WA short film makes its debut

Digital short film FACTORY293 has made its official debut ahead of its public release in early April.   

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said FACTORY293 was a highly innovative production, from the way it was funded, its use of special effects, to its distribution.

Filmed at the Midland Railway Workshops, the site was transformed into a snow swept, 1940s Soviet Union munitions factory.  The story centres on Comrade Grigori (Myles Pollard) and his female factory workforce during a raging blizzard.  

"FACTORY293 is an excellent showcase of the creative talent we have in Perth. The majority of the cast and the entire crew are Western Australians, many of them in the early part of their career," Mr Day said.

"More than 200 digital effect shots were used to transform Midland into a desolate Russian winter.  The filmmakers have shown that with cutting edge technology and sophisticated production design, WA can represent anywhere in the world."

The State Government, through ScreenWest, contributed $60,000 through its 3to1 initiative. This program involved ScreenWest contributing three dollars for each dollar the producers raised through crowdfunding website Pozible (up to a maximum limit).

FACTORY293 is produced by Justin McArdle, co-produced by Michael Searle and written, produced and directed by Roderick MacKay.  It stars Myles Pollard (Drift, Wolverine, McLeod's Daughters), Lizzie Schebesta (Bell Shakespeare), Nicola Bartlett (Little Sparrows), Christie Sistrunk (Neighbours, Lockie Leonard series 1 and 2) and Ben O'Toole (The Water Diviner).

Fact File

• The production was supported by ScreenWest, Lotterywest, the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and the Film and Television Institute

• FACTORY293 will be released online for free viewing in early April 2014

Minister's office - 6552 6200