By Lauren Ferrone
South African-born filmmaker, Stephen de Villiers, describes South Australia as the “smaller pond with bigger fish”.
Stephen (pictured in headline image) came to South Australia five years ago after “pounding the pavement trying to get a gig” in Sydney.
“When a South Australian production company put out a call for a job, I decided nothing was happening for me in Sydney and thought it would be smarter to move to get my career off the ground,” Stephen says.
“Now I’m a proud South Australian and, to be honest, I was told by a friend ‘what’s going to take 10 years to develop your career in Sydney, it’ll take you only about five years in South Australia’,” he adds.
Since arriving in South Australia, Stephen has set up his own film production company, Beyond Content
It’s no surprise his career seems to be taking flight – quite literally.
In February, Stephen won a return ticket from Adelaide to New York City after winning the Fleurieu Film Festival’s ‘Best Film/Director’ award for his film ‘Super Sounds’ which is a childhood tale about friendship and the gift of acceptance.
Stephen shooting his winning Fleurieu Film Festival film ‘Super Sounds’ on Sellicks Beach
“I had recently shot a film on the Fleurieu in 2014 and finished filming in early 2015. Coincidentally, I had shot it on Sellicks Beach and, when entries opened for the festival, within two hours I submitted it,” he says.
The Fleurieu Film Festival is the brainchild of Alison Alcock who woke up one morning early last year with a spontaneous thought to resign from her job to embark on a dream involving film, food, fun and – of course – the Fleurieu.
After the inaugural Fleurieu Film Festival wrapped up in February, Alison is already preparing for the second instalment, which officially launches next Wednesday (October 19).
“Last year the festival had many submissions from across Australia. The 2017 festival has already been inundated with submissions, nationally and some in international entries which is encouraging for the festival’s growing profile,” Alison says.
The Fleurieu Film Festival Alison Alcock is already preparing for the festival’s second instalment
Stephen hopes to again submit a new film for the 2017 Fleurieu Film Festival.
“I really do love the festival and it’s so good to have a creative challenge like this. So, I am still hoping to get a submission in before I head to New York early next year,” he says.
Taking out the Fleurieu Film Festival’s top prize and a return trip to New York, there’s no doubt the short film festival has opened promising opportunities for Stephen.
“One of the judges at the Fleurieu Film Festival said to give him a call before I go because he wants to line up a couple of meetings for me while I’ve over there, so I’ll be trying to optimise my career opportunities as much as possible,” he says.
Stephen has set up his own film production company Beyond Content where he shoots video content for a number of South Australian companies, including Thomas Foods International, University of Adelaide, TAFE SA, Study Adelaide, just to name a few. He has also focused his lens on some iconic international brands like Nikon and Hyundai.
Following success from this year’s Fleurieu Film Festival, the top 10 films for 2017 will screen at Serafino Winery on Saturday, February 11.
The 2017 Fleurieu Film Festival prize pool totals more than $15,000, with the winner of Best Film/Director winning two return tickets to Los Angeles, and a Gold Pass to the Adelaide Film Festival.
Entries are now open for filmmakers to submit their ‘water’ themed films, which can be covered by any mention or image of water within the film. Entries close December 1, 2016.
The Fleurieu Film Festival 2017 officially launches at McLaren Flat’s new venue The General Wine Bar & Kitchen next Wednesday (October 19, 2016), from 1pm to 3pm.