Swinburne student Byron bound
In Summary
Not many students can say that a film developed in their first year of university has been selected for screening at an international film festival.
For Swinburne Film and Television Production student Marli Lopez-Hope, she can. Ms Lopez-Hope’s six minute short film Curiosity is one of ten films screening in the Young Australian Filmmakers Showcase, at the 2014 Byron Bay International Film Festival.
Ms Lopez-Hope’s film career has already taken off, and the acceptance of her film into the film festival is another achievement to add to a growing list.
“When I found out that my film had been accepted into the festival I couldn’t quite believe it. I was in a delirious state of smiles and giggles,” Ms Lopez-Hope said.
“I had just landed back in Australia after spending three weeks on an Air New Zealand and National Geographic photography and filmmaking assignment, and to receive the news about Curiosity truly topped off my month.”
Curiosity was developed within Swinburne University’s Bachelor of Film and Television course. Dr Marilyn Tofler, Ms Lopez-Hope’s lecturer for documentary production, said that Marli’s determination for success was evident.
“Her passion for documentary shone from week one of her classes, where she demonstrated that she was a dedicated and hard-working student and filmmaker,” Dr Tofler said.
“It’s a huge honour for her film to be selected for screening at the Byron Bay International Film Festival. It means she has been chosen as one of the top young filmmakers in the country.”
Curiosity, a film that explores a zoology student’s fear of insects and how she deals with it, was produced over the course of four months, from research through to post-production.
Ms Lopez-Hope is a passionate wildlife filmmaker and hopes to pursue a career in this area upon completion of her studies.
Curiosity will screen on Saturday March 8, during the 2014 Byron Bay International Film Festival at the Byron Community Centre.
The Byron Bay International Film Festival is a ten-day, independent film festival that screens a range of films that symbolise diversity, inclusion, authenticity and evolution.
You can view Marli Lopez-Hope's Vimeo site here.