Awards

1. NULLARBOR WINS BEST ANIMATION AT THE SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL
Press Release from The Lampshade Collective

Short animated film "Nullarbor" by Melbourne's The Lampshade Collective
received the Yoram Gross Animation Award at the Sydney Film Festival
over the weekend. The award, which carries a $4,000 prize is recognized
by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and makes the film
Academy accredited. Last year's winner of the same prize "The Lost
Thing" by Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann, subsequently won the Academy
Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Nullarbor had its International premiere as part of the opening night
program at the Stuttgart Trickfilm International Festival of Animation
in Germany and recently screened as the only Australian short film in
official competition at the Annecy International Festival of Animation
in France. The short road movie, made with assistance from Film Victoria
and Screen Australia will also have its UK premiere at the Edinburgh
International Film Festival and US premiere at Palm Springs
International Shortfest this week before screening back home at both the
Melbourne International Film Festival and Revelation Perth International
Film Festivals.

The film's directors Alister Lockhart and Patrick Sarell are over the
moon that audiences are responding so well to the film. "We wanted to
make an animated film about Australian people that looks at the
foolishness and charm of our culture and our unique style of
miscommunication" says Sarell. Lockhart ads "It's a contemporary
adaptation of the old tortoise and hare story, set across Australia's
Nullarbor Plain."

Producer Katrina Mathers said the team couldn't be happier with the
attention the film is receiving after its short run of screenings so
far. "We've managed to pick up some sales and distribution after
screening at Annecy, so to receive an award as well is really amazing."

"It's been a long ride" they all say with a laugh.

The Lampshade Collective was formed in 2007 by Patrick Sarell, Katrina
Mathers and Daryl Munton, later joined by Merrin Jensen to produce
original entertaining, narrative CG animation. They have several new
projects in development.

For more information, go to: www.nullarborshortfilm.com.