CURTIS LEVY

Curtis Levy is an independent filmmaker whose films have been shown widely throughout the world and have won many international awards. Recent films include The President Versus David Hicks, about the Australian Taliban fighter, David Hicks (Australian Film Institute Award for Best Documentary Film) and Hephzibah, about the acclaimed concert pianist and human rights activist, Hephzibah Menuhin. Hephzibah won several awards including The Silver Wolf Award for Best Video Documentary at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, and the Australian Film Institute’s Award for Best Documentary Film. He has made several films in Indonesia including High Noon in Jakarta, an intimate portrayal of Abdurrachman Wahid, the first democratically elected president of Indonesia. His film Breakout about the mass suicidal breakout of Japanese prisoners-of-war from their camp at Cowra in New South Wales, won the Award for Best Television Documentary at the Chicago International Film Festival.

ANNA BROINOWSKI

Anna Broinowski has been making counter-cultural films since she dropped out of acting in 1995. Hell Bento (SBS/AFC) won Best Australian Documentary - Sydney Film Festival, Bronze Plaque - Columbus Film Festival, screened theatrically, and has sold to Russia, Taiwan, Italy, Austria, Israel and Finland. Sexing the Label (SBS/FFC) won Best Director - Films des Femmes, Best in its Category - Columbus Film Festival, screened theatrically and has sold to Ch 4 UK, Finland, Austria and Canada. Romancing the Chakra (ABC/FFC) sold to Taiwan and Arena TV and has screened at several festivals. Anna’s first short, Tsunami won Best Post-production - St. Kilda Film Festival, screened at the British Film Festival and Slamdance USA and was released on the Slamdance DVD, 12 Angry Women. Her second short, Burqa, featured in the independently released 2004 omnibus feature, Time to Go John.

 Anna’s latest documentary Helen's War - Portrait of a Dissident (SBS/ZDF/CBC/FFC) won the 2004 Australian Film Institute Award for Best Director – Documentary and Best Documentary (Dendy's) - Sydney Film Festival, received an Honourable Mention at the US Chris Awards, showed in Hors de Concours – Banff, and was nominated for an AFI for Best Documentary, an Independent Film award, an Australian Film Critics’ Circle award and a 2004 Canadian Gemini Award. It screened theatrically in Australia throughout June.

In 2001-2002 Anna worked as a project manager at the Australian Film Commission. She has project assessed for the NSWFTO, the AFC and the ABC, been a judge on the UN Media Peace awards, the Reelife Film Festival, Flickerfest and the Canberra Short Film Festival, and is currently national ASDA representative on the Spaa/Asda Documentary Council.

CATRIONA MCKENZIE

Catriona McKenzie graduated with Honours in Directing at the Australian Film, Television and Radio School in 2000.

During her time there, Catriona directed numerous critically acclaimed and award winning short films, including Box (the story of a young man who takes the lessons of the boxing ring into his life), The Third Note (starring Deborah Mailman), Road (26 minute drama about two young men on an odyssey) and Redfern Beach.

In 2001 she directed the SBS TV/Film Australia half hour documentary Jetia Nai Medical Mob and Macuma, Outsider Looking In for ABC TV and in 2004, two episodes of Fire Flies for ABC TV and also the multi award winning documentary Mr Patterns for ABC TV and Film Australia.

Currently in post-production on Grange, a half hour drama for ABC TV Catriona is also shooting Ran for Chapman Pictures and SBS TV and is also in development on three feature films.

Catriona has also done video installations for the National Australian Museum in Canberra and the 4a Gallery in Sydney. In August, the Australian Centre of Moving Image at Federation Square Melbourne showcased Catriona’s work, including her short films, TV drama work, documentaries and commercials.

SUE BIELY

Sue Biely has been the Acquisitions Editor for the late night alternative arts series ZeD on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for the past three seasons, where she leads the team responsible for the screening and licensing of short films from around the globe.

Coming from a strong background in film and performing arts Sue has a Degree in Theatre and Film, a Diploma in Physical Theatre and a Certificate in Arts Administration and Management.

She has headed the Development Department at British Columbia Film where she supported indigenous talent in creating TV series, features, and documentaries. As an Associate Producer she has a 13 part travel series under her belt and was a founding principle in an all female film company called Hot Roller Productions. As a volunteer, Sue Co-Chairs a Program Committee for a film and video mentorship project for street involved youth.

Committed to developing talent and global stories, Sue is thrilled to check out the offerings of filmmakers Down Under.

JAIMIE LEONARDER

Jaimie Leonarder aka Jay Katz has been involved in underground artistic ventures for well over twenty-five years. He and his partner Aspasia were the subject of a Pagan/SBS independent film called ‘Love & Anarchy’ The Wild Wild World of Jaimie Leonarder.

They are devotees of independent cinema running a screening venue for the use of independent filmmakers looking for a small intimate venue to screen their short films in their own home called the Mu-Meson Archives. His wife and creative partner Aspasia who was working as a diversional therapist when they met is now an avid archivist of lost and contemporary film culture. They run a film night once a week at the Annandale Hotel showing repertory Cinema on 16mm film called Cult Sinema Monday. Jaimie and Aspasia both have an affinity to young people and their creative needs. There mission at the moment has been to find as much lost and forgotten Australian cinema as possible coming across a 16mm film print of ‘Wake in Fright’. Avid collectors of lost film footage they have became Robin Hood figure’s to the A.B.C. finding them more original lost footage of their T.V shows from the early 60’s than any other private organization and are still coming across more all the time.

In 2003 Jaimie was invited to give a lecture for the St George Council and Silent Film Cell organization to the students of year’s 11 & 12 on independent filmmaking. Jaimie has been hosting and presenting the National Student Film & Video Festival at Sydney University for the last three years. He has also given lectures in Adelaide at the Mercury Cinema and in Melbourne on lost film genres e.g. Christian Cinema, Educational and Instructional shorts.

LOUISE SMITH

Louise Smith began her career as a producer at visual effects company GMD where she cut her teeth as a producer of TVC's, and music videos. This was followed by a stint as a trailers and electronic press kit producer at Australia's leading trailer house, Zealot. It was at Zealot that Louise met actress Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under) and went on to producer her award winning short film and Rachel's directorial debut, Tulip.

In 1999 Louise formed Igloo Films and began producing and developing feature films under her own banner. During this time Louise also produced shorts with award winning TVC director Derin Seale Static, and upcoming directors Nash Edgerton The Pitch and Marcelle Lunam Jimmy Little: Messenger. Over the last five years Louise has also worked on the TVC campaigns for local and international clients such as Coca-Cola, Fox 8, Panasonic, Toyota, Xerox, Pioneer and Festival Records.

In 2002 Louise continued her association with Rachel Griffiths as a producer on Roundabout, Rachel Griffiths' second short film as a director, and co-produced Tony McNamara's feature film debut The Rage in Placid Lake with Marian Macgowan.