Australia to be in the spotlight at MIPCOM 2010 in Cannes – Gregor Jordan to deliver opening keynote featuring global launch of ‘Smashcut’

Award winning Australian film director (Ned Kelly) and screenwriter, Gregor Jordan, will open MIPCOM’s Spotlight on Australia with a keynote address on Tuesday 5 October. The keynote will feature the global launch of transmedia project Smashcut, co-produced by Gregor Jordan and transmedia specialists, The Project Factory.

“Smashcut.com is a brand new platform for marketing and distributing a wide variety of content in a completely unique way,” says Jordan. “It’s an interactive website where users get to create their own edits of raw footage from music videos, live concerts, short dramas, even TV commercials. Smashcut gives its registered users free access to slickly produced raw footage of well known bands and actors and allows them to create their own cuts using our totally new streaming video editing tool. They save their cuts to the site and then anyone can watch and rate all the different versions. It’s like YouTube but with an interactive element that takes it to a whole new level.”

Interviewed by the founder of The Project Factory, and co-producer ofSmashcut, Guy Gadney, Jordan will kick-off the Spotlight on Australia,a full day of Australian-focused creativity and innovation, matchmakingevents and celebrations, featuring leaders from Australia’sbroadcasting and cross media sectors.

“I’m proud to see the work of Australia’s broadcasting and productionsectors honoured on the international stage at the world’s pivotalentertainment content market MIPCOM,” says Virginia Judge, NSWGovernment Minister for Fair Trading and the Arts. “The significantpresence of Australia’s creative community and impressive contentline-up is testament to the innovation of the Australian productionsector. The winning formula of production offsets, State bodyinvestment and Screen Australia support has allowed Australia to be atthe forefront of broadcast and digital content. We look forward tosharing our industry with the international screen community at thiscomprehensive broadcasting market.”

Marcus Gillezeau, Producer/Director, Firelight Productions, will chaira series of case studies on cross-platform content and alternativerevenue streams. Speakers will include Mike Conway, Managing Director,The Wiggles, Ross Crowley, Director of Programming, Foxtel, JarodGreen, Creator of “Beached Whale” and Director of “Radical Love”,Nathan Mayfield, CEO, Hoodlum and Rory Callaghan, Managing Director,Southern Star Entertainment.

FremantleMedia Australia’s CEO, Ian Hogg, will then talk about whatmakes global powerhouse formats such as the “X Factor” resonate, whileIPTV innovators Andrew Lambert, General Manager Content Acquisition& Strategic Partnerships, Telstra and Lauren McLaughlin, Directorof Content & Interactive Partnerships, FetchTV, will have a look atthe innovative ways in which traditional media and telco players areadapting to shifts in content and carriage.

Other highlights of the Australian focus at MIPCOM include the launchby Tourism Australia of a new broadcasting initiative and the officiallaunch of Australia’s new international co-production guidelines byScreen Australia, the Federal Government screen agency providingsupport to Australian film, television, documentary and digital mediamakers. Screen Australia’s presence at MIPCOM is enhanced this yearwith the attendance of their Executive Director of Strategy andOperations, Fiona Cameron.

Australia will also be celebrating the 20th anniversary of childrenentertainers’ programme “The Wiggles” and Melbourne’s VisualEntertainment Group’s 21st anniversary at MIPCOM this year.  

Australian networking events on Tuesday 5 October include an “AustraliaLunch” (CBeach, Cannes), followed by a workshop and matchmaking eventthat will allow participants to meet key players of the Australianindustry. In addition, this year’s “MIPCOM Producers’ Cocktail,”sponsored by Screen Australia, Circe Films, Iliad and Chef’s Ink, willtake place with the presence of Australian chefs and wines on Tuesdayevening (Vega Luna Beach Restaurant).

Over 250 Australian industry professionals are set to attend MIPCOM.This year, the Australian delegation includes companies such as 9, 10,7, SBS, ABC, Foxtel, ACTF, Southern Star Entertainment and Beyond. Keyscreen agencies such as Film Victoria, ScreenWest and Screen NSW arealso in attendance and taking part in the matchmaking sessions.

A 48 page Australian Supplement will be published Tuesday 5 October in the MIPCOM Daily News.