An Interview with RAW Sydney Filmmaker of the Year 2013: Jilvan M

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We're very excited to announce here on the Whim blog that over the next 9 days, we will be showcasing the work of (plus interviews with) the 9 RAW Sydney 2013 category winners! The categories include: film, art, fashion, music, hair, makeup, photography, performing art, and accessories design. Today we'll be kicking off the blog series with the very talented filmmaker Jilvan M.

Jilvan is a 23-year-old independent filmmaker & aspiring film director based in Sydney who has worked professionally in the Australian film industry for over four years now. Jilvan has taken out the well-deserved titles of Sydney Filmmaker of the Year & Australia Filmmaker of the Year at this year's RAW Artists showcase. The independent filmmaker also has a string of other impressive achievements under his belt, such as being the Writer & Director, Producer, Editor, 2nd unit D.O.P & Colourist of Web Series 'MEASURES', the Cinematographer of Tropfest Short Film 'DINNER RENDEZVOUS', and the Colorist of Feature Film 'The Day Hollywood Died' (just to name a few!).

Jilvan's web series, titled 'Measures', was featured as part of the recent RAW Sydney 2013 showcase, and the series has been described as "a gritty drama web-series about two ordinary guys who use a degree of criminal acts such as cheating and stealing, to get by in life." To check out the series and watch all seven episodes in full, you can click here.

Whim recently chatted to the talented filmmaker to congratulate him on his recent RAW Sydney success, and to ask him all about the future of his filmmaking:

Q: Congratulations on winning first place in the filmmaker category! Please tell us, what have you loved the most about your RAW Sydney experience?

A: Thank you, what I loved the most about my RAW Sydney experience was seeing other very talented artists showcasing their work in different creative fields. 

Q: What was your initial reaction when you heard the news that you would go on to represent Sydney in your category?

A: I was pleasantly surprised and very thankful, it was a great feeling.

Q: When did you first discover your love of filmmaking?

A: I've always loved film from a very young age. At the age of 13 I was making little short movies with friends on my cheap handycam.

Q: What inspires your creativity the most?

A: Everything and anything. A story, an idea, music, art, photography but mostly just people and experiences. I love stories about normal ordinary people who make extraordinary choices.

Q: What do you hope to achieve with your filmmaking career in the near future – are there any exciting, upcoming plans that you would like to share with us?

A: Well, 'ideally' I would like to work in the film industry and make films for the world to see, hopefully. Right now I am just going to keep doing what I do, write, direct and push my films out there as much as I can. I have a few projects under my belt, at the moment I am writing the second series to Measures with a friend (https://www.facebook.com/Measures.Webseries) and hopefully start filming next year.

You can head on over to Jilvan's Facebook page and website to see more of his incredible work. You can also support emerging artists by 'liking' the RAW Sydney and RAW Australia Facebook pages.

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