Jub Clerc’s debut feature ‘Sweet As’ premiering at TIFF, MIFF and CinefestOZ
Sweet As is the first Australian feature written and directed by a Western Australian Indigenous filmmaker - an incredible milestone for Jub Clerc and the WA screen industry. The Pilbara-filmed feature was made possible thanks to Screenwest’s West Coast Visions initiative, the WA Screen Fund and Screen Australia. Congratulations Jub!
Screenwest is pleased to announce Western Australian film, Sweet As, the debut feature from Nyul Nyul / Yawuru filmmaker Jub Clerc, has been officially selected to premiere at three prestigious film festivals – TIFF, MIFF and CinefestOZ in August and September.
Sweet As is the first Australian feature written and directed by a Western Australian Indigenous filmmaker, and was made possible thanks to Screenwest’s West Coast Visions initiative, the WA Screen Fund and Screen Australia’s First Nations Department.
The film will make its world premiere at Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) on 13 August, before heading home to make its WA premiere in Busselton at CinefestOZ on 26 August, where it will compete for the festival’s coveted $100,000 Film Prize. Jub and producer Liz Kearney will then take Sweet As to Canada, where it will make its international premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.
“This is an incredible milestone for Jub, who has made such a personal and joyous film; I can’t wait to see Sweet As and Jub celebrated in Toronto, Melbourne and Busselton. We’re so pleased to support this transformative First Nations feature, which was filmed in Western Australia’s beautiful Pilbara region.” said Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO.
“Huge congratulations to Jub on this monumental achievement. To have her first feature film recognized by all three of these prestigious and influential film festivals is justifiable recognition of her powerful storytelling ability. We’re proud to see this distinctly First Nations story captivate festival audiences both at home and across the globe.” said Angela Bates, Screen Australia’s Head of First Nations.
Described as The Breakfast Club meets the outback, Sweet As follows 16-year-old Murra, who is on the verge of self-destruction. That is, until her policeman uncle secures an unusual lifeline: a “photo-safari for at-risk kids”. Murra isn’t entirely convinced, but she soon joins cantankerous Kylie, uptight Sean, happy-go-lucky Elvis, and team leaders Fernando and Mitch on a transformative bus trip through the Pilbara. On the trail, the teens learn about fun, friendship and first crushes, as well as the forces of ‘reality’ that puncture the bubble of youth.
Shantae Barnes-Cowan (Total Control, Firebite) stars alongside First Nations actors Tasma Walton (Mystery Road, Cleverman), Mark Coles Smith (Mystery Road: Origin, Last Cab to Darwin), Ngaire Pigram (Mystery Road, Mad Bastards), Pedrea Jackson (Robbie Hood, Blueback) and Chilean-Cuban-Australian actor Carlos Sanson Jr (Bump) along with first time young actors Mikayla Levy and Andrew Wallace.
“It’s a little bit surreal after 10 long joyous years, that we get to see Sweet As take its first steps out into the world with such a robust reception. I’m so proud and eternally grateful to everyone that came on board with open hearts to make this experience so special and memorable.” said Jub Clerc, Sweet As writer/director.
The coming-of-age story was written by Jub Clerc with Steve Rodgers and is based on Jub’s life growing up in the Pilbara region. Jub spent many years in theatre before moving into film and TV, working on Australian classics like Mad Bastards, Satellite Boy and Mystery Road Series 1. She then went on to direct two episodes of ABC’s The Heights Series 2, NITV documentary Struggling Songlines and a chapter of feature film The Turning, to name a few. Most recently, Jub’s short form comedy drama series Warm Props was shortlisted for SBS, NITV and Screen Australia’s Digital Originals initiative, and last month Jub was announced as one of the series directors on ABC ME’s new children’s series Turn Up the Volume, currently in production.
Jub Clerc was the first Indigenous filmmaker recipient of Screenwest’s West Coast Visions initiative in 2018 and the first all-female creative team with producer Liz Kearney, with Sweet As receiving $750,000 production funding.
“Massive congratulations to the talented Jub Clerc, Liz Kearney and their entire hard-working team for bringing Jub’s debut feature to fruition. This coming-of-age journey comes straight from the heart of its writer and director, and her characters are immersed on Country throughout the mesmerising and enchanting Pilbara. I’m so proud of Jub and of what she has achieved over so many years of hard work to bring this story to life. I’m thoroughly looking forward to seeing Sweet As, along with audiences everywhere, on the big screen.” said Devina McPherson, Screenwest Indigenous Executive.
WA audiences can catch Sweet As at CinefestOZ in Busselton on Friday, 26 August. Tickets available here. The screening will also be followed by an In Conversation Lunch with the filmmaking team at Yarri Bar and Restaurant on Saturday, 27 August.
Production Credit: Sweet As is an Arenamedia production, with major production investment from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department in association with Screenwest, Lotterywest and the Western Australian Screen Fund. Financed with support from Soundfirm, the Melbourne International Film Festival Premiere Fund and VicScreen. ANZ distribution by Cinemaplus and Rest of World sales by Maze Film Sales.