A SHORT Australian film — Ravi & Jane — produced in Sutherland Shire could become a contender for a 2014 Academy Award.
The film's producer Leah James says Ravi & Jane has been receiving "significant" attention at international film festivals and its world premiere has been set for a short film festival — the LA Shorts Fest — on September 11.
More screenings have been confirmed for the Orlando Film Festival in Florida and the Balinale film festival in Bali. Those three screenings mean that Ravi & Jane could qualify for Oscar consideration.
The film tells of a heart-warming friendship concerning the two main characters. Ravi is a shy, 10-year-old Sri Lankan boy who has just arrived in Australia.
On his first day at a new school he is befriended by Jane and they become inseparable. Jane expects Ravi to be a guest at her birthday party until fate intervenes.
The cast includes Katya Harvey as Jane and Sathya Ilanko as Ravi.
"It's exciting to be a part of festivals which showcase some of the best short films from around the world," said director Stuart O'Rourke.
James said: "We are so happy our film has started to resonate with festival programmers. It will be exciting to share it with audiences.
"The LA Shorts Fest is an incredible way to kick off our release and schedule, and it will be exciting to share our shire film with audiences in Florida, Bali and the rest of the world."
Ravi & Jane is a co-production between Escape Artists and Hello There Productions, written, directed by Stuart O'Rourke, produced by Leah James.
