Afeature called Circle Work by Edwina Exton, a Melbourne-basedactor-turned-screenwriter, has won the high-profile pitching competition heldas part of the annual Australian producers conference.

Shedescribed the film as a highly commercial romantic comedy set amid the chaos ofa B&S (bachelor and spinster's) ball, an iconic event in rural Australia.

Thetitle refers to the driving stunts that young farmers perform in their "utes"(utility vehicles) during these alcohol-fuelled outdoor parties.

Well-knowncomedian Tim Ferguson is co-writing and attached to direct, perhaps alongsideExton, and the script has already received development assistance from FilmVictoria.

"It'sMad Max meets (ice skating couple) Torvill and Dean," Exton told theover 600 delegates on Sunday, the first day of the Screen Producers Associationof Australia conference.

Theother feature project amongst the four finalists was Fork Yu, a teencomedy to be shot in China and written and pitched by Hilton Fatt, the producerof The Wiggles Movie.

Inother conference news, Beyond Productions, sister company to the sales agentBeyond Films, won the crown of independent producer of the year and AnthonyAnderson (Somersault) won the feature category.

The Holding RedlichPitching Competition is hosted by Screen Internationa's Australian/New Zealand correspondent SandyGeorge