Exclusive: Coming off her SXSW US feature debut, and TIFF 2023 world premiere, The Queen of My Dreams, Fawzia Mirza has signed on to direct the Australian feature film, Written in the Stars.
Penned by and starring Menik Gooneratne, Written in the Stars is an adaptation of the bestselling novel The Wedding Season by Su Dharmapala. Set in and around the Sri Lankan diaspora in Melbourne, the film centers on a woman (Gooneratne) who, when modern dating attempts fail, turns to Vedic Astrology and horoscope matching in the hopes of finding her true love.
Gooneratne’s screenplay received industry attention after making the 2021 Cape x Blacklist. The actor is best known for her work on the Peter Jackson sci-fi epic Mortal Engines and Oscar nominated Lion.
“Written in the Stars is a love letter to my hometown and community, and I am thrilled to have someone who brings such vibrancy and...
Penned by and starring Menik Gooneratne, Written in the Stars is an adaptation of the bestselling novel The Wedding Season by Su Dharmapala. Set in and around the Sri Lankan diaspora in Melbourne, the film centers on a woman (Gooneratne) who, when modern dating attempts fail, turns to Vedic Astrology and horoscope matching in the hopes of finding her true love.
Gooneratne’s screenplay received industry attention after making the 2021 Cape x Blacklist. The actor is best known for her work on the Peter Jackson sci-fi epic Mortal Engines and Oscar nominated Lion.
“Written in the Stars is a love letter to my hometown and community, and I am thrilled to have someone who brings such vibrancy and...
- 4/9/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Production on anthology feature My Melbourne, produced by Mind Blowing Entertainment, is set to get underway this month in collaboration with high-profile Indian directors Kabir Khan, Onir, Rimas Das and Imtiaz Ali. The film interweaves four stories from emerging writing and directing teams, exploring sexuality, gender, disability and race. Mitu Bhowmick Lange and Leanne Tonkes […]
The post Multicultural anthology feature ‘My Melbourne’ kicks off under guidance of Indian directors appeared first on If Magazine.
The post Multicultural anthology feature ‘My Melbourne’ kicks off under guidance of Indian directors appeared first on If Magazine.
- 2/1/2023
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) has unveiled the finalists for two of its pitching competitions, one in partnership with Monster Pictures and the other with Sony.
Both events will be held during the upcoming Aacta Screenfest.
Aacta Pitch: Focus
Developed with Sony, Aacta Pitch: Focus is aimed at film students, offering the opportunity to pitch, develop, shoot a proof of concept and produce a short film, with
guidance from an experienced panel of short filmmakers. The grand prize is $15,000 in production funds along with an extensive suite of complimentary film equipment from Sony.
Finalists include:
I Can’t Get Next To You – Mollie McGregor, Jenna Woodhouse, London Hartard, Chloe Bobbin (Aftrs)
Trapped within her father’s grief and desperate to connect with her late mother, Glen
accidentally travels back in time, from 1988 to 1969, where she must contest with her teen father for her young mum’s...
Both events will be held during the upcoming Aacta Screenfest.
Aacta Pitch: Focus
Developed with Sony, Aacta Pitch: Focus is aimed at film students, offering the opportunity to pitch, develop, shoot a proof of concept and produce a short film, with
guidance from an experienced panel of short filmmakers. The grand prize is $15,000 in production funds along with an extensive suite of complimentary film equipment from Sony.
Finalists include:
I Can’t Get Next To You – Mollie McGregor, Jenna Woodhouse, London Hartard, Chloe Bobbin (Aftrs)
Trapped within her father’s grief and desperate to connect with her late mother, Glen
accidentally travels back in time, from 1988 to 1969, where she must contest with her teen father for her young mum’s...
- 11/30/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
The Secret She Keeps and Wentworth scribe Sarah Walker is set to write and executive produce crime thriller series The Last House Guest for Elle and Dakota Fanning’s newly-formed production company, Lewellen Pictures.
An adaptation of The New York Times bestseller from author Megan Miranda, it is the first project in development under the Fanning sisters’ first look deal with Civic Center Media in association with MRC Television.
The Last House Guest follows an intimate friendship between two girls who fall violently in love with each other’s differences, which, in the end, create doubt, betrayal and tragedy.
Dakota and Elle will executive produce alongside Brittany Kahan Ward and Mary Jane Skalski for Echo Lake Entertainment.
Over the past few years, Walker has been working on an adaptation of Gina Frangello’s novel A Life In Men for Charlize Theron and Beth Kono’s production company Denver & Delilah. The...
An adaptation of The New York Times bestseller from author Megan Miranda, it is the first project in development under the Fanning sisters’ first look deal with Civic Center Media in association with MRC Television.
The Last House Guest follows an intimate friendship between two girls who fall violently in love with each other’s differences, which, in the end, create doubt, betrayal and tragedy.
Dakota and Elle will executive produce alongside Brittany Kahan Ward and Mary Jane Skalski for Echo Lake Entertainment.
Over the past few years, Walker has been working on an adaptation of Gina Frangello’s novel A Life In Men for Charlize Theron and Beth Kono’s production company Denver & Delilah. The...
- 3/5/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
A television adaptation of 2018’s Ladies in Black, a feature film from Bryan Brown, and a television drama from one of the creators of Offspring are among the 21 projects to share in more than $730,000 in development funding from Screen Australia.
Of the projects to receive funding, 10 have been supported through the Generate fund and 11 through the Premium fund.
Screen Australia’s head of content Sally Caplan said the agency was impressed by the “rigorous creativity” of Australian creators as the industry continued to rebound from Covid-19.
“It’s great to see a number of engaging stories set around iconic milestones in Australian history, from the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to the social change that took place in the 60s or the recession in the 80s, and I look forward to seeing these projects develop further,” she said.
Features:
Premium:
1989
Sewing Pictures Pty Ltd
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
Writer...
Of the projects to receive funding, 10 have been supported through the Generate fund and 11 through the Premium fund.
Screen Australia’s head of content Sally Caplan said the agency was impressed by the “rigorous creativity” of Australian creators as the industry continued to rebound from Covid-19.
“It’s great to see a number of engaging stories set around iconic milestones in Australian history, from the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to the social change that took place in the 60s or the recession in the 80s, and I look forward to seeing these projects develop further,” she said.
Features:
Premium:
1989
Sewing Pictures Pty Ltd
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
Writer...
- 3/1/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Film lab includes projects from the UK, US, Canada and Australia.
Thirteen international projects have been selected for the inaugural development lab Attagirl, designed to support female and non-binary filmmakers.
It is an initiative of Australia’s For FIlm’s Sake and is supported by Screen Australia’s Enterprise Business and Ideas programme, advocacy organisation For Film’s Sake, and the Toronto and Sydney International Film Festivals.
The first of three workshops in a 10-month programme will take place this week. It will include projects spanning the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Sweden and New Zealand and will include creatives from Mexico and Trinidad.
Thirteen international projects have been selected for the inaugural development lab Attagirl, designed to support female and non-binary filmmakers.
It is an initiative of Australia’s For FIlm’s Sake and is supported by Screen Australia’s Enterprise Business and Ideas programme, advocacy organisation For Film’s Sake, and the Toronto and Sydney International Film Festivals.
The first of three workshops in a 10-month programme will take place this week. It will include projects spanning the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Sweden and New Zealand and will include creatives from Mexico and Trinidad.
- 9/11/2020
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Leanne Tonkes and Emma Freeman.
Growing up in a remote town in South Australia in the 1950s, Emma Freeman’s mother often heard the circus troupe which camped in fields nearby.
Fascinated by this unusual group of people, like many young girls she contemplated running away and joining the circus, but did not do so.
That became the inspiration for The Circus, a passion project for writer-director Freeman, which she is developing with her long-time collaborator, producer Leanne Tonkes.
It’s among six Australian projects selected for Attagirl, the feature film development lab for female and non-binary creative teams.
Set in rural 1950s Australia, the narrative follows a beautiful, feisty circus performer who meets a lonely and determined female farmer, forcing them to decide to conform or follow their hearts.
“The story isn’t about a girl running away but more about two people from very different backgrounds finding each...
Growing up in a remote town in South Australia in the 1950s, Emma Freeman’s mother often heard the circus troupe which camped in fields nearby.
Fascinated by this unusual group of people, like many young girls she contemplated running away and joining the circus, but did not do so.
That became the inspiration for The Circus, a passion project for writer-director Freeman, which she is developing with her long-time collaborator, producer Leanne Tonkes.
It’s among six Australian projects selected for Attagirl, the feature film development lab for female and non-binary creative teams.
Set in rural 1950s Australia, the narrative follows a beautiful, feisty circus performer who meets a lonely and determined female farmer, forcing them to decide to conform or follow their hearts.
“The story isn’t about a girl running away but more about two people from very different backgrounds finding each...
- 9/9/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Fads and Miracles’ (Photo credit: Matt Sav.)
Tracey Rigney, Emma Freeman, Tanya Modini, Laura Scrivano, Zoe Pepper, Eve Spence and Amin Palangi are among the directors who will take part in Attagirl, the new lab dedicated to creating production and distribution pathways for feature films by female and non-binary creative teams.
Six Australian projects and one from New Zealand are among 13 from around the world selected for the lab designed and run by For Film’s Sake (Ffs), financially supported by Screen Australia’s Enterprise Business and Ideas funding program and other Australian and international screen agencies.
The first of three workshops consisting of nine days of project development during TIFF’s Industry Conference and digital festival begins tomorrow. The second next January will look at ways to identify and reach the target audience, including digital distribution and the future of exhibition.
The third, affiliated with the Sydney Film Festival in June,...
Tracey Rigney, Emma Freeman, Tanya Modini, Laura Scrivano, Zoe Pepper, Eve Spence and Amin Palangi are among the directors who will take part in Attagirl, the new lab dedicated to creating production and distribution pathways for feature films by female and non-binary creative teams.
Six Australian projects and one from New Zealand are among 13 from around the world selected for the lab designed and run by For Film’s Sake (Ffs), financially supported by Screen Australia’s Enterprise Business and Ideas funding program and other Australian and international screen agencies.
The first of three workshops consisting of nine days of project development during TIFF’s Industry Conference and digital festival begins tomorrow. The second next January will look at ways to identify and reach the target audience, including digital distribution and the future of exhibition.
The third, affiliated with the Sydney Film Festival in June,...
- 9/8/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
(L-r) Yvonne Strahovski, Cate Blanchett and Emma Freeman on the ‘Stateless’ set.
The suspension and postponement of numerous screen productions has disrupted directors as much as any industry cohort – but many continue to develop film and TV projects.
“I’m using my downtime to develop some feature projects, in particular The Circus written by Alice Bell, and writing my first feature screenplay,” says Emma Freeman, who co-directed Stateless and was working with Tony Ayres on Netflix’s Clickbait until production halted.
To be produced by Leanne Tonkes, The Circus follows a circus troupe that is stranded by a horrific roadside accident in the middle of drought-stricken farmlands. As the troupe becomes more desperate, their star trapeze artist falls in love with a farmer and must choose between the life she’s always known and the life that could be if she stayed.
“This is an epic love story,” says Freeman,...
The suspension and postponement of numerous screen productions has disrupted directors as much as any industry cohort – but many continue to develop film and TV projects.
“I’m using my downtime to develop some feature projects, in particular The Circus written by Alice Bell, and writing my first feature screenplay,” says Emma Freeman, who co-directed Stateless and was working with Tony Ayres on Netflix’s Clickbait until production halted.
To be produced by Leanne Tonkes, The Circus follows a circus troupe that is stranded by a horrific roadside accident in the middle of drought-stricken farmlands. As the troupe becomes more desperate, their star trapeze artist falls in love with a farmer and must choose between the life she’s always known and the life that could be if she stayed.
“This is an epic love story,” says Freeman,...
- 3/26/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Leanne Tonkes, Martin Sacks and Victoria Garrett.
Martin Sacks enjoyed working with director Victoria Garrett in her debut feature Don’t Tell so much that he was keen to collaborate with her again.
The actor had been mulling the idea of a film about a father and son relationship which is tested by an unforeseen tragedy, so he pitched the concept to Garrett early last year.
She immediately sparked to the idea and is now developing the project with Sacks, screenwriter John Ridley and producer Leanne Tonkes.
Sacks will play the lead, the father of two teenage sons who live in a small country town. He’s an ordinary man on an ordinary day until he finds his life turned upside down by an indiscriminate tragedy.
Susie Porter, Nathaniel Dean and Daniela Farinacci will play supporting roles.
For the key role of the 15-year-old son the producers are keen to find a fresh face.
Martin Sacks enjoyed working with director Victoria Garrett in her debut feature Don’t Tell so much that he was keen to collaborate with her again.
The actor had been mulling the idea of a film about a father and son relationship which is tested by an unforeseen tragedy, so he pitched the concept to Garrett early last year.
She immediately sparked to the idea and is now developing the project with Sacks, screenwriter John Ridley and producer Leanne Tonkes.
Sacks will play the lead, the father of two teenage sons who live in a small country town. He’s an ordinary man on an ordinary day until he finds his life turned upside down by an indiscriminate tragedy.
Susie Porter, Nathaniel Dean and Daniela Farinacci will play supporting roles.
For the key role of the 15-year-old son the producers are keen to find a fresh face.
- 1/19/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Film4 director Daniel Battsek is the industry ambassador this year.
Senior executives from Film4, Playtime and eOne are among the participants in the 2019 edition of Inside Pictures, the international business training and leadership skills development programme from the UK’s National Film and TV School (Nfts).
Among the 20 participants are Frédérique Rouault, director of international sales at French sales agent Playtime; Samanta Roberts, marketing director, film at eOne Spain; and two representatives from Film4 – senior legal and business affairs manager Don McNicholl, and marketing and distribution manager Hannah Saunders.
Daniel Battsek, director of Film4, is the industry ambassador for the programme.
Senior executives from Film4, Playtime and eOne are among the participants in the 2019 edition of Inside Pictures, the international business training and leadership skills development programme from the UK’s National Film and TV School (Nfts).
Among the 20 participants are Frédérique Rouault, director of international sales at French sales agent Playtime; Samanta Roberts, marketing director, film at eOne Spain; and two representatives from Film4 – senior legal and business affairs manager Don McNicholl, and marketing and distribution manager Hannah Saunders.
Daniel Battsek, director of Film4, is the industry ambassador for the programme.
- 4/26/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
‘This is Desmondo Ray!’
Steve Baker’s This is Desmondo Ray!, a live action/animated series about a peculiar man who searches for love in a dark and troubling world, has been voted world champion at the Web Series World Cup.
Produced by Leanne Tonkes and backed by Screen Australia and Screen Queensland, the 6 x 7 minute drama is the second win for an Australian production after Luke Eve and Glen Dolman’s High Life was victorious last year.
The competition run by Mip TV collates results from web festivals around the world and publishes a table of the most awarded web series of the year. Desmondo Ray! was selected for 19 fests, garnered 26 nominations and 25 awards.
There are three Aussie titles in the top 10. Writer-director Blake Fraser and producer Chris Thompson’s dark drama Patricia Moore, a French-Australian co-production, came third with 31 nominations at eight festivals.
Starring Danielle Cormack, Les Hill,...
Steve Baker’s This is Desmondo Ray!, a live action/animated series about a peculiar man who searches for love in a dark and troubling world, has been voted world champion at the Web Series World Cup.
Produced by Leanne Tonkes and backed by Screen Australia and Screen Queensland, the 6 x 7 minute drama is the second win for an Australian production after Luke Eve and Glen Dolman’s High Life was victorious last year.
The competition run by Mip TV collates results from web festivals around the world and publishes a table of the most awarded web series of the year. Desmondo Ray! was selected for 19 fests, garnered 26 nominations and 25 awards.
There are three Aussie titles in the top 10. Writer-director Blake Fraser and producer Chris Thompson’s dark drama Patricia Moore, a French-Australian co-production, came third with 31 nominations at eight festivals.
Starring Danielle Cormack, Les Hill,...
- 11/27/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
“This is what happens when you make up stories,” one character says about three-fourths of the way through the confidently ambitious “The Second,” and the line is a succinct summation of the deceptively deep goings-on beneath the film’s faintly sordid surface. The maiden project developed and produced under the Screen Queensland Originals program in partnership with the streaming service Stan (the film is playing commercially now and will commence it’s Stan stand July 20), “The Second” is a sexy and satisfying thriller that toys with time, memory and the provocative side of storytelling.
In keeping with the mysterious spirit of the proceedings, shhh — no names, please: riding the crest of her well-received and best-selling erotic thriller, the Writer (Rachael Blake) is off to her family’s sprawling and regally laid-out country estate for a sex-fueled working weekend with her boyfriend the Publisher (Vince Colosimo). Soon after they settle in,...
In keeping with the mysterious spirit of the proceedings, shhh — no names, please: riding the crest of her well-received and best-selling erotic thriller, the Writer (Rachael Blake) is off to her family’s sprawling and regally laid-out country estate for a sex-fueled working weekend with her boyfriend the Publisher (Vince Colosimo). Soon after they settle in,...
- 7/10/2018
- by Eddie Cockrell
- Variety Film + TV
Denmark-based LevelK has acquired international sales rights to Australian filmmaker Mairi Cameron’s sexy psychological thriller, ”The Second” which recently world premiered at Gold Coast Film Festival.
“The Second,” which marks the first Original feature ordered by streaming service Stan, stars Rachel Blake (“Sleeping Beauty”), Susie Porter (“Hounds of Love”) and Vince Colosimo (“Chopper”).
“The Second” follows a successful author riding high on the international acclaim of her first book, a sexually explicit autobiography. While preparing her second novel, the author’s best friend and muse reappears in her life and threatens to reveal the dark secret behind the memoir’s provenance, sparking an incendiary tale of sex, lies and betrayal.
Ordered by streaming service Stan, “The Second” was produced by Leanne Tonkes and writer/producer Stephen Lance at Australian company Sense and Centsability and Dust Bunny Productions. Screen Queensland, Mind Blowing World, and The Post Lounge co-financed the film.
“The Second,” which marks the first Original feature ordered by streaming service Stan, stars Rachel Blake (“Sleeping Beauty”), Susie Porter (“Hounds of Love”) and Vince Colosimo (“Chopper”).
“The Second” follows a successful author riding high on the international acclaim of her first book, a sexually explicit autobiography. While preparing her second novel, the author’s best friend and muse reappears in her life and threatens to reveal the dark secret behind the memoir’s provenance, sparking an incendiary tale of sex, lies and betrayal.
Ordered by streaming service Stan, “The Second” was produced by Leanne Tonkes and writer/producer Stephen Lance at Australian company Sense and Centsability and Dust Bunny Productions. Screen Queensland, Mind Blowing World, and The Post Lounge co-financed the film.
- 4/23/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Rachael Blake and Mairi Cameron on the set of 'The Second'. (Photo: Stephen Lance.)
Production kicked off last week in south east Queensland on Stan.s first feature, The Second..
The psychological thriller, first announced early last year, is being directed by Mairi Cameron and produced by Leanne Tonkes and writer Stephen Lance. Tonkes and Lance have previously worked together on the 2014 feature My Mistress.
Shooting will take place in Brisbane and through the Western Downs region including Dalby.s Jimbour House, Jandowae and Lake Broadwater..
.Stephen Lance and I are delighted to be launching Mairi.s feature career and to be working with Amy Hobby and Anne Hubbell of Tangerine Entertainment — two wonderful advocates of female filmmakers," said Tonkes..
The Second.follows two female friends whose lives entwine in the pages of an elusive second novel. Cast includes Rachael Blake, Susie Porter, Vince Colosimo, Martin Sacks and Susan Prior.
Production kicked off last week in south east Queensland on Stan.s first feature, The Second..
The psychological thriller, first announced early last year, is being directed by Mairi Cameron and produced by Leanne Tonkes and writer Stephen Lance. Tonkes and Lance have previously worked together on the 2014 feature My Mistress.
Shooting will take place in Brisbane and through the Western Downs region including Dalby.s Jimbour House, Jandowae and Lake Broadwater..
.Stephen Lance and I are delighted to be launching Mairi.s feature career and to be working with Amy Hobby and Anne Hubbell of Tangerine Entertainment — two wonderful advocates of female filmmakers," said Tonkes..
The Second.follows two female friends whose lives entwine in the pages of an elusive second novel. Cast includes Rachael Blake, Susie Porter, Vince Colosimo, Martin Sacks and Susan Prior.
- 6/18/2017
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
Rachael Blake and Mairi Cameron on the set of "The Second. (Photo: Stephen Lance.)
Production kicked off last week in south east Queensland on Stan.s first feature, The Second..
The psychological thriller, first announced early last year, is being directed by Mairi Cameron and produced by Leanne Tonkes and writer Stephen Lance. Tonkes and Lance have previously worked together on the 2014 feature My Mistress.
Shooting will take place in Brisbane and through the Western Downs region including Dalby.s Jimbour House, Jandowae and Lake Broadwater..
.Stephen Lance and I are delighted to be launching Mairi.s feature career and to be working with Amy Hobby and Anne Hubbell of Tangerine Entertainment — two wonderful advocates of female filmmakers," said Tonkes..
The Second.follows two female friends whose lives entwine in the pages of an elusive second novel. Cast includes Rachael Blake, Susie Porter, Vince Colosimo, Martin Sacks and Susan Prior.
Production kicked off last week in south east Queensland on Stan.s first feature, The Second..
The psychological thriller, first announced early last year, is being directed by Mairi Cameron and produced by Leanne Tonkes and writer Stephen Lance. Tonkes and Lance have previously worked together on the 2014 feature My Mistress.
Shooting will take place in Brisbane and through the Western Downs region including Dalby.s Jimbour House, Jandowae and Lake Broadwater..
.Stephen Lance and I are delighted to be launching Mairi.s feature career and to be working with Amy Hobby and Anne Hubbell of Tangerine Entertainment — two wonderful advocates of female filmmakers," said Tonkes..
The Second.follows two female friends whose lives entwine in the pages of an elusive second novel. Cast includes Rachael Blake, Susie Porter, Vince Colosimo, Martin Sacks and Susan Prior.
- 6/18/2017
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
Following the film co-financing event Miff 37ºSouth Market, three local producers have been awarded places at the Production Finance Market (Pfm), held in London in October.
Miff 37ºSouth Market is the exclusive Australia/Nz partner of the Pfm, and the only three guaranteed local places are reserved for attending producers. The Pfm runs in association with the BFI London Film Festival.
New Zealand producer Tom Hern won one of the coveted places, as well as a $2000 flight voucher towards his trip. Victorians Pip Campey and Jamie Houge also received places.
Selection was guided by the votes the international financiers and buyers at Miff 37ºSouth Market.
The event, now its 10 year and the only Australian market of its kind held at a film festival, hosted 50 film financiers and buyers including film financiers/buyers including Amazon, Bankside, Catalyst, Double Dutch, eOne Australia, Embankment, Film Mode, Fulcrum, Im Global, Indie, Kaleidoscope, Lotus, Madman,...
Miff 37ºSouth Market is the exclusive Australia/Nz partner of the Pfm, and the only three guaranteed local places are reserved for attending producers. The Pfm runs in association with the BFI London Film Festival.
New Zealand producer Tom Hern won one of the coveted places, as well as a $2000 flight voucher towards his trip. Victorians Pip Campey and Jamie Houge also received places.
Selection was guided by the votes the international financiers and buyers at Miff 37ºSouth Market.
The event, now its 10 year and the only Australian market of its kind held at a film festival, hosted 50 film financiers and buyers including film financiers/buyers including Amazon, Bankside, Catalyst, Double Dutch, eOne Australia, Embankment, Film Mode, Fulcrum, Im Global, Indie, Kaleidoscope, Lotus, Madman,...
- 8/5/2016
- by By Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Leanne Tonkes..
The Victorian State Government has unveiled the recipients of two new fellowships designed to pave the way for more women in leadership positions within the screen industry.
Eleven women working across Victoria.s film, television and digital games sectors have been awarded Film Victoria fellowships totalling $186,000.
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said the government was taking a proactive approach to developing local talent and bolstering equality in the state.s creative industries.
.These dynamic women each have an impressive track record and strong leadership potential — I look forward to their growing contribution to the industry and to our creative state,. he said..
The Women in Games Fellowship and the Film Victoria-Natalie Miller Fellowship Women in Leadership Development Initiative (phew) aim to provide development opportunities for women to build their leadership skills and professional expertise.
The fellowships and bursaries, fully funded by Film Victoria, are tailored to...
The Victorian State Government has unveiled the recipients of two new fellowships designed to pave the way for more women in leadership positions within the screen industry.
Eleven women working across Victoria.s film, television and digital games sectors have been awarded Film Victoria fellowships totalling $186,000.
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said the government was taking a proactive approach to developing local talent and bolstering equality in the state.s creative industries.
.These dynamic women each have an impressive track record and strong leadership potential — I look forward to their growing contribution to the industry and to our creative state,. he said..
The Women in Games Fellowship and the Film Victoria-Natalie Miller Fellowship Women in Leadership Development Initiative (phew) aim to provide development opportunities for women to build their leadership skills and professional expertise.
The fellowships and bursaries, fully funded by Film Victoria, are tailored to...
- 6/30/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Delegates have been participating in producer collaboration sessions
Fourteen Australians from across the film and television industry have headed to Hollywood this week to participate in Ausfilm.s annual Partner with Australia Week. The selected delegation features Australian producers and creative teams who will be connected to 34 leading Us development companies and internet television networks such as HBO, Pacific Standard, Amazon, Voltage and Netflix. Attendees will engage in targeted 1-2-1 producer collaboration sessions over two days, providing opportunities for the group to showcase their slate of film and television projects and attract interest from Us film and television production companies. .The group is garnering excellent interest from our Us friends. There.s a diversity of feature and high-end TV drama projects which are very creative opportunities for development with Us partners. We.re two days in and there is great buzz from both sides of the table,. said Ausfilm CEO Debra Richards. The Ausfilm Partner with Australia program was established nine years ago to showcase Australia.s film and television producing talent and creative teams and to help them to foster international business relationships and partnerships with the aim to drive production and post-production to Australia. Australian attendees — Ausfilm Partner with Australia 2016:
Stephen Lance —. Antihero Films Sense Leanne Tonkes— Sense and Centsability Cecilia Ritchie and Polly Staniford — Aquarius Films Sarah Shaw and Anna McLeish — Carver Films Jodi Matterson— Wild Eddie Rosemary Blight —. Goalpost Pictures Jannine Barnes — Happening Films Lauren Elliott — Mad Kids Josh Tanner —. Perception Pictures Claudia Karvan —. Rhubarb Rhubarb Productions Anna Vincent —. Southern Light Alliance Kristian Moliere —. Triptych Pictures .
Fourteen Australians from across the film and television industry have headed to Hollywood this week to participate in Ausfilm.s annual Partner with Australia Week. The selected delegation features Australian producers and creative teams who will be connected to 34 leading Us development companies and internet television networks such as HBO, Pacific Standard, Amazon, Voltage and Netflix. Attendees will engage in targeted 1-2-1 producer collaboration sessions over two days, providing opportunities for the group to showcase their slate of film and television projects and attract interest from Us film and television production companies. .The group is garnering excellent interest from our Us friends. There.s a diversity of feature and high-end TV drama projects which are very creative opportunities for development with Us partners. We.re two days in and there is great buzz from both sides of the table,. said Ausfilm CEO Debra Richards. The Ausfilm Partner with Australia program was established nine years ago to showcase Australia.s film and television producing talent and creative teams and to help them to foster international business relationships and partnerships with the aim to drive production and post-production to Australia. Australian attendees — Ausfilm Partner with Australia 2016:
Stephen Lance —. Antihero Films Sense Leanne Tonkes— Sense and Centsability Cecilia Ritchie and Polly Staniford — Aquarius Films Sarah Shaw and Anna McLeish — Carver Films Jodi Matterson— Wild Eddie Rosemary Blight —. Goalpost Pictures Jannine Barnes — Happening Films Lauren Elliott — Mad Kids Josh Tanner —. Perception Pictures Claudia Karvan —. Rhubarb Rhubarb Productions Anna Vincent —. Southern Light Alliance Kristian Moliere —. Triptych Pictures .
- 6/16/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Stan is getting into the feature film game with The Second, a thriller fully funded to the tune of $1 million by Screen Queensland.
Directed by Mairi Cameron, the film will head to the streaming service after a theatrical run..
Stephen Lance wrote the script, about "two female friends whose lives entwine in the pages of an elusive second novel", and produces alongside Leanne Tonkes.
Lance and Tonkes previously worked together on the 2014 feature My Mistress.
.The success of No Activity and Wolf Creek have shown the audience demand for high quality Australian productions and we are excited to be working with the best creative talent in the country to bring more Stan Originals to the screen,. Stan.s Chief Content Officer Nick Forward said.
The project was developed as part of the Qld Originals Fully Funded Features with Stan initiative, in which four Queensland teams developed a feature project with...
Directed by Mairi Cameron, the film will head to the streaming service after a theatrical run..
Stephen Lance wrote the script, about "two female friends whose lives entwine in the pages of an elusive second novel", and produces alongside Leanne Tonkes.
Lance and Tonkes previously worked together on the 2014 feature My Mistress.
.The success of No Activity and Wolf Creek have shown the audience demand for high quality Australian productions and we are excited to be working with the best creative talent in the country to bring more Stan Originals to the screen,. Stan.s Chief Content Officer Nick Forward said.
The project was developed as part of the Qld Originals Fully Funded Features with Stan initiative, in which four Queensland teams developed a feature project with...
- 5/26/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Three local producers. have won places at the London Production Finance Market following the film co-financing event Miff 37ºSouth Market.
David Ngo from South Australia won the $2000 flight voucher and a place at Pfm, while Kristina Ceyton from New South Wales and Leanne Saunders from New Zealand also won place at the London event.
Selection for the three 37ºSouth places at Pfm was guided by the votes of international financiers/buyers at Miff 37ºSouth Market.
Thanks to long-time Miff 37ºSouth Market Gold Sponsor Film Finances, one of the three producers selected for the October Pfm received a flight voucher of $2000 towards their trip..
This year the market, held during Miff, hosted some 45 film financiers/buyers including 13 Films, Cornerstone, eOne Australia, Endgame, Fulcrum, Hyde Park, Loco, Memento, Metrodome, Radiant, Roadshow, Seville/eOne, Shoreline, Transmission, Visit, Wide and Xyz. .
A record 28 publishers registered for 37ºSouth.s Books at Miff, including Hachette, Hardie Grant,...
David Ngo from South Australia won the $2000 flight voucher and a place at Pfm, while Kristina Ceyton from New South Wales and Leanne Saunders from New Zealand also won place at the London event.
Selection for the three 37ºSouth places at Pfm was guided by the votes of international financiers/buyers at Miff 37ºSouth Market.
Thanks to long-time Miff 37ºSouth Market Gold Sponsor Film Finances, one of the three producers selected for the October Pfm received a flight voucher of $2000 towards their trip..
This year the market, held during Miff, hosted some 45 film financiers/buyers including 13 Films, Cornerstone, eOne Australia, Endgame, Fulcrum, Hyde Park, Loco, Memento, Metrodome, Radiant, Roadshow, Seville/eOne, Shoreline, Transmission, Visit, Wide and Xyz. .
A record 28 publishers registered for 37ºSouth.s Books at Miff, including Hachette, Hardie Grant,...
- 8/7/2015
- by Staff writer
- IF.com.au
The case for flexible release windows for Australian and other independent films has been reinforced by the weekend debuts of My Mistress and Rise. Transmission launched My Mistress, Stephen Lance.s debut feature about the affair between a vulnerable teenager (Harrison Gilbertson) and a French S&M mistress (Emmanuelle Béart), grossing $8,029 at seven Palace locations and $1,329 from the Canberra International Film Festival. Including receipts from Melbourne International Film Festival, the total is $19,020. .My Mistress is a brave debut feature which has sold well internationally to a number of key territories including the Us, UK, Russia, Hong Kong and Japan (somewhat of a coup for an Australian film),. producer Leanne Tonkes tells If. .We had our world premiere at Miff where screenings were sold out. It is a well-known fact that distributing independent films is challenging - getting the word out about a film's screening schedule and creating a groundswell to...
- 11/10/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Producer Annie Kinnane expresses a common complaint in the industry: Often by the time she and her friends hear about a new Australian film it.s been yanked off screens before they had a chance to see it.
Instead of just griping, she.s doing her bit to increase awareness by launching a Facebook page this week, entitled Australian Films You Will Want to See.
She.s encouraging her Fb friends and the wider industry to post an item as soon as they.ve seen a film they can recommend.
That initiative is in a similar vein to When Did You Last Pay to See an Australian Film at the Cinema?, a Fb page created earlier this month by My Mistress producer Leanne Tonkes.
Tonkes is asking her industry peers to nominate the last Aussie film they paid to see, as opposed to freebie previews, Aacta, funding body or post house screenings,...
Instead of just griping, she.s doing her bit to increase awareness by launching a Facebook page this week, entitled Australian Films You Will Want to See.
She.s encouraging her Fb friends and the wider industry to post an item as soon as they.ve seen a film they can recommend.
That initiative is in a similar vein to When Did You Last Pay to See an Australian Film at the Cinema?, a Fb page created earlier this month by My Mistress producer Leanne Tonkes.
Tonkes is asking her industry peers to nominate the last Aussie film they paid to see, as opposed to freebie previews, Aacta, funding body or post house screenings,...
- 10/22/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Producer Annie Kinnane expresses a common complaint in the industry: Often by the time she and her friends hear about a new Australian film it.s been yanked off screens before they had a chance to see it.
Instead of just griping, she.s doing her bit to increase awareness by launching a Facebook page this week, entitled Australian Films You Will Want to See.
She.s encouraging her Fb friends and the wider industry to post an item as soon as they.ve seen a film they can recommend.
That initiative is not unlike When Did You Last Pay to See an Australian Film at the Cinema?, a Fb page created earlier this month by My Mistress producer Leanne Tonkes.
Tonkes is asking her industry peers to nominate the last Aussie film they paid to see, as opposed to freebie previews, Aacta, funding body or post house screenings, and...
Instead of just griping, she.s doing her bit to increase awareness by launching a Facebook page this week, entitled Australian Films You Will Want to See.
She.s encouraging her Fb friends and the wider industry to post an item as soon as they.ve seen a film they can recommend.
That initiative is not unlike When Did You Last Pay to See an Australian Film at the Cinema?, a Fb page created earlier this month by My Mistress producer Leanne Tonkes.
Tonkes is asking her industry peers to nominate the last Aussie film they paid to see, as opposed to freebie previews, Aacta, funding body or post house screenings, and...
- 10/22/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Film Movement has bought North American rights to My Mistress, Stephen Lance.s erotic drama about the affair between a vulnerable teenager. (Harrison Gilbertson) and a French S&M mistress (Emmanuelle Béart).
By If.s reckoning at least 27 Australian titles have secured Us distribution deals this year. Most are getting limited theatrical releases as a platform for home entertainment exposure.
Film Movement will release the film on DVD and VOD, including via its subscription streaming service dubbed Film-of-the-Month Club.
The deal was negotiated by international sales agent LevelK, which had already sold the film to Japan (New Select), the UK ( Film House), Russia (Russian Report) and Hong Kong (Sundream Motion Pictures).
LevelK.s Tine Klint is screening the film this week at the Busan International Film Festival in Korea and hopes to close more deals. Produced by Leanne Tonkes and Steve Kearney, the film opens in Australia on November 6 via Transmission.
By If.s reckoning at least 27 Australian titles have secured Us distribution deals this year. Most are getting limited theatrical releases as a platform for home entertainment exposure.
Film Movement will release the film on DVD and VOD, including via its subscription streaming service dubbed Film-of-the-Month Club.
The deal was negotiated by international sales agent LevelK, which had already sold the film to Japan (New Select), the UK ( Film House), Russia (Russian Report) and Hong Kong (Sundream Motion Pictures).
LevelK.s Tine Klint is screening the film this week at the Busan International Film Festival in Korea and hopes to close more deals. Produced by Leanne Tonkes and Steve Kearney, the film opens in Australia on November 6 via Transmission.
- 10/6/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Josh Lawson.s sex comedy The Little Death has raked in nearly $127,000 in its first week at 34 cinemas after Tuesday takings improved on Monday.s figures.
Jamie Hilton, who produced the low-budget film with Matt Reeder and Michael Petroni, is encouraged by the trend in ticket sales and hopes momentum will build over the long weekend.
.We are alive and kicking, contrary to sensational reports in the mainstream press,. he told If today. .Our tiny, self-financed film was one of the break-out hits of the Toronto International Film Festival and audiences around the world will see it..
Lawson has been inundated with favourable comments from those who.ve seen the comedy, which features Bojana Novakovic, Damon Herriman, Kate Mulvany, Lisa McCune, Patrick Brammall, Lachy Hulme and Lawson.
.We.re just a little independent Aussie film, we can.t afford billboards or TV ads or anything like that,. he said on his Facebook page.
Jamie Hilton, who produced the low-budget film with Matt Reeder and Michael Petroni, is encouraged by the trend in ticket sales and hopes momentum will build over the long weekend.
.We are alive and kicking, contrary to sensational reports in the mainstream press,. he told If today. .Our tiny, self-financed film was one of the break-out hits of the Toronto International Film Festival and audiences around the world will see it..
Lawson has been inundated with favourable comments from those who.ve seen the comedy, which features Bojana Novakovic, Damon Herriman, Kate Mulvany, Lisa McCune, Patrick Brammall, Lachy Hulme and Lawson.
.We.re just a little independent Aussie film, we can.t afford billboards or TV ads or anything like that,. he said on his Facebook page.
- 10/2/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
A scene from winning film Paper Planes..
.
Robert Connolly.s family feature Paper Planes has taken out Australia.s richest film prize of $100,000 at the seventh annual CinéfestOZ Film Festival on Saturday night..
Paper Planes follows 11-year old Dylan (Ed Oxenbould) whose life changes after winning a place in the regional paper planes competition in Sydney. This achievement takes him far from his country home and depressed father (Sam Worthington), all the way to the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan.
The film beat out five other contenders; Matt Saville.s Felony, Stephen Lance.s My Mistress, Julius Avery.s Son of a Gun, John V Soto.s The Reckoning and Russell Vines. documentary The Waler . Australia.s Great War Horse. (All finalist synopses listed below).
.I.m so, so happy,. Connolly said of his win. .I.m really excited because we are planning for a Christmas/January release and...
.
Robert Connolly.s family feature Paper Planes has taken out Australia.s richest film prize of $100,000 at the seventh annual CinéfestOZ Film Festival on Saturday night..
Paper Planes follows 11-year old Dylan (Ed Oxenbould) whose life changes after winning a place in the regional paper planes competition in Sydney. This achievement takes him far from his country home and depressed father (Sam Worthington), all the way to the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan.
The film beat out five other contenders; Matt Saville.s Felony, Stephen Lance.s My Mistress, Julius Avery.s Son of a Gun, John V Soto.s The Reckoning and Russell Vines. documentary The Waler . Australia.s Great War Horse. (All finalist synopses listed below).
.I.m so, so happy,. Connolly said of his win. .I.m really excited because we are planning for a Christmas/January release and...
- 8/23/2014
- by Emily Blatchford
- IF.com.au
Matt Saville.s Felony, Julius Avery.s Son of a Gun, Robert Connolly.s Paper Planes and John V. Soto.s The Reckoning are among the six finalists for CinéfestOZ.s inaugural $100,000 film prize, Australia.s richest.
The other two are Stephen Lance.s My Mistress and a potential wildcard, The Waler: Australia.s Great War Horse, Russell Vines. ScreenWest-funded documentary on the 135,000-plus horses sent from Australia to the Middle East in WW1.
There were more than 20 submissions for the prize, which is voted on by a jury of five headed by director Bruce Beresford and will be announced on August 23.
The Waler: Australia.s Great War Horse will have its world premiere at CinéfestOZ while Son of a Gun and The Reckoning will have their Australian premieres. Felony, My Mistress and Paper Planes are premiering at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
.When we introduced this prize we anticipated...
The other two are Stephen Lance.s My Mistress and a potential wildcard, The Waler: Australia.s Great War Horse, Russell Vines. ScreenWest-funded documentary on the 135,000-plus horses sent from Australia to the Middle East in WW1.
There were more than 20 submissions for the prize, which is voted on by a jury of five headed by director Bruce Beresford and will be announced on August 23.
The Waler: Australia.s Great War Horse will have its world premiere at CinéfestOZ while Son of a Gun and The Reckoning will have their Australian premieres. Felony, My Mistress and Paper Planes are premiering at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
.When we introduced this prize we anticipated...
- 7/13/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Multi-platform projects from Ludo Studio and Hoodlum were among nine to receive funding from Screen Australia this week.
Fresh from winning a Digital Emmy® for #7 Days Later, Ludo Studio is producing Doodles, an animated comedy series which takes drawings sourced via social media and turns them into micro-movies with a touch of insanity. Daley Pearson is the director and the producers are Nick Boshier and Charlie Aspinwall. Another digital Emmy winner, Hoodlum (Secrets & Lies, The Stranger Calls) is collaborating with filmmakers Michael Cox and Paul Mayze on Illusion Five Sweeper Squad, a sci-fi comedy series about a dysfunctional team of cleaners tasked with mopping up after the super heroes.
Multiplattform comedy series Four Quarters tells the fictional story of a group of footy fans during the current, real-time Afl season, produced by Wbmc.s Aidan O.Bryan and Janelle Landers.
Katering is a parody of popular cooking shows written and...
Fresh from winning a Digital Emmy® for #7 Days Later, Ludo Studio is producing Doodles, an animated comedy series which takes drawings sourced via social media and turns them into micro-movies with a touch of insanity. Daley Pearson is the director and the producers are Nick Boshier and Charlie Aspinwall. Another digital Emmy winner, Hoodlum (Secrets & Lies, The Stranger Calls) is collaborating with filmmakers Michael Cox and Paul Mayze on Illusion Five Sweeper Squad, a sci-fi comedy series about a dysfunctional team of cleaners tasked with mopping up after the super heroes.
Multiplattform comedy series Four Quarters tells the fictional story of a group of footy fans during the current, real-time Afl season, produced by Wbmc.s Aidan O.Bryan and Janelle Landers.
Katering is a parody of popular cooking shows written and...
- 5/29/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Historically it.s been tough for Australian films to score deals in Japan, a barrier which My Mistress has just broken.
The debut feature of commercials and video music director Stephen Lance will be released in Japan by New Select.
The steamy drama , which centres on the strangely innocent affair between a vulnerable teenage romantic (Harrison Gilbertson) and a French S&M mistress (Emmanuelle Béart) which turns dangerous, will have its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
The Japanese deal was confirmed after the Cannes market by international sales agent LevelK, which also sold the film to the UK, Russia and Hong Kong.
.We were happy to find the buyers responding well in Cannes to Stephen Lance' s much awaited My Mistress, particularly from Asian buyers who have shown overwhelming interest,. LevelK head of sales Natja Rosner tells If.
.Major territory Japan kicked off proceedings with a signed deal in Cannes.
The debut feature of commercials and video music director Stephen Lance will be released in Japan by New Select.
The steamy drama , which centres on the strangely innocent affair between a vulnerable teenage romantic (Harrison Gilbertson) and a French S&M mistress (Emmanuelle Béart) which turns dangerous, will have its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
The Japanese deal was confirmed after the Cannes market by international sales agent LevelK, which also sold the film to the UK, Russia and Hong Kong.
.We were happy to find the buyers responding well in Cannes to Stephen Lance' s much awaited My Mistress, particularly from Asian buyers who have shown overwhelming interest,. LevelK head of sales Natja Rosner tells If.
.Major territory Japan kicked off proceedings with a signed deal in Cannes.
- 5/28/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Erotic drama sells to UK and Russia.
Danish sales company LevelK’s Aussie erotic drama My Mistress starring Emmanuelle Beart has been sold to the UK (House), Russia (Russian Report) and Hong Kong (Sundream Motion Pictures).
The Australian-produced film will receive its world premiere at the Melbourne Festival in August. Transmission are releasing in Australia this autumn.
My Mistress is the story of an affair between a vulnerable teenage romantic and a French S&M mistress that soon moves into more dangerous territory. Beart stars alongside Australian actor Harrison Gilbertson and Rachael Blake.
Directed by Stephen Lance, the film was made through Mini Studios and was produced by Leanne Tonkes. The executive producers are Robyn Kershaw and Bruno Charlesworth.
Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Film Victoria, Miff Premiere Fund and Soundfirm provide the financing and the Australian release will be handled by Transmission.
Danish sales company LevelK’s Aussie erotic drama My Mistress starring Emmanuelle Beart has been sold to the UK (House), Russia (Russian Report) and Hong Kong (Sundream Motion Pictures).
The Australian-produced film will receive its world premiere at the Melbourne Festival in August. Transmission are releasing in Australia this autumn.
My Mistress is the story of an affair between a vulnerable teenage romantic and a French S&M mistress that soon moves into more dangerous territory. Beart stars alongside Australian actor Harrison Gilbertson and Rachael Blake.
Directed by Stephen Lance, the film was made through Mini Studios and was produced by Leanne Tonkes. The executive producers are Robyn Kershaw and Bruno Charlesworth.
Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, Film Victoria, Miff Premiere Fund and Soundfirm provide the financing and the Australian release will be handled by Transmission.
- 5/19/2014
- by geoffrey@macnab.demon.co.uk (Geoffrey Macnab)
- ScreenDaily
Co-directors Stephen Lance and Mairi Cameron are just back after spending 10 days in the Us polishing the screenplay of The Secrets Lives of Dresses with the Brooklyn-based writer, Aussie Emma Vuletic.
Lance and Cameron also spent a few days in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to soak up the atmosphere in the town where the source material, Erin McKean.s novel, is set.
Producer Leanne Tonkes and Lance are exploring the idea of co-producing the film with heavyweight Us producer Grant Curtis, who produced all three Spider-Man movies and executive-produced Sam Raimi's Oz the Great and Powerful. Curtis and his producing partner Jeremy Wheeler wanted to buy the film rights and contacted Tonkes and Lance after discovering they optioned the novel in 2011.
Tonkes and Lance tell If they will .aim high. in casting the lead roles but will ensure there is significant Australian content to qualify for the 40% producer offset.
The protagonist is Dora,...
Lance and Cameron also spent a few days in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to soak up the atmosphere in the town where the source material, Erin McKean.s novel, is set.
Producer Leanne Tonkes and Lance are exploring the idea of co-producing the film with heavyweight Us producer Grant Curtis, who produced all three Spider-Man movies and executive-produced Sam Raimi's Oz the Great and Powerful. Curtis and his producing partner Jeremy Wheeler wanted to buy the film rights and contacted Tonkes and Lance after discovering they optioned the novel in 2011.
Tonkes and Lance tell If they will .aim high. in casting the lead roles but will ensure there is significant Australian content to qualify for the 40% producer offset.
The protagonist is Dora,...
- 12/20/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Two music-themed films and a love story from The Rocket director Kim Mordaunt are among the 15 features to secure new development money from Screen Australia.
The Musician, produced by Brian Rosen and Su Armstrong, is about how Richard Goldner, a violinist who arrived in Australia from Vienna as a refugee, set up Musica Viva, one of the largest presenters of chamber music in the world.
Clara, which is being developed by producer Sue Maslin and writer/director Jocelyn Moorhouse, tells of the deep bonds between Clara Schumann, one of the foremost classical pianists of the Romantic era, her husband, the composer Richard Schumann, and their protégé Johannes Brahams – and that included a love triangle.
“Jocelyn has wanted to tell this story for years,” Maslin told ScreenDaily, adding that the film is set in Austria and Germany.
“It is a very international film, with great music and a story that’s little known.”
Maslin and Moorhouse...
The Musician, produced by Brian Rosen and Su Armstrong, is about how Richard Goldner, a violinist who arrived in Australia from Vienna as a refugee, set up Musica Viva, one of the largest presenters of chamber music in the world.
Clara, which is being developed by producer Sue Maslin and writer/director Jocelyn Moorhouse, tells of the deep bonds between Clara Schumann, one of the foremost classical pianists of the Romantic era, her husband, the composer Richard Schumann, and their protégé Johannes Brahams – and that included a love triangle.
“Jocelyn has wanted to tell this story for years,” Maslin told ScreenDaily, adding that the film is set in Austria and Germany.
“It is a very international film, with great music and a story that’s little known.”
Maslin and Moorhouse...
- 12/12/2013
- by Sandy.George@me.com (Sandy George)
- ScreenDaily
A new project from the producer of Whale Rider, an adaptation of a Us book and a Chinese-Australian co-production are to be pitched in the UK after being selected by Melbourne’s 37º South Market.
The three films will be pitched at the UK’s Production Finance Market (Pfm) in October following a positive response at the seventh edition of 37º South, which runs as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival.
New Zealand producer Tim Sanders is to pitch The Guinea Pig Club at Pfm and received $1,850 (A$2,000) from sponsor Film Finances to help cover expenses.
After learning he would be heading to London for Pfm (Oct 16-17), Sanders told ScreenDaily: “It is the story of a Kiwi surgeon called Archie McIndoe who restored the bodies of badly injured fighter pilots in World War II and also gave them the will to live and hope for the future.
The producer of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring and Whale...
The three films will be pitched at the UK’s Production Finance Market (Pfm) in October following a positive response at the seventh edition of 37º South, which runs as part of the Melbourne International Film Festival.
New Zealand producer Tim Sanders is to pitch The Guinea Pig Club at Pfm and received $1,850 (A$2,000) from sponsor Film Finances to help cover expenses.
After learning he would be heading to London for Pfm (Oct 16-17), Sanders told ScreenDaily: “It is the story of a Kiwi surgeon called Archie McIndoe who restored the bodies of badly injured fighter pilots in World War II and also gave them the will to live and hope for the future.
The producer of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring and Whale...
- 7/29/2013
- by Sandy.George@me.com (Sandy George)
- ScreenDaily
Screen Australia says it has not mismanaged its finances by spending its annual production funding in just six months - a state of affairs which it says reflects the strength of the local film industry.
The government screen agency revealed in mid-December 2012 that it had spent its entire annual $42 million drama production allocation due to the unprecedented number of quality feature film and television projects seeking support. The shock announcement was reminiscent of the agency's abrupt decision to cut its investment cap in 2009 while several films were mid-financed. That decision.threw several major Australian productions into dissaray including The Tree and the biggest box office hit of.2010, Tomorrow When the War Began (Omnilab Media had to increase its investment at the last minute to ensure production).
Overspending on such a scale has never occurred before, even going back to the era of Screen Australia.s predecessor funding arm, the Film Finance Corporation.
The government screen agency revealed in mid-December 2012 that it had spent its entire annual $42 million drama production allocation due to the unprecedented number of quality feature film and television projects seeking support. The shock announcement was reminiscent of the agency's abrupt decision to cut its investment cap in 2009 while several films were mid-financed. That decision.threw several major Australian productions into dissaray including The Tree and the biggest box office hit of.2010, Tomorrow When the War Began (Omnilab Media had to increase its investment at the last minute to ensure production).
Overspending on such a scale has never occurred before, even going back to the era of Screen Australia.s predecessor funding arm, the Film Finance Corporation.
- 2/6/2013
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Sydney -- French actress Emmanuelle Béart (A Heart in Winter, Nathalie) will play a French S&M mistress opposite young Australian actor Harrison Gilbertson (Haunt, Beneath Hill 60 and Conspiracy 365) and Rachael Blake in Stephen Lance’s debut feature, My Mistress. The story, developed by Lance and written by Gerard Lee – Jane Campion’s co-writer on her upcoming TV series Top Of The Lake -- follows a beautiful and strangely innocent affair between a vulnerable teenage romantic and a French S&M mistress, which ultimately turns dangerous. Leanne Tonkes of Mini Studios and Steve Kearney will produce the contemporary drama. Robyn Kershaw (Bran
read more...
read more...
- 1/10/2013
- by Pip Bulbeck
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
French actress Emmanuelle Béart has been added to the cast of Australian film My Mistress alongside Harrison Gilbertson and Rachael Blake ahead of shooting later this month on the Gold Coast.
The film received Screen Australia funding in November. It’s directed by Stephen Lance and written by Top of the Lake’s Gerard Lee with production by Bran Nue Dae’s Robyn Kershaw and distributed by Transmission Films.
The announcement:
Internationally acclaimed French actress Emmanuelle Béart (A Heart in Winter, Nathalie, Manon of the Spring, Mission: Impossible) will join one of Australia’s rising international stars, AFI Award‐winning Harrison Gilbertson (U.S. independent film Haunt – in the title role opposite Jacki Weaver, Accidents Happen, Blessed, Beneath Hill 60, Conspiracy 365) and AFI Award‐winning actress Rachael Blake (Sleeping Beauty, Lantana, Hawke) in the seductive and touching new film My Mistress.
What starts as a beautiful and strangely innocent...
The film received Screen Australia funding in November. It’s directed by Stephen Lance and written by Top of the Lake’s Gerard Lee with production by Bran Nue Dae’s Robyn Kershaw and distributed by Transmission Films.
The announcement:
Internationally acclaimed French actress Emmanuelle Béart (A Heart in Winter, Nathalie, Manon of the Spring, Mission: Impossible) will join one of Australia’s rising international stars, AFI Award‐winning Harrison Gilbertson (U.S. independent film Haunt – in the title role opposite Jacki Weaver, Accidents Happen, Blessed, Beneath Hill 60, Conspiracy 365) and AFI Award‐winning actress Rachael Blake (Sleeping Beauty, Lantana, Hawke) in the seductive and touching new film My Mistress.
What starts as a beautiful and strangely innocent...
- 1/10/2013
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Actor/director Leah Purcell added to writing team for Redfern Now series two
Screen Australia is to fund a second series of gritty indigenous drama Redfern Now as part of a $5.5m funding round.
The public funding body has also announced that it is to invest in feature films Son of a Gun - by Julius Avery and starring Ewan McGregor – and My Mistress, to be produced Leanne Tonkes, directed Stephen Lance and written by Gerard Lee.
Joining Redfern Now’s writing team of last year; Jon Bell, Steven McGregor and Adrian Wills, is first series directors Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell.
The series, made up of six standalone episodes, is produced by Darren Dale and Miranda Dear for Blackfella Films. Redfern Now debuted on ABC1 on Thursday 1 November rating 721,000.
Jimmy McGovern, creator of the UK’s Cracker and The Street will again lead the development process of the series.
Screen Australia is to fund a second series of gritty indigenous drama Redfern Now as part of a $5.5m funding round.
The public funding body has also announced that it is to invest in feature films Son of a Gun - by Julius Avery and starring Ewan McGregor – and My Mistress, to be produced Leanne Tonkes, directed Stephen Lance and written by Gerard Lee.
Joining Redfern Now’s writing team of last year; Jon Bell, Steven McGregor and Adrian Wills, is first series directors Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell.
The series, made up of six standalone episodes, is produced by Darren Dale and Miranda Dear for Blackfella Films. Redfern Now debuted on ABC1 on Thursday 1 November rating 721,000.
Jimmy McGovern, creator of the UK’s Cracker and The Street will again lead the development process of the series.
- 11/12/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia has invested almost $5.5 million in two feature films, My Mistress and Son of a Gun, as well as a second series of indigenous TV program Redfern Now.
The second, six-part series of Redfern Now will once again tell the stories of six indigenous families whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident. Acclaimed writer Jimmy McGovern (The Street, Cracker) will take Redfern Now writers Steven McGregor, Adrian Wills and Jon Bell, as well as new writers Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell, through an intense development process. The series will be produced by Blackfella Films. Darren Dale and Miranda Dear.
.Redfern Now is one of several partnerships between ABC TV and Screen Australia.s Indigenous department and I.m very proud of the work we.re achieving together,. said Screen Australia.s chief executive Ruth Harley in a statement. .This is compelling television drama at its very best,...
The second, six-part series of Redfern Now will once again tell the stories of six indigenous families whose lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant incident. Acclaimed writer Jimmy McGovern (The Street, Cracker) will take Redfern Now writers Steven McGregor, Adrian Wills and Jon Bell, as well as new writers Wayne Blair and Leah Purcell, through an intense development process. The series will be produced by Blackfella Films. Darren Dale and Miranda Dear.
.Redfern Now is one of several partnerships between ABC TV and Screen Australia.s Indigenous department and I.m very proud of the work we.re achieving together,. said Screen Australia.s chief executive Ruth Harley in a statement. .This is compelling television drama at its very best,...
- 11/12/2012
- by Staff Reporter
- IF.com.au
Ausfilm, the Australian organisation aimed to entice international productions to Australia and promote Australian film-makers abroad, is preparing for Ausfilm Week, beginning Wednesday, in Los Angeles.
The organisation has also announced the 17 Australian producers attending one-on-one meetings with Us producers and studios.
The announcement:
Ausfilm, together with representatives of the Australian film industry will converge in Los Angeles from 24-31 October for Ausfilm Week 2012. Ausfilm Week aims to create, build upon and develop international relationships between Ausfilm members and Australian producers with key clients in La to encourage international production to Australia.
Ausfilm Week Los Angeles 2012 will comprise a series of interactive panel sessions highlighting Australia’s production incentives schemes, post production and filmmaking talent, networking experiences, producer collaboration meetings and learning opportunities between the Australian and Us film industries to encourage access to Australia’s Screen Production Incentives. These incentives available include the 40% Producer Offset, 30% Post, Digital and Visual Effects incentive and 16.5% Locations incentive.
The organisation has also announced the 17 Australian producers attending one-on-one meetings with Us producers and studios.
The announcement:
Ausfilm, together with representatives of the Australian film industry will converge in Los Angeles from 24-31 October for Ausfilm Week 2012. Ausfilm Week aims to create, build upon and develop international relationships between Ausfilm members and Australian producers with key clients in La to encourage international production to Australia.
Ausfilm Week Los Angeles 2012 will comprise a series of interactive panel sessions highlighting Australia’s production incentives schemes, post production and filmmaking talent, networking experiences, producer collaboration meetings and learning opportunities between the Australian and Us film industries to encourage access to Australia’s Screen Production Incentives. These incentives available include the 40% Producer Offset, 30% Post, Digital and Visual Effects incentive and 16.5% Locations incentive.
- 10/22/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Producer Bec Dakin, scriptwriter Karl Mather and direct Zenon Kohler have won the Chauvel Award script adaptation as part of the Brisbane International Film Festival.
The competition, worth $40,000, aims to encourage the work of producers and writers at an early stage in a project’s life.
Dakin, Mather and Kohler have won for the adaptation of the John Birmingham novel, the Tasmanian Babes Fiasco.
The support will also see the team work closely with Screen Queensland.
Tasmanian Babes Fiasco is about a house full of misfits and a catastrophic week of adventure. It is the sequel to He Died with a Felafel in his Hand which was adapted in 2001 by Richard Lowenstein and starred Noah Taylor and Sophie Lee.
Receiving $25,000 is Brisbane scriptwriter Vicki Englund as development support of the adaptation of Painted Love Letters, based on the young adult fiction by Catherine Bateson.
Stephen Lance, Mairi Cameron and Leanne Tonkes...
The competition, worth $40,000, aims to encourage the work of producers and writers at an early stage in a project’s life.
Dakin, Mather and Kohler have won for the adaptation of the John Birmingham novel, the Tasmanian Babes Fiasco.
The support will also see the team work closely with Screen Queensland.
Tasmanian Babes Fiasco is about a house full of misfits and a catastrophic week of adventure. It is the sequel to He Died with a Felafel in his Hand which was adapted in 2001 by Richard Lowenstein and starred Noah Taylor and Sophie Lee.
Receiving $25,000 is Brisbane scriptwriter Vicki Englund as development support of the adaptation of Painted Love Letters, based on the young adult fiction by Catherine Bateson.
Stephen Lance, Mairi Cameron and Leanne Tonkes...
- 12/2/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Seventeen feature films have received support for development by Screen Australia, with a spend totalling $500,000.
The productions include projects involving Emile Sherman, Johnathan Teplitzky, Helen Pankhurst and Jan Sardi.
Martha Coleman, Screen Australia’s head of development, said: “I’m proud of our association with this compelling group of feature projects by such talented filmmaking teams. The quality and range of projects we are seeing is hugely inspiring and our development team care passionately about assisting the filmmakers we are working with to achieve the best possible version of their story. This is a very exciting time.”
Projects include:
Tim Winton’s best selling surfing story, Breath will get an adaptation by Simon Baker producing with Jamie Hilton and Mark Johnson and written by Peter Duncan. Four comedies have received funding including Ali’s Wedding, written by Osamah Sami and Andrew Knight will be developed by producers Helen Panckhurst, Michael McMahon...
The productions include projects involving Emile Sherman, Johnathan Teplitzky, Helen Pankhurst and Jan Sardi.
Martha Coleman, Screen Australia’s head of development, said: “I’m proud of our association with this compelling group of feature projects by such talented filmmaking teams. The quality and range of projects we are seeing is hugely inspiring and our development team care passionately about assisting the filmmakers we are working with to achieve the best possible version of their story. This is a very exciting time.”
Projects include:
Tim Winton’s best selling surfing story, Breath will get an adaptation by Simon Baker producing with Jamie Hilton and Mark Johnson and written by Peter Duncan. Four comedies have received funding including Ali’s Wedding, written by Osamah Sami and Andrew Knight will be developed by producers Helen Panckhurst, Michael McMahon...
- 10/14/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Seven film projects have been selected to be put in the shop window at this year’s Screen Producers Association of Australia conference.
SPAAmart, which runs alongside the Spaa conference features projects which are in an advanced state of production.
The criteria for being featured is that they are “well developed, distinctive, fresh and with the potential to be highly attractive to their intended audiences.”
The conference takes place in Sydney from November 13 to 16.
The seven selected projects are:
The Room Producer Matt Carroll; Directors Ian Watson and Andrew Hellen My Mistress Producer Leanne Tonkes; Director Stephen Lance Uno Producer Stuart Scowcroft; Director Giotto Barbieri Wake Up Dead Producers Joel Cohn and Josh Butt; Director Joel Cohen Red Car Producer Tony Leach; Director Paul Elliott Boys Club Producers Karin Altmann and Sue Maslin; Director Marcus Cole Alex And Eve Producer Murray Fahey; Director Peter Andrikidis
SPAAmart director Julie Marlow said:...
SPAAmart, which runs alongside the Spaa conference features projects which are in an advanced state of production.
The criteria for being featured is that they are “well developed, distinctive, fresh and with the potential to be highly attractive to their intended audiences.”
The conference takes place in Sydney from November 13 to 16.
The seven selected projects are:
The Room Producer Matt Carroll; Directors Ian Watson and Andrew Hellen My Mistress Producer Leanne Tonkes; Director Stephen Lance Uno Producer Stuart Scowcroft; Director Giotto Barbieri Wake Up Dead Producers Joel Cohn and Josh Butt; Director Joel Cohen Red Car Producer Tony Leach; Director Paul Elliott Boys Club Producers Karin Altmann and Sue Maslin; Director Marcus Cole Alex And Eve Producer Murray Fahey; Director Peter Andrikidis
SPAAmart director Julie Marlow said:...
- 10/5/2011
- by Tim Burrowes
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia is calling on applications for their Springboard: Short Film Initiative.
The short film development and production opportunity is designed to help filmmaking teams one step away from making their first professional feature film.
A three part workshop to take place between December 2011 and February 2012, it will see five teams of writer, director and producer, develop a short film to be a talent showcase for festivals and act as a calling card for a proposed feature film. As such, teams will be required to submit two short film ideas as well as their feature film idea.
“Springboard is about career building for the long term and Screen Australia recognises the way short films can provide an essential stepping stone in a professional career for an emerging filmmaker,” said Head of Development, Martha Coleman. “This Springboard workshop maintains the strategic vision while focusing more acutely on the broader creative process...
The short film development and production opportunity is designed to help filmmaking teams one step away from making their first professional feature film.
A three part workshop to take place between December 2011 and February 2012, it will see five teams of writer, director and producer, develop a short film to be a talent showcase for festivals and act as a calling card for a proposed feature film. As such, teams will be required to submit two short film ideas as well as their feature film idea.
“Springboard is about career building for the long term and Screen Australia recognises the way short films can provide an essential stepping stone in a professional career for an emerging filmmaker,” said Head of Development, Martha Coleman. “This Springboard workshop maintains the strategic vision while focusing more acutely on the broader creative process...
- 9/20/2011
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Screen Australia has invested on the development of features Remarkable Creatures (written by Jan Sardi), A Murder of Crows, Black Echoes, Sibling and Worms.
The investment round includes three short films from the Springboard Program, meant to act as ‘calling cards’ to feature film proposals.
The features in development are:
Black Echoes
Producers Michael Robertson, Murray Pope
Writers Shayne Armstrong, Shane Krause
A group of international tourists are taken off the beaten path to an isolated village deep in the Vietnamese countryside. They are promised a Viet Cong tunnel crawl experience that makes the famous Cu Chi Tunnels seem like a playground… Tighter, more claustrophobic, scarier – they get their money’s worth and then some.
A Murder of Crows
Producers Murray Pope, Michael Robertson
Writers Shayne Armstrong, Shane Krause
Director Nick Robertson
Lost love brought him there, cold-blooded murder kept him there, now dark vengeance takes flight.
Remarkable Creatures
Producer...
The investment round includes three short films from the Springboard Program, meant to act as ‘calling cards’ to feature film proposals.
The features in development are:
Black Echoes
Producers Michael Robertson, Murray Pope
Writers Shayne Armstrong, Shane Krause
A group of international tourists are taken off the beaten path to an isolated village deep in the Vietnamese countryside. They are promised a Viet Cong tunnel crawl experience that makes the famous Cu Chi Tunnels seem like a playground… Tighter, more claustrophobic, scarier – they get their money’s worth and then some.
A Murder of Crows
Producers Murray Pope, Michael Robertson
Writers Shayne Armstrong, Shane Krause
Director Nick Robertson
Lost love brought him there, cold-blooded murder kept him there, now dark vengeance takes flight.
Remarkable Creatures
Producer...
- 3/25/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.