The Kolperi Story

Presented by Griffith University

Part of AACTA’s Screen Careers Expo

Sunday 11 February

3pm AEST

Kolperi Outback Filmmaking is a film education and development program committed to increasing the opportunities of emerging filmmakers in the Outback, delivered by Vision Outback Film Festival and Griffith Film School in partnership with Winton Shire Council and Koa Elders. Delve into the heart of this innovative initiative that champions storytelling amidst the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Outback. Explore how this initiative provides a platform for fostering creativity and nurturing emerging talent in the world of filmmaking and how to get involved.

Featuring

Mark Melrose

Mark Melrose is Head of Studios and Physical Production at Screen Queensland has over 25 years’ experience in entertainment and sports operations management, most recently as Festival Director of Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival in The Hollywood of the Outback, Winton (Outback Queensland), where he grew attendance by 311% over his nine years and implemented education pathways in partnership with Griffith Film School while leading the major event. Mark’s other executive positions have included Operations Manager for the 2021 Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) and 15 years at Queensland Rugby where he was Head of Operations for eight years following other senior roles. As a long-time Director of his firm MDM Consulting Group, some of Mark’s high-profile clients were major radio and television network Southern Cross Austero, Queensland Cricket and community broadcaster Briz 31. Mark oversees both Screen Queensland Studios at Brisbane and Cairns and is keen have the studios support a local screen ecosystem.

Alessandria Riding

Alessandria Riding is a Production Manager working with Brisbane’s leading production company Taxi Films. With five-plus years of experience in the industry across producing and production management, her work focuses primarily on commercial and brand content, from social to cinema to television.

Graduating from Griffith Film School, she has been involved in Kolperi since its early inception, first as a student in 2017, before coming on board as staff in 2019. In addition to Kolperi projects, Alessandria assists in Griffith Film School abroad bootcamps, including Vanuatu and India.

Ken Kimura

Ken Kimura is a cinematographer and director. Raised in Australia from Japanese and Chinese descent. He developed a love of movies and eclectic tastes early on. He was raised on Jackie Chan beat-em-ups, Hayao Miyazaki animations and Australia cult classics like The Castle and Mad Max (1979).

While studying at film school, Ken directed and edited the short film Warranty that screened at the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival as part of the Kolperi Outback Filmmaking program. An invaluable experience where he won the Grand Jury Prize (Qantas Short Film Competition). This would lay the foundation for his path into filmmaking. He'd go on to work as a documentary filmmaker in Sydney collaborating with the likes of Google, LinkedIn and MYOB.

Ken's sophomore short film Assisted Living debuted mid 2023. The production was awarded Best Film at Short+Sweet Illawarra Film Festival, Best Drama Film at the New York International Film Awards and was a finalist at the Australian Independent Film Festival. Ken was an Executive Producer on Head Count starring Ryan Kwanten (True Blood) via Shout Factory released in the US late 2023. His latest short film The Other Guy is premiering at Flickerfest this year. As cinematographer, Ken has just completed principal photography on his first full length feature film Dunny Derby: The Legend of the Underbogs Story with Continuance Pictures. Set to release early 2025 starring Shuang Wu (Five Blind Dates) and Alan Fletcher (Neighbours).

Based in Brisbane, Ken works for one of the leading TVC and content agencies in the Oceania Region, Taxi Film Production. As a director/DOP, he has worked with brands including Chevrolet, Macca's and Nike. With a dynamic and engaging style, Ken brings a vitality and technical proficiency to all the work he creates balanced with a healthy dose of unfiltered emotion and genuine storytelling.

Hamish Williams

G’day, I’m Hamish. I’m from a small grazing property in Morven QLD. I now find myself working in the Film industry on the Gold Coast in the Gripping department. Grips are responsible for creative camera movement (think cranes or dollys on track) amongst other things.

My involvement in Kolperi began in 2019 with the Outback Film intensive in Winton QLD. I enjoyed seeing the remote landscape through the lens, as well as the unique challenges and rewards that rural film making presents. Personally, I found to be a meshing of my rural upbringing and passion for filmmaking.

From there I have returned as a staff member and for productions including Rapscallion (2022), The Aussie (2020) and Flat Hill (2020).

I’m currently working on ABC’s production of Troppo season 2 filming here on the Gold Coast.

Ash Burgess

Ashley Burgess is the Director of Kolperi Outback Filmmaking and Head of Special Projects and at the Griffith Film School. In 2014 Ashley took a small group of Griffith Film School students to Winton to be involved in the Vision Splendid Outback Film Festival. This partnership, in conjunction with the Festival, Winton Shire Council and Koa-Guwa Elders, has grown over the last 10 years, creating Kolperi Outback Filmmaking. Kolperi’s programs have been inspired by Ashley’s career working abroad in Vanuatu, Thailand and Burma, creating films centred on collaboration and authentic storytelling.

Moderator: Associate Professor Peter Hegedus

Peter Hegedus’ filmmaking career spans over 25 years. His work is characterized by a commitment to social justice be they documentary or drama. Peter is also the Deputy Director for Research & Engagement at the Griffith Film School which is the largest film School of its kind in Australia.

Peter’s work has been shown at major Film Festivals around the world including one of his documentaries Inheritance a Fisherman's Story being shortlisted for the Academy Awards and his latest 360 immersive story Sorella’s Story having been selected for competition at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival. His critically acclaimed films have also won numerous awards and been broadcast in many countries.