Little Deaths Named Best Indie Flick

Editorial

Far from the sparkle and spotlight of Baz Luhrmann's country-stopping Australia, the lower budget arena of Australian film-making has also been celebrated this week. Producer Jason Byrne's Little Deaths, the collaborative effort of eleven Melbourne directors and one writer to depict modern love, won the grand prize - the SPAARTAN Award - at this year's DigiSPAA Competition.

The annual competition showcases Australian independent films, with the winning film taking home cash prizes as well as screen time on the Movie Extra channel. Not bad, thanks.

"We're really excited to have won," Byrne said in an official statement. "Little Deaths was a great collaborative effort and we're thrilled at the recognition of our peers. DigiSPAA is a great opportunity to market your project in front of other filmmakers and especially important for the digital/Indy filmmaker."

Byrne, who co-produced the AFI-nominated dance drama One Perfect Day, has had his hands in independent film for some time.

His 2007 entry, Rats and Cats, competed in last year's pack of DigiSPAA finalists, which was ultimately taken out by John L. Simpson's excellent male-bonding drama Men's Group. Simpson's film went on to increased festival exposure, as well as wining the second-ever AFI Fellowship Award and surprise Inside Film Awards success. Looks like Byrne's first DigiSPAA winner, Little Deaths, has much recognition to look forward to.

Amy Tran