Winners announced for AACTA Pitch: Forever Unexpected presented by MINI

Loani Arman and Kelly Hucker were announced as the winners of AACTA Pitch: Forever Unexpected presented by MINI for their short film concept OUR GREATEST ESCAPE at a special live pitching event last night in Sydney.

Held at QT Sydney, five finalists participated in the live event which saw them pitch their short film concepts – inspired by MINI’s ‘Forever Unexpected’ manifesto – to the judging panel. AACTA congratulates all of the AACTA Pitch: Forever Unexpected finalists who pitched their ideas at last night’s event: LACHIE AND JOHN (Dan Haberfield), SPECIAL DELIVERY (Gemma Knight, Millicent Malcolm, Jasper Garner Gore and Liam French), THE ROCKSTAR (Jacqueline Lim and Daniel Stevenson), and TO THE RESCUE (Jamieson Pearce, Cyna Strachan, Liam Heyen and Alex Serafini).

Loani and Kelly will bring OUR GREATEST ESCAPE to life thanks to MINI’s contribution of up to $15,000 towards their film’s production. The pair will also receive a $5,000 cash prize; a complimentary MINI vehicle for the duration of their shoot; post-production support from Spectrum Films to the value of $2,500; tickets to the 2019 AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel; and invaluable feedback and mentoring opportunities with the judging panel. 

Drawing from Loani’s personal experience in caring for a loved one with dementia, OUR GREATEST ESCAPE sees a young advertising executive getting back to her creative roots when she takes her mum on ‘one last ride’, reminding us all that even though life moves on, there's still magic and fun to be had. Pitching alongside her creative partner and Hot Docs Best Short Documentary award winner Kelly Hucker, the pair are also behind the online documentary MY BODY SAYS, made as a part of Screen Australia and News Digital’s Doco180, which currently has over half a million views online.

Launched last year, AACTA Pitch supports the next generation of Australian screen industry talent, encouraging new ideas and providing the invaluable opportunity for up-and-coming filmmakers to hone their skills by pitching their ideas to industry professionals.

The AACTA Pitch: Forever Unexpected judging panel included:

• AACTA Award-winning actor Damon Herriman (RIOT, SECRET CITY, ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD);
• Award-winning and AACTA Award nominated short film producer Alexandra Blue (WELCOME TO IRON KNOB, SARAH CHONG IS GOING TO KILL HERSELF);
• Two-time AACTA Award nominated writer and producer Victoria Wharfe McIntyre (MIRO, THE TELEGRAPH MAN); and
• AACTA Award-winning and Oscar® nominated director Derin Seale (THE ELEVEN O’CLOCK, STATIC).