Local Film Wins Grand Jury Prize At Seattle International Film Festival

In a huge win for the Australian independent film industry, Girl Asleep, directed by Adelaide filmmaker Rosemary Myers, has picked up the prestigious Grand Jury Award at this year's Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF).

The film, scheduled to screen at both Sydney Film Festival and Melbourne International Film Festival later this year, took out the win against another Australian film, Holding The Man.

SIFF's Festival Director and Chief Curator Carl Spence said of Girl Asleep, "The Jury would like to recognise an ambitious feature debut. Truly original, theatrical, and impeccably choreographed, this coming of age story woke us up.

"Stylish, quirky but substantive, and with every frame filled with evocative and hilarious detail, the Jury Prize for best film in the official competition of the 2016 Seattle International Film Festival goes to Girl Asleep by Rosemary Myers."

The film is adapted from Matthew Whittet's play of the same name and is set in 1970s Australia with stunning muted colours and a cheeky soundtrack. Film critic Anthony Carew wrote, "This sweet, silly Australian teen-movie begins as ultra-twee Wes Anderson homage — all symmetrical framing, mannered delivery, and cutesy costumes — before getting stranger as it goes: debutante director Rosemary Myers delivering choreographed dance-numbers, schoolyard bullying in song, and, eventually, a full descent into a fairytale dreamworld."