06 September 2012

Once the sun sets on September 12, short films by current UniSA Media Arts students and talented high school students will be screened outdoors. The University of South Australia’s Magill campus will come alive at dusk when the University hosts its first Magill @ Twilight Short Film Festival as part of an information event for the Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences.  

Once the sun sets on September 12, short films by current UniSA Media Arts students and talented high school students will be screened outdoors in the campus’s picturesque surroundings.  

The night will conclude with the announcement of the winners of the UniSA Filmmaker and UniSA Aspiring Filmmaker competitions, which will go to one UniSA student and one high school student respectively.

The films, which are all under eight minutes in length, encompass a range of genres including romance, drama and crime. For third year UniSA student Alex Graham, the festival is a chance to present his crime-drama debut, Leverage, which he co-wrote and co-directed with fellow UniSA student Chad Turner. 

Leverage is the story of a man who runs into an ex-work colleague at a diner – their discussion turns to the man’s resignation from criminal life and how it may involve the death of him and his family,” Graham says.

“Chad and I both wanted to make a drama after having made a few comedy films together.  The film's basic concept was just a blending of two very similar ideas we both had for a short, one-location crime film.

“I love brainstorming and coming up with ideas, but the most fulfilling part of creating a film is seeing the final product. My passion is making movies, so I hope to continue writing and directing films for the rest of my life!

“I intend to continue my education by doing Honours at UniSA next year and eventually I hope to move and find work overseas.”

In addition to the film festival, Magill @ Twilight will give prospective students the chance to explore the Magill campus, find out about the range of programs on offer and experience what it’s like to study at UniSA through a number of presentations, information booths and interactive workshops.

Professor Clayton MacKenzie, Head of the School of Communication, International Studies and Languages, says Magill @ Twilight will be an event everyone in the community can enjoy.

“Visitors to Magill campus will be able to talk to staff and current students, discover the Division’s state of the art facilities and even participate in interactive workshops to experience what university is really like,” Prof MacKenzie says.

“Launching our inaugural film festival at the Magill @ Twilight event is a fantastic opportunity for the wider community to get a taste of the first class, creative work the students at our University produce.

“We’re also thrilled to have local high school students involved in the festival – they are the writers, film producers and directors of tomorrow.”

Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket, grab some popcorn and enjoy the night’s films with family and friends.

The Short Film Festival will be held at UniSA’s Magill campus from 6:30pm to 8:00pm on Wednesday, September 12 as part of the Magill @ Twilight information event being held from 3:30pm to 8:00pm.  

Media Contact

Rosanna Galvin office (08) 8302 0578 email rosanna.galvin@unisa.edu.au

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