. The festival vibe was quite different then NewFest in New York, it felt much more intimate then the big smoke and the people attending where too of a different kind. Mad animators instead of lots of queers! I carried my iPod with me at all times during the festival - to show people my film in the event that they couldn’t make it to the MIFA market. This proved to be a very successful marketing tool and i was able to show the film to a Quebec festival programmer, who wanted to take a copy with him! We were also encouraged to network at the professional practitioner’s party (for invited filmmakers and animation students only). Since I was offered a student accreditation for the festival, I was invited to this filmmakers’ party, which was great. Additionally, the MIFA animation market was well set up for networking with people working in the animation industry, from across the globe. It was here where I generate interest in my work via a meeting with the Flanders Animation delegation. They have now conducted an interview with me that is posted on their website. Click here to read the interview. I met so many industry people, I’m not sure how the organizers keep track of it all. But given these circumstances I believe they did a fantastic job.

I attended so many screenings and events at both these festivals that it’s hard to describe what I gained out of each session, but some of these tangible benefits will no doubt be there in the future even if they’re not all visible yet. I believe if it was not for my attendance to both NewFest and Annecy - with the support of the AFC and the NTFO - my career as a filmmaker might not have gathered so much positive successful momentum as it is taking now. It is so important for filmmakers to be nurtured and feel supported when they are making works artistically, and the AFC and the NTFO fill these supportive roles.

I would like to give a massive thanks for your support. It has given me new drive and focus for my work, and a much stronger sense of the reality of the global film and animation community.

While attending these festivals Filled With Water was HIGHLY COMMENDED in the most Innovative category, Best Australian Short Films, Dendy Awards Sydney International Film Festival, June 07

Watch Filled With Water on the big screen in San Francisco’s Frameline on the 16 and 24 of June in their FUN IN GIRL’S SHORT program, in Melbourne on the 23 of June in the AUSTRALIAN PANORAMA #1 program at MIAF and in Philadelphia on the 18 of July as part of the 13th International Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.