A new feature film by two QUT acting graduates will bring its humour, music and marriage equality message to Brisbane for a special screening with the filmmakers on June 19 following its world premiere in Toronto on May 29.
Guy Edmonds (QUT's class of 2004) and Matt Zeremes (2006) wrote, directed and star in Super Awesome!, which will premiere this month at the 25th Annual Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival.
The pair play down-on-their luck mates who receive $250,000 to create a musical on an issue they know nothing about - gay marriage.
Edmonds and Zeremes had much less money to play with than their characters.
They made the film on a budget of just $60,000 but still managed to shoot in Sydney and New York with actors including theatre specialist Simon Burke (Mary Poppins, Sound of Music) and Patrick Brammall (Offspring, A Moody Christmas) and cinematographer Judd Overton (Return to Nim's Island).
Edmonds and Zeremes have already made names for themselves as straight actors playing gay lovers in multiple theatre productions of Holding the Man in Sydney and London's West End.
Zeremes said they didn't want to preach to the converted with Super Awesome!.
"We wanted those who don't like the idea of marriage equality to see another point of view," he said.
"Our two main characters represent these people. They're naive to the significance of the theme. However, throughout the course of the film they learn why it's important."
The film will be digitally released on iTunes and other VOD (video on demand) platforms on May 29 - the same day as the world premiere in Toronto.
The QUT Creative Industries Alumni Chapter will also host a public cinema screening of Super Awesome! on June 19, with each $20 ticket including food and beverages, the screening, and a Q&A panel discussion with Edmonds and Zeremes after the movie. AFI-award winner Simon Burke will also perform the film's signature song Man to Man.
Tickets are limited and can be purchased online.
Zeremes and Edmonds are both graduates of QUT's Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting) in the university's renowned Creative Industries Faculty.
They are partners in the Sydney-based production company, Boomshaka Film, which works on projects including feature films, television commercials and corporate videos.
For more information on the QUT Creative Industries Alumni Chapter, call 07 3138 4778 or email alumni@qut.edu.au.
Media contact: Mechelle McMahon, QUT media officer, media@qut.edu.au
