Director / Producer Genevieve Bailey Genre Feature Documentary Format HD Interactive Website and Trailer www.iameleven.

com Audiences Reect www.wheniwaseleven.com In Cinemas July 2012

Media enquiries / interviews Miranda Brown Publicity, miranda@mbpublicity.com.au (+61) 03 9419 0931 Publicity stills / full res images available on request Contact Genevieve Bailey, gen@iameleven.com (+61) 0403 983 934

SYNOPSIS
I AM ELEVEN is a lifeafrming global portrait of humanity at a crucial age no longer children, not quite adults, preparing to inherit a world changing as quickly and dramatically as they are. This documentary focuses on a series of eleven-year-olds from 15 countries, each speaking in their own words and revealing the private obsessions and public concerns that animate their lives. It is simultaneously an epic survey of the similarities and distinctions between cultures and an intimate account of these charming young personalities nding their way in the world today. I AM ELEVEN is heartwarming and for anyone who has ever been 11, or will soon be. The lm encourages audiences to reect on their own 11 year old self exploring this global tapestry in the cinema and online via www.iameleven.com and also the interactive audience engagement site www.wheniwaseleven.com

THE FILMMAKER / THE INSPIRATION

I wanted to produce a lm that would energise audiences; giving insight into the lives and ideas of children on the cusp of adolescence around the world. I had so much condence in this premise that I set off around the world with a new video camera and a lot of faith. 6 years later we were thrilled to premiere this refreshingly optimistic and energetic documentary at the Melbourne International Film Festival to sell out crowds. I AM ELEVEN's genesis was the result of several factors. As a Melbourne lmmaker about to leave Australian shores for the rst time, I wanted to create a project that forced me to work in every city I went to. I am obsessed with making lms and challenging myself creatively. I was teaching lm and video at two Universities in Melbourne, and working on the news desk at a major newspaper. I felt overwhelmed by the amount of bad news that seems to dominate the media-sphere. After dodging my own death in a serious car accident when I was 22, I reected on the age I was happiest - and it was 11. I wondered what it's like to be an 11-year-old today, with so much more access to information, are they as optimistic, blissful, carefree, and perhaps nave as I once was? Within many cultures there is a tendency to make lms about your own or the exoticism of another, but I wanted to create a truly international project that gives voice to a vast range of incomparable subjects whose individual circumstances cannot be reduced to a single commonality. In some ways the only thing these people share is their age; on the other hand, this age seems to create a potent sense of union between such scattered subjects - from India to Morocco, Bangkok to Genevieve Bailey Producer/ Director/DOP/Editor This independent production has taken me to 15 countries shooting and editing in 12 languages, exploring the world today through the eyes of those who will inherit it. Our sold out North American screenings in March/April 2012 conrmed that like its production this lms release will resonate across borders. I think audiences are well and truly ready for an uplifting insightful documentary that encourages them to think but also laugh out loud. As an Australian lmmaker I am so proud to see local audiences queuing up to see this lm. We cannot wait to share these stories on screen with more audiences across Australia and internationally.
Jamira from I Am Eleven with lmmaker Genevieve Bailey

Amsterdam, from the Upper East Side of New York to my hometown Melbourne.

NEWS
- Best Documentary in Australia at the 2011 IF Awards. - Nominated for the Independent Spirit Award 2011 - Premiered in North America March 2012 at the Cleveland International Film Festival. - I AM ELEVEN to be released in Australian cinemas from July 2012 - Newport Beach Film Festival launched I AM ELEVEN to the West Coast and presents Outstanding Achievement in Documentary award. - Premieres and wins 3rd prize in the Melbourne International Film Festival Audience Choice. After 2 sessions selling out prior to the festival opening, a 3rd surprise session was added and sold out in less than 24 hours. - Selected as one of 6 Breakthrough lms as part of MIFF 37South Market. - Sold out screenings at Melbourne, New York, Cleveland.

RECENT MEDIA
I Am Eleven may prove to be the sleeper hit of the Melbourne International Film Festival. - Stephen Cauchi, THE AGE At numerous times while watching the lm I was choking back tears; at other moments I was laughing unrestrainedly. Insightful, compassionate and poignant, I Am Eleven is highly recommended. FOUR STARS. -Richard Watts, ARTS HUB Bailey's skill as an interviewer and lmmaker sparkles; a ticket to Eleven will be a ticket to the rst major documentary of a lmmaking name of the future. -Rebecca Butterworth, FILMINK Within ve minutes into I Am Eleven I was choking back tears and this feeling returned again and again during Genevieve Baileys lm, which consists of interviews with 11-year-old children from all over the world. I think it was the purity of the lm that moved me so deeply. -Thomas Caldwell, CINEMA AUTOPSY The children felt comfortable enough to share their most intimate thoughts. -Milana Vulovic, INSIDE FILM Bailey says she wanted to make something energetic, optimistic, universal and real. She succeeded. -Clint OConnor, THE PLAIN DEALER CLEVELAND I AM ELEVEN is one of the most stunning works I have seen this year. That it has been made by a young Australian lmmaker lls me with hope for this countrys lm industry. Genevieve has fashioned a work that is at once epic and personal. It moved me to tears and made me laugh, and at its recent world premiere here at MIFF it had the same effect on the audience. -Michelle Carey, MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

THE CREW
Henrik Nordstrom Co-Producer, Photographer, Additional cinematography Swedish born photographer and musician Henrik met Genevieve in Prague, Czech Republic in 2005. He has been her key collaborator and partner since then. Nick Huggins Composer Nicks credits include the Australian Music Prize nominated debut by Kid Sam, and much of the roster of Melbournes most exciting indie label, Two Bright Lakes. He was described by Mess and Noises Darren Levin as one of the best pop arrangers working in Australia today. Tristan Meredith Sound Post Production

THE KIDS and LOCATIONS

Jamira Australia Billy UK Remi France Grace Czech Republic / UK Dagan USA Remya, Vandana, Sree Kutty, Priya, Ginisha and Jitter India Giorgi Bulgaria Goh Thailand Jack Thailand Siham Morocco Kimberly USA Oliver USA Rika Japan Luca Germany Osama and Sahin Sweden Fang China Sam Netherlands

Genevieve and Nick Huggins celebrate completion of the soundtrack!

PRODUCTION TIMELINE
Shooting commenced August 2005, the lm was shot over a number of months between 2005 to 2010, post production was then completed and the lm premiered at the 2011 Melbourne International Film Festival.
Jack and Jamira from I Am Eleven with lmmakers Genevieve Bailey and Henrik Nordstrom MIFF Opening Night 2011

WWW.IAMELEVEN.COM