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‘Back to Nature’ (Trailer)
In eight-part ABC factual series Back To Nature, hosts Aaron Pedersen and bestselling author Holly Ringland will guide viewers through the wonder and awe of the Australian landscape, exploring stories that reconnect the audience with the natural world and with Country.
Premiering on Tuesday August 10 at 8pm, in each episode Holly and Aaron visit a new Australian location, each within easy reach of a city or town. This series isn’t about travelling to exotic, faraway places, but about seeing the local and accessible with fresh eyes and deeper appreciation. Along the way, the hosts meet people connected to the landscapes. A few are well known, like John Williamson, Missy Higgins, and Poh Ling Yeow, however many have ancestral connections with the country stretching back tens of thousands of years.
Back to Nature is a Media Stockade and Threshold Pictures production, with Rebecca Barry and Madeleine Hetherton producing with Jane Manning series producer.
The directors are Kimberley Benjamin, Dena Curtis, Manning and Sophie Wiesner.
Pederson is an EP, with ABC executive producer Frances O’Riordan and ABC head of entertainment Nick Hayden.
Back to Nature was commissioned by ABC TV and funded in association with Screen NSW and The People and Parks Foundation.
Source: IF Magazine
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Aaron Pedersen To Headline Australia’s ‘Back To Nature’ Factual Series
Aaron Pedersen, star of “Mystery Road” and “Goldstone” has begun filming in Australia of factual lifestyle series “Back to Nature.” The show, comprising eight half-hour episodes, is co-hosted with author Holly Ringland (“The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart”).
The series is a new exploration of Australia’s hugely varied landscapes, geographies and local stories. Filming is expected to take in: ancient rainforests of Gondwana in the South East of Queensland; the high Country of the Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales; the volcanic landscape of the Macedon Ranges, Victoria and Larapuna; and the Bay of Fires, on Tasmania’s North East Coast.
The producers pitch the series as combining “gorgeous flowing cinematography, immersive soundscapes, and compelling emotional stories (which) will help the audience connect and reconnect with nature in a way they never have before.”
“Back To Nature” is a Media Stockade and Threshold Pictures production with international rights sales handled by Escapade Media. The series was commissioned by ABC TV and funded in association with Screen NSW and The People and Parks Foundation. Jane Manning of Threshold is the series’ producer and director. Producers are Rebecca Barry and Madeleine Hetherton of Media Stockade. The ABC executive producer on the series is Frances O’Riordan, while the show was greenlighted by ABC head of factual and entertainment, Josie Mason-Campbell.
“One of my greatest passions is sharing the magic of the natural world through story. Stories cultivate empathy and understanding; nature offers us stories that reflect our common experience of what it is to be alive. Being in nature, and connecting to nature through story, is how we come home to ourselves and each other,” said Ringland in a prepared statement.
Source: The Variety
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Debi Marshall Investigates: Frozen Lies - Premieres on Foxtel
Debi Marshall Investigates: Frozen Lies - Media Stockade's new 5-Part true-crime series premieres on Foxtel.
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CHINA LOVE SCREENS AT GZDOC2018
Director Olivia Martin-McGuire and Producer Rebecca Barry were invited to attend GZDOC2018, Guangzhou. The film screened to a sold out cinema and was warmly received by the local audience. Olivia and Rebecca were also selected to pitch China Love Series at the prestigious GZDOC pitch forum and were delighted to be voted in the Top 10 Pitches of the event. We are looking forward to collaborating more with Chinese broadcasters and companies on co-productions. Can't wait for GZDOC2019! Marketing assistance was provided by Screen Australia and DFAT.
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CHINA LOVE INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE AT DOCNYC
We are thrilled to announce that our film CHINA LOVE will have its International Premiere at DOCNYC on the 9th of November at 7:45PM at the Cinepolis Cinema in Chelsea! You can grab tickets via this link: http://www.docnyc.net/film/china-love/
CHINA LOVE is screening in the True Love section of the festival. Director Olivia Martin McGuire and producers Madeleine Hetherton and Rebecca Barry will be flying over to attend the screening and the DOCNYC PRO conference. Associate Producer Amelia Chappelow, a current NYC resident will also be there too!
Please let your friends and networks know about the screening and hope to see you there.
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'What I know now': Directing China Love
This is an insightful interview with director of China Love, Olivia Martin-Mcguire. Caris Bizzaca, from Screen Australia asks Olivia the deeper questions of the challenges of making a feature documentary for the first time. Olivia offers up some wonderful insights both practical and philosophical. Well worth the read!
https://www.screenaustralia.go...
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CHINA LOVE COMING TO CINEMAS ACROSS AUSTRALIA
Media Stockade is delighted to invite your to be one of the first Australians to see the film China Love, the documentary that goes behind the lens of the real life Crazy Rich Asians. China Love takes us on a billion-dollar ride of fantasy exploring contemporary China through the window of the flamboyant pre-wedding photography industry. This documentary follows Chinese and Australians as they navigate love, weddings and family in the lead up to the most important ritual of Chinese society – getting married.
For session times go to https://au.demand.film/china-love/. Note: all tickets must be pre-purchased online before the screening. If you can’t find a location near you, you can host your own screening and sell tickets via your social media channels to your mates and colleagues.
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THE SURGERY SHIP FINALIST AT PRESIGIOUS JACKSON HOLE MEDIA AWARDS
Media Stockade is delighted to announce that The Surgery Ship Series is a finalist at the Jackson Hole Media Awards.
There is very strong Australian contingent this year with fellow nominees Vitamania and How Fungi Shaped Our World, also in the running. Congratulations to the finalists in 20 categories spanning content, program and craft in the science media field. This year’s competition saw more than 500 entries competing for 21 special awards. Over 100 international judges screened an aggregated 1,250 hours of media in order to select the finalists.
Award winners will be announced during SMASH18 - The Science Media Awards & Summit in the Hub, in Boston, September 25-27.
Many thanks to our hard working crew and our partners at National Geographic, Screen Australia, Create NSW and Mercy Ships Australia.
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I Am A Girl to screen around Australia as part of Doc Social
What if people around Australia came together to watch the same social impact documentary each month and became a lasting part of that film’s impact?
Are you passionate about the real issues that affect our society? Want a place where you and like-minded mates can watch the best feature-length, social impact documentaries on the big screen?
Documentary Australia Foundation (DAF) have teamed up with EVENT Cinemas to bring you D O C S O C I A L – showcasing the very best social impact documentary films, one each month for ten months in celebration of DAF’s ten-year anniversary.
Each month starting in March come watch life-changing documentaries about the issues that matter. Select screenings will feature an exclusive Q&A with special guests from the film industry and not for profit sector to highlight the lasting impact these films have had, and how you too can get involved.
Come together for the 1.00pm matinee or bring your colleagues to the 6.30pm after-work screening where you can stay for a drink and meet other socially conscious documentary lovers.
Get updated about future documentary screenings. Subscribe to Documentary Australia Foundation. Want to know more? Download the DocSocial Impact Guide.DATE: From 8 March
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Disaster Capitalism x Walkley Foundation screening at State Library of NSW
When Walkley Talks return to the State Library of NSW in February 2018, join us for a screening of the new independent documentary film Disaster Capitalism, written and co-produced by independent journalist and author Antony Loewenstein, followed by a discussion about freelancing, war reporting, filmmaking, objectivity in conflict zones, the role of journalism and aid.
Filmmaker Antony Loewenstein says, “Disaster Capitalism challenges the concepts of aid and development in Afghanistan, Haiti, Papua New Guinea and the US through the lives of local people and my eyes as an investigative journalist.” Disaster Capitalism is directed by Thor Neureiter and co-produced by Media Stockade.
Speakers:
- Antony Loewenstein, journalist, author and filmmaker, Disaster Capitalism
- Monica Attard, head of journalism faculty, Macleay College / former foreign correspondent
- Hugh Riminton, Network Ten
- Yaara Bou Melhem, independent videojournalist
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THE SURGERY SHIP SERIES PREMIERES ON NATGEO PEOPLE
The first episode of Media Stockade's series The Surgery Ship premiered on NatGo People Channel last week. The series follows the courageous Australian doctors and nurses on board the ‘Africa Mercy’ surgery ship, providing lifesaving medical treatments to one of the most disadvantaged areas in Africa.
Based on our award-winning documentary of the same name, this eight-part series returns to The Surgery Ship over the course of a year to take a more in-depth look at the inspiring stories of the volunteer doctors and nurses making life and death decisions every day, as well as the thousands of patients who desperately need their help.
With 70% of the world’s population unable to access essential surgery, many common, treatable illnesses become fatal. The ‘Africa Mercy’ surgery ship provides vital medical aid to those people who are unable access the care they need in any other way.
For the doctors and nurses on board, they face the biggest medical and ethical challenge of their lives. Not only are they confronted by unbelievable illness that many have never seen outside of textbooks, they must also make incredibly difficult decisions about who they are able to help out of the thousands of patients who travel to the ship. A dramatic journey unfolds as they deal with life and death cases – and balance the fates of these patients in their hands.
It is not just the patients who are transformed on board the ship, the volunteers will also be challenged to their limits. Success and failure all follow as they battle to help the overwhelming need. The medical dramas of the patients play alongside the challenges and triumphs of the medics. While the cultural, religious and social melting pot of life on the ship produces transformation on all sides.
If you don't have access to Foxtel the easiest way to view the entire 8-part series is to sign up to Foxtel Play.
Start a free two-week trial: https://www.foxtel.com.au/
foxtelplay/build/ package?execution=e1s1
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THE OPPOSITION TO OPEN 2017 HUMAN RIGHTS ARTS & FILM FESTIVAL (HRAFF)
The 10th Human Rights Arts & Film Festival (HRAFF) is thrilled to announce its Opening Night event – The Australian premiere of Hollie Fifer’s controversial documentary The Opposition. The film will screen in Melbourne on Thursday 4 May and go on to screen in Canberra and Brisbane.
Steeped in legal disputes designed to block its release, The Opposition details the struggle of 3,000 residents of the Paga Hill community in Papua New Guinea, who watched helplessly as police bulldozed their homes to make way for a luxury resort. Two community leaders rose to help, but were driven down different paths when faced with a choice – keep fighting for justice or join the enemy.
This gripping documentary is Australian director Hollie Fifer’s debut feature. It grapples with a subject so inflammatory that it prompted one subject to file an injunction against the film’s release.
"Some stories pick you. This was one of those. The first time I met the Paga Hill community was on my second day in Papua New Guinea when they were dealing with a violent forced eviction - an egregious human rights abuse. We've been making the film together over five year and I’m so honoured this film will play in my home city of Melbourne at HRAFF - a leading human rights festival," says Fifer.
"We are absolutely delighted to be holding the Australian Premiere of The Opposition to open our milestone 10th Anniversary festival. We're so proud to be supporting emerging Australian filmmaking talent and this impressive feature film debut from director Hollie Fifer is not to be missed,' says the Festival’s Program Director, Lauren Valmadre.
The Opposition screens Thursday 4 May 6.30pm at ACMI Cinemas in Melbourne with an introduction by director Hollie Fifer and protagonist Joe Moses. Opening Night celebrations continue downstairs in ACMI’s Lightwell with entertainment by musicians Onur and Emral from Festival event Key of Sea (Sat 13 May at Footscray Community Arts Centre).
The Opposition also screens in Canberra on 29 May at Palace Electric and Brisbane on 1 June at Palace Barracks.
HRAFF’s Opening Night is proudly presented by Bank Australia.
To book Opening Night tickets visit: hraff.org.au/the-oppositionThe full program will be announced Tuesday 4 April. For more information about the Festival visit hraff.org.au
HRAFF 2017 FESTIVAL DATES:
MELBOURNE 5 May – 18 May
Film Venue: ACMI
Art Venues: No Vacancy, Footscray Community Arts Centre, the Immigration Museum, Fitzroy Library, Newport Substation, Koorie Heritage Trust
SYDNEY 23 May – 27 May
Venue: Dendy Cinema Newtown
CANBERRA 29 May – 31 May
Venue: Palace Electric Cinema
BRISBANE 1 – 3 June
Venue: Palace Barracks
For all media enquiries contact Asha Holmes Publicity:
Ghita Loebenstein | 0411 436 620 | ghita@ashaholmespublicity.com.au
Asha Holmes | 0403 274 299 | asha@ashaholmespublicity.com.au
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Sinéad McDevitt selected for the ADG Commercial and Content Directing Mentorship
We love nurturing new female talent at Media Stockade so we are especially pleased to see the extraordinarily talented Sinéad McDevitt selected as part of the inaugural Commercial and Content Directing Mentorship supported by Australian Directors' Guild & Screen Australia. Can't wait to see where Sinead and the other mentorees are in a few years.
Media Stockade and Sinead have been collaborating on a documentary series The Love Experiment which generated much interest when pitched the AIDC FACTory event last week.
More information about the program here.
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The Opposition Takes Home Top Prize at FIFO
After so many challenges to get The Opposition in front of audiences, Media Stockade is delighted to announce that the film took home the top prize at FIFO Tahiti! Director Hollie Fifer was there to accept the award on behalf of the production team who all work tirelessly to ensure the film. This is the first of many film festivals for this important and controversial film. Next stop Norway!
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Media Stockade Goes to AIDC
Media Stockade projects, The Love Experiment and Double Happiness, have been selected for the AIDC FACTory pitch forum in March.
We are busily getting our pitches together and practising our power posing* for the big day. Delighted to be working with two talented and up and coming directors Olivia Martin-McGuire and Sinead McDevitt.
Bit more about the project here:
Double Happiness (Australia) – What is the New China Dream when it comes to love? Double Happiness explores contemporary China through the window of the $80 billion pre-wedding photography industry. Director: Olivia Martin-McGuire; Producer: Rebecca Barry & Madeleine Hetherton. Media Stockade.
The Love Experiment (Australia) - Humans crave connection. Yet 50% of our daily interaction is with a screen. In a global first, this series will attempt to reconnect the world via an uplifting social experiment – with a basis in hard science. Director/Co-Producer: Sinéad McDevitt; Producers: Rebecca Barry & Madeleine Hetherton. Media Stockade.
* https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_lang...
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Media Stockade expands with new Impact Campaign Consultancy and The Doco Club.
Following a successful 2015, Media Stockade is pleased to announce a new arm to the business with an Impact Campaign Consultancy and audience engagement platform, The Doco Club. The company is also delighted to announce the appointments of Teri Calder as impact producer and Danielle Kelly as Business Affairs Manager.
Media Stockade Company Director’s Rebecca Barry and Madeleine Hetherton said, “We are hugely passionate about both producing high-quality documentaries and ensuring they reach audiences and create a powerful impact. We are absolutely delighted to be able to formalize our leadership in the area of impact producing with both Teri Calder and Danielle Kelly joining the team.
Thanks to the generous support we’ve received from Screen Australia’s Enterprise Program, we can now continue our growth trajectory. Through both The Doco Club and our Impact Campaign Consultancy, these new initiatives will not only benefit our company, but will contribute to the overall growth of a wider network of Australian filmmakers who experience difficulty finding audience for their work.”
Media Stockade’s Impact Campaign Consultancy aims to work with social issues filmmakers to create powerful impact campaigns for public good, assisting to deliver a critical mass of screening events in non-theatrical settings – via communities, schools and businesses – that work to support a film’s social impact goals. The consultancy will provide a range of support and advice services including, strategy and fundraising support as well as the creation of dynamic customized materials to elevate and creatively support screenings.
New clients Media Stockade are working with on impact campaigns include Southern Light Films and Body Image Movements’ feature documentary Embrace (d: Taryn Brumfitt) and Tea Pot Films’ feature documentary Legacy (d: Tony Prescott).
The Doco Club, to be launched later in 2016, will offer alternative distribution avenues to independent documentary makers, return revenue to producers, and create a documentary viewing community beyond broadcast and theatrical screenings.
It will be an online platform, based on the concept of the ‘Book Club’ – bringing people together to watch and discuss well-crafted, powerful topic, social-impact films in public screening events. It is a return to the campfire, promoting and celebrating the power of film to evoke change and action. Madeleine and Rebecca said, “2015 was a huge year for Media Stockade with the release of our film Call Me Dad and the production of The Opposition. The Surgery Ship and I Am A Girl have also continued to have a global footprint. We can't wait to share our impact skills and activate documentary audiences.”
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WELCOME TO THE NEW WEBSITE
Media Stockade has just launched its new website and portfolio.
We’re excited to be able to show off our work, projects, and keep you in the loop through our blog.
We’re still filling it up, expect more in the coming weeks. Check out our new reel
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