Franswa Sharl wins at MIFF!

Directed by HANNAH HILLIARD and produced by LINDA MICSKO, FRANSWA SHARL, tells the story of a twelve- year-old boy who while on holidays with his family in Fiji, reinvents himself as a French girl so he can enter a competition – much to his father’s dismay. This film is based on a true story and is framed in the exotic and colourful landscape of a Fijian resort in 1980.

HILLIARD was a participant at this years Melbourne International Film Festival’s Accelerator program, a unique program for filmmakers that brings together and supports the best young filmmakers from across Australia and New Zealand.

This achievement follows on from FRANSWA SHARL’S Crystal Bear win for Best Short Film at the Berlin International Film Festival, Generation 2010 and their IF Media Award for Most Popular Film at Flickerfest 2010. Other achievements include a Teddy Nomination at the Berlin International Film Festival and an Honourable Mention at Curtas Vila Do Conde. The film has screened at many festivals since it’s premiere including Aspen Shortsfest, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The script was a collaboration between HILLIARD and co writer GREG LOGAN, and is a fictionalised account of a bizarre stunt LOGAN pulled as a twelve-year-old boy.

Rising talent CALLAN MCAULIFFE who plays the young Greg, will soon be seen in cinemas as the lead role in the upcoming Warner Bros feature film FLIPPED, directed by Rob Reiner. MCAULIFFE has also been cast as lead in the DreamWorks feature I AM NUMBER 4 with STEVEN SPIELBERG/MICHAEL BAY producing and DJ CARUSO directing.

FRANSWA SHARL’S other stellar cast members include JOHN BATCHELOR (Sea Patrol, The Tender Hook), DIANA GLENN (Carla Cametti PD, Satisfaction, Black Water, Oyster Farmer), STEVE LEMARQUAND, (Last Train To Freo, Men’s Group, Kokoda) PIPPA GRANDISON (Rebecca, Crash Palace, Muriel’s Wedding), IVY LATIMER (Love My Way), TIARNIE COUPLAND (The Final Winter), newcomers LUKE HOBBINS and BEN INGRAM, JAY RYAN (Lou, Sea Patrol), CHUM EHELEPOLA (The Surgeon) and a cameo appearance from the real GREG LOGAN.

Key crew include Director of Photography JUDD OVERTON, Production Designer NATALIE BEAK, Editor CEINWEN BERRY, Sound Designer LIAM EGAN, Costume Designer CHARLOTTE HAYWOOD, Casting Director KIRSTY MCGREGOR.
AMANDA BROWN of The Go Betweens fame composed the evocative score which consists of traditional Fijian music and 80’s pop culture tunes, performed by ABBY DOBSON and PAUL CAPSIS.
With plenty of heart, humour and a hint of magic, FRANSWA SHARL creates a visual feast and will take the audience on a nostalgic journey.

for media enquiries, please contact: Linda Micsko, Room Four Films
PO Box 949, Darlinghurst NSW 1300 t: 0438 792 399    e: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it