ADELAIDE'S AUTEURS GATHER FOR STATE SECTOR GALA

Adelaide’s iconic Mercury Cinema will roll out the red carpet on May 16 for the annual The South Australian Screen Awards, the prestigious event celebrating its 15^th anniversary in 2014. Honouring the filmmakers of arguably the most vibrant state film sector in Australia, the gala welcomes dignitaries to an evening that honours the region’s short-film visionaries across 16 key categories. Ahead of the event, SCREEN-SPACE profiles the nominees in one of the most hotly contested fields, the Best Short Drama.

ENFILADE
Plot: A man awakens in a room with two doors. Each door “loops” into the other. The only objects within the room are a red ball and a revolver containing a single bullet. How do you escape a loop?
Watch if you liked: Cube (Vincenzo Natali, 1997); Symbol (Hitoshi Matsumoto, 2009) 
The most important lesson I learnt from the film-making experience was…: “…resources matter in filmmaking. We made Enfilade without funding on a budget of $2900 with a crew consisting nearly entirely of students. We are incredibly grateful to the kindness exhibited to us by family, friends, filmmakers, non-filmmakers, mentors and local businesses that allowed us to create a film beyond our monetary means.” – David Coyle, Director (pictured, above).

OMEGA
Plot: Australia has gone dark, one city after another fades out into the night. A comet looms in the sky, its silent approach filling the population with dread. What will this comet bring? What is Omega? An apocalyptic vision seen through the eyes of an idealistic soldier (Adam Schmerl; pictured, right) and the nurse he loves (Kate Englefield).
Watch if you liked: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (Lorene Scafaria, 2012); Miracle Mile (Steve De Jarnatt, 1988).
The most important lesson I learnt from the film-making experience was…: “…not to underestimate the support and determination of the Adelaide film community. Despite not having a film school behind me, I was still afforded the opportunity of having both industry professionals and fellow new starters (such as myself) to help realise Omega and bring it to completion." – Peter Ninos, Director.

BORDER
Plot: Grief and guilt erode the already fractured existence of the teenage Lara (Emma Watson) and her father (Gary Harrison), all that is left of an idyllic life torn apart by tragedy. When her young love Vince (Russell Lucas) reappears, Lara is torn between the memory of a once happy family and her desire to be with Vince, despite her father’s wishes.
Watch if you liked: Puberty Blues (Bruce Beresford, 1981); River’s Edge (Tim Hunter, 1986).
The most important lesson I learnt from the film-making experience was…: “…trusting the process.  Meaning that if you know what your vision is and if you believe in yourself and your vision, and if you pick the right people to help you in the journey, then most likely the result will be something good." – Nima Raoofi, Director (pictured, left). 

PALE BLUE DOT:
Plot: Franciose (Mandahla Rose; pictured, right) is an astronaut, her interstellar journey bringing her back to a home planet that has all but been destroyed. She reunites with her husband, who lives an idyllic existence by the ocean, but Franciose knows she must return to her time to warn the planet of its impending demise. But can she go back?
Watch if you liked: Solaris (Andrei Tarkovsky, 1972); The Fountain (Darren Aronofsky, 2006).
The most important lesson I learnt from the film-making experience was…: “…never be afraid of being smart but try not to be too clever for the films good. Showing off can distract from the storytelling.” – Aaron Schuppan, Director.

DELUGE:
Plot: The planet is consumed by a flood of biblical proportions, the rain forcing small groups of survivors into dark, underground enclaves where their faith and sanity are tested. So desperate is this existence, one group has turned to the ritualistic drowning of children. The last in line, a 12 year-old boy named Briggs (Elijah Baker), may be mankind’s only hope of survival.    
Watch if you liked: 1984 (Michael Radford, 1984); Children of Men (Alfonso Cuaron, 2006). 
The most important lesson I learnt from the film-making experience was…: “…to always follow your vision, no matter how stressful or cluttered the process becomes. Don't take the shortcut. Fight for what you want to be on the screen.” – Danny Philippou, Co-director (pictured, left; with co-director, Michael Philippou).

The 2014 South Australian Screen Awards will be held at The Mercury Cinema in Adelaide on Friday May 16. For full information including winners from all categories visit their website.

SCREEN-SPACE Managing Editor Simon Foster was among the judging panel for the Best Drama Short.