Writers and producers have been urged to take part in a project designed to light up the region’s screen industry.
The Sunny Coast Showdown, presented by Bendigo Bank Community Bank, has launched for 2024. It is a not-for-profit talent incubator that provides funding, support and mentoring to produce film and television ideas.
It is open to greater Sunshine Coast residents or teams with at least one local resident. Cast, crew, volunteers and sponsors are also wanted.
Showdown co-founder and former Powderfinger drummer Jon Coghill said people could enter a short film idea, documentary idea, reality TV show idea or First Nations idea through templates on the Showdown website.
“If you have something you think will make an awesome film, doco or TV show, even if you’ve never written before, then check out the Sunny Coast Showdown,” he said.
“You never know, your idea might be something that blows minds.
“If you do win, you’ll have the opportunity to work with local cast and crew, with your project showcased at the Sunny Coast Showdown Showcase festival (at The MET City Centre) in June and then seen by the rest of the world.”
Entries will be accepted from January 15 to February 12, with six winners to be announced on February 19.
Sunny Coast Showdown 2023 projects have won more than 40 laurels and awards from domestic and international film festivals.
Showdown’s First Nation documentary Skate or Cry was made by a majority Indigenous crew and has won major awards at the LA Documentary Film Festival and the Los Angeles Film Awards.
Bin Day, a zombie apocalypse comedy written and directed by Beerwah’s Ryan Neil Butler, took out the Fun Is Good Bill Murray Comedic Shorts Award at the 2023 Twin Cities Film Festival in Minnesota.
Writer/director Adam Szudrich said winning a category at Showdown 2023 changed his life.
“Hearing the roar from a sold-out audience as the credits rolled filled me with enormous pride of what our cast, crew and producers achieved,” he said.
“Standing on the stage, holding the world’s coolest trophy, was a truly special moment.”
Writer Stephen Walker acted in his Showdown 2023-winning screenplay The Stripper Trade Off and has encouraged people to enter this year’s event
“There’s really nothing like (the Sunny Coast Showdown) anywhere,” he said.
“It is simply the most exciting, career-propelling opportunity for Sunny Coast writers and creatives.
“Whether you want to make people laugh or cry, tell your story. Start writing.”
Showdown co-founder and former US Survivor producer Dan Munday said one of the event’s main aims was to train local up-and-coming crew for larger productions.
“To have a viable film business on the Coast we need two things: a legit studio complex and a legit crew,” he said.
“Showdown is a great vehicle for upskilling crew in all film departments at all levels.”
Recent TAFE graduate Charis Gibson said Showdown was an incredible way to start her career in the film industry.
“It gave me a chance to work with seasoned professionals who taught me things that can only be learnt on set,” she said.
“I not only developed my skills, but I also built connections with people who have made entering the industry more approachable.
“To anyone looking to enter or volunteer for 2024, just do it. Especially if you’re just starting out, this is a fantastic opportunity to get your foot in the door, join a community of amazing people and have tons of fun.”
Filmmaker and Skate or Cry co-director Wes Greene also endorsed Showdown and said it had “established what I consider the best professional film/TV development opportunity in the country”.
Mr Coghill said Showdown 2024 would not happen without the help it received from Bendigo Bank Community Bank (Marcoola, Cooroy, Tewantin, Noosa), Screen Queensland, Noosa Council and the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective.
“Having the endorsement of these amazing sponsors is invaluable,” he said.
“They believe in the potential for building a screen industry on the Sunshine Coast and we are eternally grateful for their support and extremely generous funding.”
Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said the organisation was proud to continue its partnership with the Sunny Coast Showdown, fostering fresh prospects for local filmmakers and crew to build skills and showcase their talent.
“The Showdown is evolving into a stage for award-winning screen stories, particularly amplifying the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories,” she said.
“We are eager to see what accomplishments the third Showdown achieves in 2024 and look forward to the vibrant contributions from the Sunshine Coast’s energetic community of film and television professionals, illuminating the screen with their potential.”
Showdown 2024 categories: Scripted (short film); Unscripted (documentary or reality TV show); First Nations (short film, documentary or reality TV show)
Showdown schedule: Entries: January 15 to February 11; Winners announced: February 19; Production: February 19 to June 1; Sunny Coast Showdown Showcase: June 21 to 22.
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