Central Coast Business Review - covering news from the business centres of Gosford, Erina, Tuggerah, Wyong and surrounding suburbs. 

October 2008 Cover Story

Despite drizzling rain, New York film fans braved the weather to see eight films – from around the world – screen against the dramatic riverside backdrop of the Statue of Liberty. Central Coast film makers Jason van Genderen (Director), Shane Emmett (Producer) and John Roy (Composer) became the toast of the Big Apple in late September with their short film, ‘Mankind is no Island’, a film which challenges our understanding of homeless communities.

Their prize win includes $US20,000 cash, return flights to New York plus an exclusive ‘first look’ picture deal with a major New York film production house. “If history is anything to go by, the opportunities after winning Tropfest go well beyond the festival itself – past winners have gained significant leverage into feature films and television series… we certainly don’t intend to waste this opportunity” said Shane Emmett, the film’s Producer.

The film, largely a visual narrative utilising found words from street signs of New York and Sydney, not only became the first ever ‘mobile phone’ movie to make it into the finals of Tropfest, it was also the first film to ever win both ‘People’s Choice’ and the coveted ‘Best Film’ awards. “We never imagined winning both awards. We were simply stunned at the reaction to our little film,” commented the film’s Director, Jason van Genderen, “So many people were moved by the film’s music, scored by local composer John Roy.”

“We had audience members coming up to us afterwards actually thanking us for making such an emotive and heartfelt film it was just extraordinary,” he said. The win in New York was the final chapter in a journey that started with the trio’s successful short film entry on Gosford’s CBD – ‘My Town is Broken’ which scooped a major prize at this year’s Sydney Film Festival. That prize was attending the Toronto International Film Festival where they found themselves among eight finalists from around the globe.

To view ‘Mankind is no Island’ go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrDxe9gK8Gk

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