Michael Tessari | Cinematographer
Cinematographer, Director of Photography, DOP | Michael Tessari

Adelaide Cinematographer, Director of Photography, DOP | Michael Tessari

Cinematographer, Director of Photography or DOP, Michael Tessari is primarily known for the feature film Awoken as well as numerous acclaimed works across advertising, music videos and short drama. Winner of numerous Australian Cinematographers Society Gold awards and the prestigious Milton Ingerson Award for best entry in SA and WA of 2017. Based out of Adelaide, Australia but works worldwide

MONOLITH starts shooting

FROM THE AUTHOR

Filming is now underway in Adelaide on Monolith, the first feature film to go into production as part of the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) and Adelaide Film Festival’s (AFF) Film Lab: New Voices initiative.

Now shooting in the Adelaide Hills, the high-concept science fiction thriller from the South Australian creative team of writer Lucy Campbell, director Matt Vesely and producer Bettina Hamilton is set to have its world premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival in October.

Australian rising talent Lily Sullivan (Mental, Picnic at Hanging Rock, I Met A Girl) stars in the thrilling one-hander as a headstrong journalist whose click-baiting investigative podcast uncovers a strange artifact, an alien conspiracy, and the lies at the heart of her own story.

Director Matt Vesely said: “The opportunity to make striking science fiction is one I’ve worked towards my entire life. I’m so grateful for this opportunity from the SAFC and the Adelaide Film Festival, and am stoked with the team we’ve put together. There’s a real feeling of ownership from the entire cast and crew, and that’s a really supportive place to make a first feature.

“Lily Sullivan has an impressive body of work behind her already, and it was obvious to us after our first meeting that she had a lot of passion for the project. We can’t wait to work with her at bringing this film to life. The role she plays – the only on-screen role in the whole film – is integral to the film’s success and we know that she’s going to deliver.”

Launched in 2020 by the SAFC and AFF with additional support from Mercury CX and Screen Australia, Film Lab: New Voices is a low-budget feature film skills development program designed to elevate the next generation of diverse, South Australian filmmaking talent.

As one of three projects selected for the inaugural Film Lab: New Voices program in 2021, Monolith was developed from an initial concept through to polished script with experienced industry mentors over an 11-month intensive program, before being greenlit for production in February this year with $400,000 in funding from the SAFC and AFF.

Michael Tessari