Otto Empire’s Stephen Carroll takes out Shots New Director Asia Pacific 2011 award

Otto Empire director Stephen Carroll (top left) took home top honours last night at the SHOTS New Director Awards held at the Blue Hotel on the wharf at Woolloomooloo.

From a group of 15 finalists selected from Australia and New Zealand, Carroll’s work was voted the best by a panel of industry experts around the globe.

The cocktail party kicked off Circus the Festival of Creativity which continues in Sydney throughout the week.

Over 250 key industry figures flew in from across Australia to watch the finalists shortlist on a huge screen at the hotel’s glam Waterbar.

The top prize was voted in by a panel of international cyber judges including Rattling Stick director Daniel Kleinman, president and executive creative director at BETC Euro RSCG Paris Stephane Xiberras, executive creative director at London’s SapientNitro Malcolm Poynton, Wieden + Kennedy London’s Rob Steiner and Crispin Porter Bogusky’s chief creative officer Rob Reilly.

Kleinman described Carroll’s winning music video for Cordrazine in his judge’s notes as a “great film, moody, nicely lit, a simple concept interestingly developed that fits the song. It has a metaphorical meaning and is surprising.”

Says Otto Empire executive producer Jo de Fina: “We are so thrilled for Stephen. He is a true rising talent of the industry. The Otto Empire is proud to encourage and support young and emerging directors, so for Stephen to be recognized so early in his career is testament to his talent.”

Carroll incorporates visually stunning images with dynamic performance. To view his work, go to hellootto.com.au

Unsigned Shannon Alexander (bottom left) won the shots Student New Director AWARD Asia/Pacific with his test spot for Panasonic which he wrote and directed himself.

Interestingly both shots new directors originally hail from Perth.

Among the 15 finalists the following new directors received special commendations from the cyber judges: Kiku Ohe, Paola Morabito, Helen Clemens, Lucinda Shreiber, Penny Vozniak and Mark Tintner.

Shots would like to thank its partner Emma Daines at Fin Design and Effects for making the whole fabulous event possible … also thanks to their very erudite MC Jono Coleman who made the night zip along.

The finalists in no particular order:

1. Stephen Carroll – The Otto Empire (winner)

2. Paola Morabito – Curious Film

3. Helen Clemens – Plaza Films

4. Kiku Ohe – Exit Films

5. Lucinda Schreiber – Photoplay Films

6. Mark Tintner – Birthmarque

7. Ash Bolland  – Curious Film

8. Josh Logue  – The Feds

9. Abe Forsythe – Brilliant Films

10. Dan Reisinger – Window

11. Mark & Louis – The Sweet Shop

12. Edwin McGill – FG Entertainment

13. Leo Woodhead – Thick As Thieves

14. Special Problems – Special Problems

15. Penny Vozniak