Grassroots creativity in focus

INTERNATIONAL and local filmmakers packed into Fairfield’s School of Arts earlier this month for local filmmaker Maria Tran’s Urban Action Film Forum.

More than 100 people listened as Ms Tran and special guests discussed a range of topics, from future directions for Australia’s action film industry to the potential of the internet to help local filmmakers produce their own creative projects.

Tran also updated the audience on her multimedia project, Quest for Jackie Chan!.

“I am happy that we had the chance to make it happen out here. Lots of young kids said this was such a great and fun project that is relevant to them,” Tran said.

Guests included Hong Kong action film director Antony Szeto, the ABC’s Craig Anderson, and Chris Pang from the upcoming film Tomorrow When the World Began.

Tran said Szeto was very impressed by the ambitious grassroots approach of Fairfield’s creative community, particularly local filmmaker Ali Kadhim.

The director even offered to mentor the 23-year old and his 9Lives crew, who create local no-budget action films of their own martial arts talent.

“He gave us some advice. He’s a very down-to-earth guy, I look forward to working with him in the future,” Kadhim said.

“There’s a lot of talent that no one really knows about, and events like this really shine a light on people out here.”

Fairfield Mayor Nick Lalich, who welcomed the event, even managed to attract the attention of visiting filmmakers who remarked that the mayor’s dapper suit made him very “castable” for their films.

“I’ve never heard that said about me before, it’s very flattering and I’m humbled to think the producers at the Urban Action Film Forum thought I had the qualities of an actor. I’m sure it was said light-heartedly,” Cr Lalich said.

The major said he hoped initiatives like Tran’s Quest for Jackie Chan! inspired other young people to achieve their goals.

“It’s important we encourage young local artists to express themselves through art,” he said.

“I’m sure twenty years ago Maria never thought that one day she would win a Logie award, I only hope she remembers us when she accepts her Oscar.”

Tran embarks on an Australia-wide tour to promote Quest for Jackie Chan! in September.