You Were Chosen is a multi award winning documentary, filmed in Adelaide, South Australia, that tells the stories of two adoptees; of their journeys and experiences throughout their lives. It highlights the effects the laws have on them, as narrated by Prof. Shurlee Swain, along with the views entrenched in society by pro adoption advocates.
You Were Chosen is the second in a series of documentaries, covering issues that adoptees face in their lifetime and the effects it creates on both them and those around them, including their families.
Purchase
Although the doco will be released in early 2020, you can pre purchase the DVD by going here: https://www.freewebstore.org/watersproductions/You_Were_Chosen_DVD_presale/p2060770_20041403.aspx
The doco will be available to stream at a later date
The Crew
DOP Jordan Agutter is filming this doco with the Sony FS7 in 4k, producing some simply stunning results. He’s also operating aerial photography. This is the first time I’ve worked with Jordan. His contribution to this project has been invaluable.
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Sound Tom Wroblewski is our sound recordist. He’s also on post sound mix. I’ve known Tom for several years and have always been impressed by his standard of work and professionalism.
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On board we also have Luke Simmons from The Beat Box at Christies Beach. He’s been an amazing support by utilising his time and services to run his 8mm projector with Patricia’s old home movies for us to film.
The People
You Were Chosen commenced filming in March 2019, interviewing Ferg Ferguson alongside his biological mother, Evelyn Robinson. 
The next filming block was the interview in June with Professor Shurlee Swain, who came in from interstate. 
Finally in July, Patricia Key, adoptee was interviewed. We then obtained some of her old 8mm and Super 8 films from her youth which she had not seen before, to use within this doco.
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AWARDS
Best Shorts Competition
In September 2019, You Were Chosen, trailer, was submitted into the Best Shorts Competition in La Jolla, California where it was selected as a finalist
The trailer then went on to receive an Award of Merit
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Accolade Global Film Competition
The documentary trailer has been selected for the Accolade Global Film Competition to screen in La Jolla, California for November 2019.
It has gone on to receive an “Award of Recognition 2019” for the Trailer
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Global Shorts
You Were Chosen was selected for the Global Shorts competition to screen in Los Angeles, California for September 2019
The Trailer has gone on to receive an Award for “Honourable Mention”
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Impact Docs Awards
You Were Chosen ~ trailer, was entered into the Impact Docs Awards. In September 2019, the trailer received an “Official Selection” with final judging for placement yet to come at the end of January 2020. The festival is in La Jolla, California
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Indie Short Fest
The Doco trailer has been selected to screen at Indie Short Fest in October 2019, at Los Angeles California
The 5 minute trailer has gone on to collect a nomination for Best Trailer/Teaser
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You Were Chosen ~ due for release in 2020
You Were Chosen by Heather
Looking forward to watching this.
I now live in South Africa. Where can I download.
48yo Adopee / forced into a messed up dysfunctional family but got my life pretty well together (surface)… lol
Lyonelle Venter (Nee Watson)