In retrospect, 2006 would be remembered as another huge year for NAFA, where we consolidated on established meetings and events, introduced new initiatives, and ended the year on a high note.
Since 2003 our successful Choc Tops meetings remain our core activity. Attendances have averaged around 50 per meeting, with the highlight being our November event, drawing in 80 to 90. We must acknowledge the great guest speakers we invited who gave their time freely and imparted their wonderful insights. Their topics covered the eclectic interests of the NAFA group: writing, acting, and filmmaking with the added spice of a Tech Ed workshop (May) and a Great Debate (July).
Despite the competition from other film festivals and webstreaming technology, our two film festivals remain successful events. At Show-Fest (April) and Action-Fest (August) we attracted the type of films and filmmakers prepared to have their films scrutinised by the audience. Their openness to compare notes and acknowledgement of their mistakes have entertained and inspired all.
Some films were premieres that would travel on to win awards at international festivals, the most notable being Checkpoint (dir. Ben Phelps). Also at this year’s Action-Fest we saw submissions and finalists from interstate with the major award winners being filmmakers from Queensland and Victoria.
This year’s new initiatives:
- Recognising the acute need for good scripts, monthly screenwriting workshops for Members was started,
- A new logo was designed (April) along with a new slogan: “Think NAFA, Take ACTION!”. This was branded onto t-shirts, carry bags, Membership cards, stationery, and a giant stand-up poster,
- The Web site was completely revamped to coincide with the new logo. The most important addition was the News section. Evidenced by the increasing number of hits, this has proved to be an easy way to keep updated on NAFA’s many activities.
On the film production side, NAFA Productions was involved in nine short films this year, with six of them currently in various stages of post-production at the time of this report.
So far our most successful short film is the comedy Gary’s Bad Day. It has won awards at two different festivals and has been a finalist in three others, including ones interstate. Last year, NAFA also helped in the making of the medical thriller feature Gene-X, which had its cast and crew premiere in May this year before traveling to the Cannes Market.
Raising the bar with each film we make, NAFA Productions will be ready to take on bigger projects next year, including a feature film.
— Tony Chu