CommBank spotlights eight Australian of the Year finalists with series of short films via Imagination

‘The Can Stories – Short Films on Great Australians’ is a series of short, biographical films on eight of the 2013 Australian of the Year Awards finalists created by some of Australia’s best short filmmakers as part of CommBank’s major sponsorship of the Australian of the Year

Awards.

People will be able to view the films through the CommBank Facebook page from Tuesday 15 January and can vote on their favourite film to win a trip to the Cannes Film Festival.

VIEW THE FILMS VIA FACEBOOK

Each year, the achievements and contributions of eminent Australians are celebrated through the Australian of the Year Awards. The nominees inspire people through their achievements and challenge people to make their own contribution to creating a better Australia.

Each and every nominee has a special story to tell. To tell their stories, the Bank has commissioned a group of Australian filmmakers to each create a short film on these finalists. The films will be screened through an online hub, housed within CommBank’s Facebook page. From Tuesday 15 January until Thursday 31 January, Australians will be able to view each of the films before voting for their favourite. By voting and sharing, the viewer then goes in the draw to win a VIP trip to the Cannes Film Festival.

Monique Macleod , General Manager, Brand & Sponsorships, Commonwealth Bank, explains the rationale behind the campaign.

Says Macleod: “We are fiercely proud of our longstanding sponsorship of the Australian of the Year Awards. The Awards are the most highly regarded and nationally recognised acknowledgement of the incredible achievements of all Australians, from the high profile to the local heroes. Each and every finalist has an inspirational CAN story to share and, this year, the Bank wanted to provide a unique platform that could enable them share that story in a compelling way and on a large scale. I challenge anyone who watches these eight short films not to be inspired by what they see.”

All films will be screened on Channel 10 and ONE HD on Australia Day (Saturday 26 January) and Foxtel’s BIO channel throughout the last week of January. The winning filmmaker, as voted by the Australian public, will also win a cash prize from CommBank.

The Eight Australian of the Year Finalists and their Films (pictured in order):

Francis Owusu (ACT finalist for Australia’s Local Hero) was partnered with director and former program manager of the Sundance Film Festival, Larin Sullivan, from inner Sydney. Sullivan’s film tells the previously untold story of Owusu, a humble youth mentor originally from Ghana, who has dedicated his life to enhancing kids’ confidence and life skills through breakdancing.

Ita Buttrose (NSW finalist for Australian of the Year) was partnered with filmmaker, Paola Morabito, from Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Morabito’s film takes a cheeky and candid look at the iconic media personality. Buttrose, as always, is honest and direct as she discusses her life and her work.

Kerry Stokes (WA finalist for Australian of the Year) was partnered with award-winning director, Fiona McGee, from Sydney. McGee catches a glimpse into Stokes’ incredible passion for preserving the history of our nation and his humility in doing so.

Jessica Mauboy (NT finalist for Young Australian of the Year) was partnered with dynamic filmmaker and TropFest finalist,Tony Prescott, from Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. Prescott’s film reveals an emotional and incredibly humble Mauboy and sheds light on the person behind the persona.

Professor John Martin (VIC finalist for Australian of the Year) was partnered with acclaimed young filmmaker Liselle Mei. Mei’s simple yet artistic film explores the Professor’s lifetime devotion to the research of bones, which has seen major advances in the treatment of osteoperosis and bone cancer, as well as his mantra to never stop learning and questioning the world.

Sonya Ryan (SA finalist for Australian of the Year) was partnered with experienced short filmmaker, Andrew Lancaster, from Sydney. Ryan’s story is particularly harrowing and Lancaster’s film delicately peels away the layers to reveal an inspirational figure who is turning personal tragedy into opportunity for future generations.

Laurie Lawrence (QLD finalist for Senior Australian of the Year) was partnered with filmmaker Daniel Marsden from Brisbane. Marsden’s film shows the irrepressible Lawrence in a rather different light from the excitable, motivational coach as someone who is seriously passionate about children’s water safety. The film explores Lawrence’s ultimate goal of zero water deaths for young kids within his lifetime.

Andrew Hughes (TAS finalist for Australian of the Year) was partnered with experienced filmmaker, Leigh Richards, from inner Sydney. Richards’ film traces the passion and enthusiasm the Tasmanian adventure teacher has for life and shows how he inspires kids to have the same exploratory outlook.

Client: Commonwealth Bank

Media: Ikon & Spring