Brave Films is a Film Production Company that is committed to producing high quality brand commercials, innovative music clips, contemporary television formats and inspirational films
Brave Films
April 2013
Chris begins work on a new animation campaign for the ACMA.
March 2013
The new Pedders campaign is released to TV and the web. Chris Benz directs and co-produces with Kate East. Watch them here.
February 2013
The Wedding Party is released to video and iTunes, spending its first two weeks in the top 10. BRAVE shoots the WHITE NIGHT festival in Melbourne on Red cameras in 4K with spectacular results for Tourism Victoria for next year's marketing campaign.
January 2013
Chris and Kate start work on an update to their award-winning TVC campaign for Pedders Suspension in collaboration with The Creative Engine agency. This time, the emphasis will be on 3D animation with live action components. Motorsport personality Neil Crompton stars again.
December 2012
The ACMA/Cybersmart project 'The Cloud - Dream On' is launched with 8 videos produced by BRAVE.
November 2012
Chris and Kate film a program for Tourism Victoria showcasing the 'Golden Dragon Museum' in Bendigo.
October 2012
The Wedding Party feature film is released in cinemas in Australia. For more information, go to http://www.theweddingpartyfilm.com/
Kate and Chris work on a campaign for Disegno, working on the 'Luv a Duck' TV campaign starring TV chef Justine Schofield.
September 2012
Amanda and Chris direct and write a TVC campaign for Smiling Mind organisation, promoting 'Modern Meditation for Young People'. (http://smilingmind.com.au/)
July 2012
Check out the all new trailer for The Wedding Party which has just been officially launched.
Chris' new film made for Tourism Victoria and Destination Gippsland has been released online and can be viewed here.
June 2012
Chris and Kate are busy working on a new project involving 8 short films for the ACMA to be released later this year.
Chris has just completed a 4 minute film for the City of Melbourne and is working on a new campaign with The Creative Engine.
May 2012
TAGGED has also won Gold and a Grand Award at the World Media Festival. Click here for the press release..
April 2012
TAGGED, directed by Chris Benz and Line Produced by Kate East for the ACMA wins Silver at the New York Festivals Film & TV Awards.
March 2012
Chris and Kate complete new campaign for Mitre 10 starring The Block's Scott Cam. The TVC's go to air with the premiere of The Block's new season in April.
Feb 2012
TAGGED is a finalist at the New York Festivals in two categories. Congratulations to all involved with this great production for the ACMA.
Jan 2012
Chris begins work on a new campaign for Mitre10 with Creative Oasis.
TAGGED directed by Chris for the ACMA, has now exceeded 25,000+ hits. The film can be viewed here at YouTube or here in HD.
Producer Nicole Minchin has just completed work on ABC series Lowdown (Series 2).
Amanda Jane's feature has won Best Comedy Feature at the NEXT TV Indie Film Competition in Hollywood and is screening at the Sedona Film Festival in February.
Dec 2011
Happy Christmas Season to all!
Amanda Jane is in Alaska with 'The Wedding Party' featured in the 11th Anchorage International Film Festival. Amanda participated in a Q&A on the film for the festival. Another great review for the movie can be viewed here.
TAGGED, the 18 minute film directed by Chris Benz for the ACMA, has now reached 17,000+ hits since its launch 8 weeks ago. The film can be viewed here at YouTube or here in HD.
Nov 2011
Chris Benz shoots new 'Scott Cam' spots for Mitre 10 with agency CREATIVE OASIS, David Stretch (CD), Paul Knights (writer) and Paul Lo Russo (art director) producers Lisa Ramsey (agency) Kate East (production).
Chris also completes shooting a beautiful new piece for TOURISM VICTORIA and DESTINATION GIPPSLAND.
Chris’ TVC for The Creative Engine, PEDDERS ‘The Next Level’, wins an MADC AWARD for sound design.
Chris' film for the ACMA, TAGGED for online release, hits 10,000+ hits in it's first month. The film can be viewed here at YouTube or here in HD.
Oct 2011
The Wedding Party wins BEST FILM and BEST DIRECTOR at the 2011 Bel Air Film Festival in Los Angeles.
The film also has its UK premiere at the 2011 Raindance Film Festival and screens at the Friars Club Comedy Film Festival in NY, the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival and The Kansas International Film Festival.
Nicole goes into production on the second series of LOWDOWN.
Sep 2011
Chris Benz's short film for ACMA 'TAGGED' is launched at ACMI, Federation Square on 23rd September. See the full film in HD. Production GSC. Simon Whitney (producer), Kate East (line producer).
Christopher Benz completes a dynamic, 'youth-oriented' TEAC brand campaign for THE CREATIVE ENGINE, Rob Langmaid (CD)& Glen Cartledge (CD).
THE WEDDING PARTY wins four awards at the NEW YORK CITY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, taking home BEST FEATURE FILM, BEST DIRECTOR (Comedy), BEST ACTOR (Josh Lawson) and BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS (Nadine Garner).
Aug 2011
Christopher Benz shoots a new comedy campaign for MITRE 10/THE BLOCK tie-in, Agency CREATIVE OASIS, David Stretch (CD), Paul Knights (writer) and Paul Lo Russo (art director) producers Lisa Ramsey (agency) Kate East (production).
Amanda Jane completes a new ‘ZOE’ campaign for AUSTRALIAN UNITY and SPINACH ADVERTISING, Frank Morabito (CD), producers Beaver (agency), Jenifer Hadden (production).
Jul 2011
Christopher Benz shoots a new MITRE 10 campaign featuring SCOTT CAM from The Block - Agency CREATIVE OASIS, David Stretch (CD), Paul Knights (writer) and Paul Lo Russo (art director) producers Lisa Ramsey (agency) Kate East (production).
THE WEDDING PARTY takes out BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE award at 2011 MANHATTAN FILM FESTIVAL and wins a GOLDEN ACE AWARD at THE LAS VEGAS FILM FESTIVAL.
Jun 2011
Amanda Jane shoots a new AUSTRALIAN UNITY campaign featuring ‘ZOE’ for SPINACH ADVERTISING, Frank Morabito (CD), producers Beaver (Agency) and Jennifer Hadden (Production).
Chris is shooting an internet campaign for 'Inspired by Gippsland' through Tourism Victoria.
THE WEDDING PARTY wins BEST FILM, BEST ACTOR – Josh Lawson, BEST SCREENPLAY and BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – Lance Davis at THE LOS ANGELES MOVIE AWARDS.
May 2011
THE WEDDING PARTY wins BEST FILM, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST SCREENPLAY and BEST ENSEMBLE at to 2011 LOS ANGELES COMEDY FESTIVAL. Amanda Jane and Annie Flynn head to the CANNES FILM FESTIVAL where THE WEDDING PARTY screens in the market screenings.
Chris completes the new Mark Winterbottom commercial for TEAC through THE CREATIVE ENGINE and also shoots another vignette for Tourism Victoria's Gippsland campaign.
Apr 2011
THE WEDDING PARTY has its US PREMIERE at 2011 VAIL INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, and wins a SILVER PALM AWARD at THE MEXICO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.
Chris is shooting 'TAGGED', a 20 minute short for ACMA on the topic of youth and social networking. The film features a fresh young cast courtesy of Mullinar's Casting and is in the form of a teen drama.
Mar 2011
Amanda Jane shoots another AUSTRALIAN UNITY campaign featuring ‘ZOE’ for SPINACH ADVERTISING, Frank Morabito (CD) producers Beaver (Agency) and Jennifer Hadden (Production).
Chris shoots a series of vignettes for TAC involving the point of view of a motorcycle rider.
THE WEDDING PARTY screens on opening night of AUSTRALIAN FILM FESTIVAL in Sydney, cast members Steve Bisley, Kestie Morassi, Essie Davis and Heather Mitchell are in attendance along with Amanda Jane director and Annie Flynn associate producers.
Feb 2011
Christopher Benz creates a fantastic new animated campaign for PEDDERS and Agency THE CREATIVE ENGINE, Rob Langmaid (CD)& Glen Cartledge (CD) Kate East (production). Post produced at MRPPP this campaign has a highly visual futuristic design. MRPPP's animation work on this piece is absolutely superb.
Jan 2011
Amanda Jane directs a new campaign for AUSTRALIAN UNITY HEALTH featuring the new character of ZOE for SPINACH ADVERTISING, Frank Morabito (CD) producers Beaver (Agency) Jennifer Hadden (production).
Chris Benz directs a piece for the Heart Foundation.
Dec 2010
Nicole Minchin and Annie Flynn go into production on the new ABCTV series TWENTYSOMETHING.
Chris begins work on a futuristic new look Pedders campaign, courtesy of The Creative Engine - creatives Rob Langmaid and Glenn Cartledge.
Nov 2010
THE WEDDING PARTY screens at BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL.
Chris shoots a piece for Tourism Victoria in Gippsland depicting the recovery from the victims of Black Saturday and it's impact on the businesses in the region.
Oct 2010
Amanda Jane shoots a new campaign for TRUE ENERGY and SANFORD PARTNERSHIP, Matt Burges (CD) producers John Marney (agency) and Jennifer Hadden (production).
Chris directs a motion graphics laden piece focusing on Australia's export industry.
Sep 2010
Amanda Jane heads to Toronto to attend the prestigious DIRECTOR’S TALENT LAB at the 2010 TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL with advisors Lee Daniels, Depa Metha, Steve Woolley, Steven Friars, Ari Hirsh, Fred Scopes, James Shamus and Michael Nyman.
'You be the Judge' a web-project is launched. Chris was the creative director of the project and directed all of the drama elements.
Aug 2010
THE WEDDING PARTY opens the CINEFEST OZ Film Festival in Western Australia. Cast members Steve Bisley and Kestie Morassi attend the festival along with director Amanda Jane and associate producer Annie Flynn.
Chris is completing work on the web project 'You Be the Judge' for the Sentencing Council of Australia. He also begins shooting new work for Tourism Victoria in Gippsland.
July 2010
THE WEDDING PARTY has its world premiere on OPENING NIGHT of the MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL with all of the films lead cast in attendance JOSH LAWSON, ISABEL LUCAS, KESTIE MORASSI, STEVE BISLEY, RHONDA BURCHMORE, ESSIE DAVIS, GEOFF PAINE, ADAM ZWAR, NADINE GARNER, HEATHER MITCHELL and NIKITA LEIGH-PRITCHARD. The film screens at 5 sold out sessions at MIFF winning the most popular Australian Film of the festival.
Chris completes work on a program promoting the Goods Shed, Docklands for the Building Council and VicUrban.
