MIFF 68 ½ celebrates giving film buffs ‘The Best Seat In The House’ in latest campaign with Hannah Gadsby via Guilty and Thought Police
It almost didn’t happen. This year’s Melbourne International Film Festival faced calling the event off or completely reinventing itself online. Thankfully it chose the latter. To continue to exist without the cozy theatres that usually house the wonderful collection world’s best cinema, it pivoted into the streaming space. A move big enough for one to think about suspending their Netflix accounts for the month of August. But how would it keep the flair and charm that is the MIFF experience?
Melbourne International Film Festival teamed up with Guilty director Michael J Lutman and Thought Police writer/creative director Ben Keenan to highlight one of the biggest silver linings in watching a film at home, you’re virtually guaranteed #BestSeatInTheHouse.
Says Jason Byrne, executive producer, Guilty: “With limited time, limited resources this spot was created just as Melbourne transitioned from stage three to stage four lockdowns. The new protocols and constraints became part of the collaborative creative process, something we’ve been quick to embrace. What’s more, it echoes the resourcefulness of the wonderful MIFF team to bring us all the festival this year.”
Says Ben Keenan, writer/creative director, Thought Police: “We had to make something just as Melbourne was switching from stage 3 restrictions to stage 4. But it helps when you have one of the country’s most celebrated comedians as an ambassador, and creative friends who have aesthetically pleasing lounge chairs, we wrote this spot to what what we had on hand.”
Says director Michael Lutman: “Hannah was the coolest person to work with, literally, I checked her temperature. She really helped us highlight how MIFF helps bring us levity, different perspectives, and a chance to go somewhere magical for a bit. And the truth is, films are funnier, sadder and more exciting in cinema and it’s something we can’t wait to get back to. But at least this idea suspends our disbelief a little and celebrates the comforts of watching MIFF from home this year.”
The MIFF 68 ⅓ Film Festival is Streaming from August 6 to 23 at www.miff.com.au.
Client – Melbourne International Film Festival
Artistic Director – Al Cossar
General Manager – Victoria Pope
Head of Marketing & Communication – Claire La Greca
Writer/Creative Director – Ben Keenan, Thought Police
Production Company – Guilty
Director – Michael J. Lutman
Producers – Jason Byrne & Tori Schaw
Producer/Production Manager – Jordan Pert
Director of Photography – Matthew Jenkins
Production Designer – James Clark
Post-Production Facility – Manimal
Editor – Emily Robb
Post-Producer – Hannah Byrnand
Colourist – Martin Greer
Sound: Gusto Studios
Sound Engineer: Colin Simkins
Gusto Studios Producer/Manager: Brigid Gilles-Webb
