Supporting local talent

Anton Blajer

Born and raised in Skopje, Anton Blajer is a Masters Graduate of the prestigious Victorian College of the Arts - School of Film & Television in Melbourne. He has been writing & directing low budget films for over ten years. His short films have screened in film festivals across the world from Auckland to Cologne. The Shomer (2006) was awarded the 2006 VCA Edwin Rado Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement in Directing, and won Best Documentary at the 2009 Campfire Film Festival. His work on God’s Fools (2010) earned him the award for Best Achievement in Directing at the 2010 VCA Premiere Screening Awards, with the film going on to win the Grand Prix CinéRail at the Cinérail Festival in Paris.

In 2007, Always Leaving – a self reflective film on his childhood journey from his homeland to Australia, was the first Australian made film to screen at the Macedonian Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. Anton has also worked in various roles on over 25 films, including the award winning The Butcher’s Wife (2006, Directed by Kylie Plunkett) and AFI Nominated documentary series Liberal Rule - The Politics that changed Australia (2009, Directed by Nick Torrens).

MFF Official selection

Film: God’s Fools
Year: 2010 R (18+) Australia
Genre: Drama (short)
Duration: 15min
Language: English

Showing:
9:00pm Friday, 21 October, Hoyts, Melbourne Central
7:00pm Sunday, 6 November, Newcastle Reading Cinemas
4:00pm Sunday, 20 November, Sydney EQ, Cinema 8

* Note: Anton will be joining us for the screening of God's Fools in Melbourne at 9:00pm Friday, 21 October, Hoyts, Melbourne Central

Goran Stolevski

Goran Stolevski has completed a Masters in Film and Television at the Victorian College of the Arts. He is 26 years of age and has written and directed 19 short films, the majority of which have screened at film festivals in Australia and around the world, and several of which have won awards. His graduating production “Blood”, starring Jonny Pasvolsky, was named Best Masters Narrative Production at the 2008 VCA Premiere Awards. His film “Picture of a Good Woman” was preselected for the 2008 Cannes International Film Festival and was warmly received by audiences at the following year’s Adelaide International Film Festival. Goran is currently developing a feature film, "Give", as well as a half-hour drama series, "Interpreters".

MFF Official selection

Film: Picture of a Good Woman
Year: 2007 R (18+) Australia
Genre: Drama (short)
Duration: 5 min
Language: Macedonian / English

Showing:
9:00pm Friday, 21 October, Hoyts, Melbourne Central

* Note: Goran will be joining us for the screening of Picture of a Good Woman in Melbourne at 9:00pm Friday, 21 October, Hoyts, Melbourne Central

Ben Kumanovski

Ben has always had a passion for visual storytelling. He graduated from the JMC Academy in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communications in Digital Television Production and in 2007 he began Global Pictures; a home based business offering video production services to the corporate sector.

In 2008 Global Pictures moved to its current Sydney studio location where the business was able to grow in both staff and client base. In 2009 Global Pictures expanded its services to include web design and development and due to Ben’s ongoing passion for filmmaking, in 2010 Global Pictures decided to produce 2-4 short films each year, attracting attention from a range of professional actors and management agencies.

Ben’s aim for the future is to continue the growth and development of Global Pictures and focus on film production

MFF Official selection

Film: Storm in a Teacup
Year: 2010 R (18+) Australia
Genre: Comedy/Drama (short)
Rating: R (18+) Duration: 13min
Language: English

Showing:
7:00pm Sunday, 6 November, Newcastle Reading Cinemas
4:00pm Sunday, 20 November, Sydney EQ

Sasha Uzunov

Australian Independent film maker Sasha Uzunov is a former Australian soldier who served 2 tours of duty in
East Timor, and a civilian war reporter/combat cameraman in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sasha has already produced and directed a documentary about East Timor, called TIMOR TOUR of DUTY,
which was screened at the 2009 New York International Independent Film and Video Festival. The film is
available on DVD and has been picked up by the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the prestigious Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Australia.


MFF Official selection

Film: Brave Love
Year: 2011 R (18+) Australia
Genre: Drama (short)
Duration: 13min
Language: English

Showing:
4:00pm Sunday, 23 October, Hoyts, Northland