Filmmakers

Ben Phelps – Writer/Director

Ben Phelps is an award-winning Writer and Director from Sydney, Australia.

Since graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Film Studies), Bachelor of Laws and Masters of Media Production (Directing), Ben has written several feature screenplays and directed highly successful short films, TV commercials and online content.

Ben’s short films, Checkpoint (Screen NSW Young Filmmakers Fund) and Nice Shootin’ Cowboy (Screen Australia), have garnered over 20 awards and been selected for Official Competition in over 100 prestigious international festivals, including 40 Academy Awards accredited festivals. Highlights include major prizes in Australia, USA, Canada, France, Italy, Spain and Russia, plus selection in the final 80 films eligible for the 2011 Oscars after winning Best Short Film at Austin Film Festival. Head across to the Checkpoint website to read more. Awards include:

  • Jury Prize – Montreal World Film Festival (Canada)
  • Dendy CRC Prize – Sydney Film Festival (Australia)
  • Best International Short Film – Cleveland International Film Festival (USA)
  • Gold Award – WorldFest Houston International Film Festival (USA)
  • Festival Prize – Strasbourg International Film Festival (France)
  • Best Fiction Short Film – Australian Teachers of Media Awards (Australia)
  • Best short film screenplay – Australian Writers’ Guild nomination (Australia)
  • Narrative Short Jury Award – Austin Film Festival (USA)

Ben is also an alumnus of the highly competitive creative lab, Accelerator, at Melbourne International Film Festival. He has a feature screenplay in development, The Hitman’s Cookbook.

Ben is represented by RGM Artist Group (film, TV) and Redback Media(TVCs, corporates & branded content).

 

John Maynard – Producer

John is well known as a producer with an eye for talent, producing the debut feature films from directors Jane Campion (SWEETIE), Vincent Ward (VIGIL, THE NAVIGATOR), Rowan Woods (THE BOYS), Robert Connolly (THE BANK, THREE DOLLARS, BALIBO) and Richard Roxburgh (ROMULUS, MY FATHER).

In 2007, John received the AFI Award for Best Film for ROMULUS, MY FATHER which he co-produced with Robert Connolly. John has had three films In Competition in Cannes (an unrivalled Australian record) and with partner Bridget Ikin, he co-produced Jane Campion’s AN ANGEL AT MY TABLE, the 1990 winner of the Silver Lion in Venice. THE BOYS, John’s first collaboration with business partner Robert Connolly, debuted In Competition at Berlin in 1998. In 2005 the Australian Directors Guild awarded their highest honour to John, The Cecil Holmes Memorial Award for his support of directors and the ADG.