Sydney’s artistic fraternity came together in force this week to reward and recognise the city’s most creative and innovative characters. The 2009 SMAC Awards, held at Helm Bar, saw leading musos Kim Moyes, Kirk Pengilly alongside Archibald prize winner, Del Kathryn Barton and Academy Award winning director, Steven Soderbergh, turn up to honour and celebrate this year’s winners.

Muso turned politician John Wardle, who has tirelessly campaigned to get the POPEs abolished, took home the most prestigious award of the evening, the SMAC of the Year. The SMAC of the Year is awarded to the most outstanding artist, professional, or group/collective in any field in Sydney who forwards the cultural fabric of Sydney. John’s work has since opened the floodgates for Sydney musicians to be able to play ‘string free’ in venues across the state.

Oscar-winner, Cate Blanchett, was awarded Best Performer following her performance in A Streetcar Named Desire for The Sydney Theatre Company – her award was collected by her husband Andrew Upton. Fergus Brown was awarded Best Sydney Song for ‘John, She Was Never Only Dancing.’

In the music categories, electronic trio Seekae won Best Live Music Act whilst the Best Music Event went to Nick Cave’s All Tomorrow’s Parties. The Record of the Year award went to the Lost Valentinos for their debut album, Cities of Gold, whilst The Red Rattler was awarded Best Collective and Sherlock’s Daughter picked up Next Big Thing – Music.

Sydney artist, Wade Marynowsky was given the accolade for Best Artist with Semi Permanent, the annual design convention, winning Best Arts Event and the Sydney Festival winning Best Major Festival. I Heart Kings Cross was awarded the Remix in the City Award for rethinking what’s possible and getting creative within the ever colourful area. The event saw the community come together to knit giving residents and visitors an insight into the creativity of one of Sydney’s best loved suburbs.

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The 11th SFS Festival is around the corner and all preparations have started for these two amazing days and nights which will take place at the Palace Academy Twin on the 15th and 16th of December.

More then 60 short films are currently in the production and what awaits us is an exiting range of eye-opening documentaries, engaging dramas and contemplative thesis films, which will be shown on the big screen in this highly anticipated event!

Each festival more than 500 film-lovers join us in celebration of another semester completion testifying to the high caliber of short films made by the new generation of talented filmmakers.

Seen & Heard is a film festival that battles the celluloid ceiling, celebrates the diverse and extraordinary work of women filmmakers and their not-to-be-underestimated diverse and extraordinary audiences. Seen and Heard in 2010, its second year, will follow on from a showcase of questions on class, race, ability/disability, gender and sexuality.Gender equality behind the camera is serious business. Seen & Hear are seeking films of high quality in which women have played significant production roles.

What: Seen & Heard 2010
When: 14th to 17th January 2010
Where: The Red Rattler, 6 Faversham St, Marrickville, Sydney
Contact: lucy {at} seenandheardfilms(.)com

Aspiring young filmmakers and film lovers are invited to the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery, Deerubbin Centre (1st floor), 300 George Street, Windsor on Saturday 14 November from 1pm until 2.30pm, for the launch of ‘CHICK FLICKS’ – a digital storytelling screening by young women in Western Sydney.

The event will be officially launched by Hawkesbury Mayor Bart Bassett, and will kick off with a screening of 14 mini films about young women, by young women, telling stories of what they treasure, love and hope for in today’s world.

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Our competition for the Coffin Rock movie tickets has now closed. Thank you to everyone that entered we had an overwhelming response. The winners are listed below and your prizes will be sent this week. Thanks again to Jameson PR for your generous support!

P.Matheos – Penshurst, NSW
S. Leong – Randwick, NSW
E. Bakkalis – Dingley Village, VIC
D. Hadiwibawa – Narellan Vale, NSW
J.Emmerson – Putney, NSW
L.Limas – Kardinya, WA
T.Lee – Concord, NSW
S.Southwell – Seaton, SA
R.Sheridan – Port Macquarie, NSW
N.Fenwick – Burney, TAS

Two Flat Whites in conjunction with our friends at Jameson PR are giving ten (10) lucky people the chance to win one of 10 double passes to the new Australian film Coffin Rock which is in cinemas now.

COFFIN ROCK is an intense Australian thriller from the producer of “Wolf Creek”.

Heading the cast are one of Australia’s favourite female actors, multi-award-winning Lisa Chappell (McLeod’s Daughters) and Robert Taylor, a stalwart of Australian and international cinema (The Matrix, Vertical Limit, Ballykiss Angel) The film also features rising star Sam Parsonson (The Pacific, Love My Way). The ensemble cast also includes Terry Camilleri (Knowing, The Truman Show, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures) and Geoff Morrell (Ned Kelly, Oscar & Lucinda, Marking Time).

Drawing inspiration from nail biters such as Fatal Attraction and Cape Fear, COFFIN ROCK is the feature debut of writer/director Rupert Glasson, whose short film Teratoma screened at many international festivals, including Sundance 2004.

Please email your name, postal address and where you heard about the competition to info {at} twoflatwhites(.)com for your chance to win!

Competition closes Sunday, 1st November 2009.

Two Flat Whites in conjunction with our friends at Pop Culture are giving ten (10) lucky people the chance to win one of 10 double passes to the new Australian film Prime Mover in cinemas from the 12th November 2009.

From Australian writer/director David Caesar (Mullet, Dirty Deeds) comes PRIME MOVER, a diesel charged romance about ambition, pressure, responsibility and the love shared by a man, a woman and his truck.

Starring rising talents Michael Dorman (Suburban Mayhem, Daybreakers, Acolytes) and Award winning actress Emily Barclay (In My Fathers Den, Suburban Mayhem), Prime Mover is a bitter sweet love story with action, some singing and a little bit of dance.

Featuring an impressive ensemble cast including Ben Mendelsohn, William McInnes, Anthony Hayes, Andrew S. Gilbert, Gyton Grantley, Lynette Curran and Ani Finsterer.

Please email your name, postal address and where you heard about the competition to info {at} twoflatwhites(.)com for your chance to win!

Competition closes Sunday, 8th November 2009.

At a star studded event at Sydney’s Pavilion restaurant, internationally acclaimed actor David Wenham, Director Jeremy Sims and Packed to the Rafters star Jessica McNamee joined this year’s awards host Eddie Perfect to announce the nominees for the 2009 Inside Film Awards.

Samson & Delilah led the pack with nominations in eight categories, closely followed by Balibo with nominations in seven categories and Mary & Max with nominations in four categories. These nominations came in a year of huge competition with 191,433 ratings being recorded, more than three times the number recorded last year.

It was a great year for the indigenous film community with audiences embracing both indigenous culture and stars. Along with Samson & Delilah’s success, the short film category was also dominated by indigenous talent. The nominees in this category are the Deborah Mailman directed Ralph, Jacob produced by Darren Dale and Aunty Maggie and the Womba Wakgun directed by Leah Purcell.

Back in Sydney to begin a second decade in 2009 the Inside Film Awards celebrate and champion Australian film and creative talent as decided by the general public. This year’s Inside Film Awards are on Wednesday 18th November at Sydney’s Luna Park.

For tickets and to check out all the nominees, you should click here.

Two Flat Whites have had the pleasure in interviewing some wonderful Australian film identities which include Allanah Zitserman, Warwick Thornton, Adam Elliot, Clare Bowen, Dan Castle and Tony Mason. Simply click on the ‘previous interviews’ tab on Two Flat Whites.

Our competition for the Looking For Eric movie tickets giveaway has now closed. Thank you to everyone that entered we had an overwhelming response. The winners are listed below and your prizes will be sent this week. Thanks again to Icon Films for your generous support!

S. Clifton – Main Beach, QLD
A.Marsh – Bellevue Hill, NSW
E. Bakkalis – Dingley Village, VIC
E. Crocker – Gunn, NT
C.Amor – Wollongbar, NSW
M.Lubcke – Pooraka, SA
S. Beneke – Bathurst, NSW
M. Gatton – Fremantle, WA
J. Doolan – Geelong, VIC
D. Smithson – Grafton, NSW

An exciting new opportunity exists for dynamic, passionate and creative filmmakers and videographers to showcase their talents to a massive Australian audience and maybe snare themselves a once-in-a-lifetime prize.

All you need to do is put together a short, compelling video (2 minutes approx.) that dynamically illustrates who you are, where you come from and what sets you apart. Show us why we should choose you to embark on the filmmaking adventure of a lifetime by utilising your fresh, unique thinking and shooting skills.

We’re looking for entertaining, original yet accessible stories … exactly how these are presented is entirely up to you! If you’re successful, then the world could be your oyster!

We are looking for individuals or teams of two who are the full production package. We’d prefer you write, star, shoot, edit and deliver your vision without any other person assisting you. Your films can feature performances or interviews from third parties if this is a style you choose to explore.

What are you waiting for – grab your camera, get thinking and GO! Applications must arrive no later than 25th September 2009.