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Australian films take a bite of Venice

One Australian feature film and two shorts have been invited to screen at the 69th Venice International Film Festival (La Biennale di Venezia), the oldest and one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.

Bait 3D, directed by Kimble Rendall, will have its world premiere in the water-surrounded city. It tells the story of hungry great white sharks trapped in a flooded underground supermarket with the survivors of a freak tsunami that has hit their town. The film will screen Out of Competition.

Marla, from director Nick King, and I’m the One, from Paola Morabito, will both screen in the Orizzonti short film competition. In addition to the Lido 500-seat cinema screenings of these s horts, Venice is this year also offering simultaneous one-time-only live streaming for each film to further increase promotion of the films and emerging filmmakers.

In another first for the festival this year, it will host the inaugural Venice Film Market, offering business opportunities for film industry professionals. The Industry Office at the market will be providing a number of services including a Digital Video Library, meeting and business facilities, and promotion and publicity opportunities.

The Venice International Film festival will run from 29 August until 8 September 2012, helmed by new artistic director, Alberto Barbera. 

OUT OF COMPETITION

Bait 3D
(93 mins)
Australia/Singapore co-production
Production Company Arclight Films, Pictures in Paradise, Story Bridge Films, Black Magic Films
Director Kimble Rendall
Writers Russell Mulcahy, John Kim
Producers Todd Fellman, Gary Hamilton, Peter Barber
International Sales Arclight
Australian Distributor Paramount
Cast Xavier Samuel, Julian McMahon, Sharni Vinson, Alex Russell, Lincoln Lewis, Phoebe Tonkin
Synopsis In a sleepy beach community, shoppers at an underground supermarket are terrorised by a crazed bandit. Then a monstrous freak tsunami swallows the town. Now the survivors must overcome a threat far more deadly and bloodthirsty – hungry great white sharks.

ORIZZONTI SHORT FILMS

I'm the One
(14 mins)
Director Paola Morabito
Producer Tara Riddell
Synopsis When 16-year-old Wofle rejects his father’s invitation for a boy’s night out, he is left to confront his feelings for his dad’s girlfriend.

Marla
(15.5 mins)
Director Nick King
Producer Sophie Wiesner
Synopsis Marla might be the strangest love story you’ve seen. It’s intimate, intense and surprising; romantic but dark. A story of nascent love that moves in an unexpected direction.