Bye-bye Bunya
Australian TV producer Bunya Entertainment says that Sophia Zachariou will step down as co-managing director, after a five-year stint. Bunya Entertainment is one part the Bunya Group of companies and was established by Zachariou, David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin in 2019.
Zachariou is currently in post-production on “The Office” (Amazon) and “Ladies in Black” (ABC) and will deliver these series before she departs the company. Other productions from Bunya Entertainment include the six x half-hour sketch comedy series “The Moth Effect” (Amazon) and the comedy series “Nice Shorts.”
In 2020 Zachariou also created the Bunya Talent Indigenous Hub, in partnership with Netflix and Screen Australia, which funded and developed 10 First Nations writers and directors to further develop their TV projects. The Hub was later extended to include a partnership with Safc, Screen Nt and Screen Nsw.
Jowsey and Simpkin will continue as co-MDs of Bunya Entertainment. The separate Bunya Group entities,...
Australian TV producer Bunya Entertainment says that Sophia Zachariou will step down as co-managing director, after a five-year stint. Bunya Entertainment is one part the Bunya Group of companies and was established by Zachariou, David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin in 2019.
Zachariou is currently in post-production on “The Office” (Amazon) and “Ladies in Black” (ABC) and will deliver these series before she departs the company. Other productions from Bunya Entertainment include the six x half-hour sketch comedy series “The Moth Effect” (Amazon) and the comedy series “Nice Shorts.”
In 2020 Zachariou also created the Bunya Talent Indigenous Hub, in partnership with Netflix and Screen Australia, which funded and developed 10 First Nations writers and directors to further develop their TV projects. The Hub was later extended to include a partnership with Safc, Screen Nt and Screen Nsw.
Jowsey and Simpkin will continue as co-MDs of Bunya Entertainment. The separate Bunya Group entities,...
- 3/19/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (Aacta) handed out its 2024 awards on Saturday, and Talk to Me won big, including for best film and best director, while Margot Robbie was honored with the Trailblazer Award.
Barbie, Oppenheimer and The Bear were among the Hollywood honorees, with big Australian winners including the likes of The Newsreader, Deadloch and The New Boy.
“Talk to Me is the biggest winner of the night, adding a further three awards to its collection and taking its total wins to eight, following the Aacta Industry Awards earlier in the week,” the Australian Academy noted. The honors include the one for best direction in film for sibling-YouTubers-turned-directors Danny and Michael Philippou.
Among acting talent earning trophies, rising star Sophie Wilde won the best lead actress in film award for her performance in Talk to Me, while Aswan Reid got the best lead actor in film...
Barbie, Oppenheimer and The Bear were among the Hollywood honorees, with big Australian winners including the likes of The Newsreader, Deadloch and The New Boy.
“Talk to Me is the biggest winner of the night, adding a further three awards to its collection and taking its total wins to eight, following the Aacta Industry Awards earlier in the week,” the Australian Academy noted. The honors include the one for best direction in film for sibling-YouTubers-turned-directors Danny and Michael Philippou.
Among acting talent earning trophies, rising star Sophie Wilde won the best lead actress in film award for her performance in Talk to Me, while Aswan Reid got the best lead actor in film...
- 2/10/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Talk to Me” was the runaway winner at this year’s main awards from the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts.
The native production, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival last year and was acquired by A24 for North American distribution, scored three of the evening’s top prizes, including wins for best film, best lead actress for Sophie Wilde and best direction for the filmmaking duo of brothers, Danny Philippou and Michael Philoppou.
Other winners from this year’s edition include “The New Boy” stars Aswan Reid and Deborah Mailman in lead actor and supporting actress, respectively, and Hugo Weaving in supporting actor for “The Rooster.”
The Aacta Awards were held Saturday evening at the Home of the Arts, Gold Coast in Queensland. Rebel Wilson served as host, while Australian star Margot Robbie was honored with the group’s trailblazer award.
See the full list of winners below.
The native production, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival last year and was acquired by A24 for North American distribution, scored three of the evening’s top prizes, including wins for best film, best lead actress for Sophie Wilde and best direction for the filmmaking duo of brothers, Danny Philippou and Michael Philoppou.
Other winners from this year’s edition include “The New Boy” stars Aswan Reid and Deborah Mailman in lead actor and supporting actress, respectively, and Hugo Weaving in supporting actor for “The Rooster.”
The Aacta Awards were held Saturday evening at the Home of the Arts, Gold Coast in Queensland. Rebel Wilson served as host, while Australian star Margot Robbie was honored with the group’s trailblazer award.
See the full list of winners below.
- 2/10/2024
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
Talk to Me was named Best Film at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, which were handed out today on the Gold Coast. The teen horror pic also won Best Director for Danny and Michael Philippou and Best Lead Actress for Sophie Wilde.
Talk to Me took eight total statuettes, including five from the Aacta Industry Awards earlier in the week. The Newsreader and Deadloch also won five AACTAs each, including the Industry nods.
The group also revealed its winners in TV, online and other categories. See the full list from both Aacta Awards ceremonies below.
Aswan Reid took Best Lead Actor in a Film for The New Boy, and his co-star Deborah Mailman won the Supporting Actress prize. Hugo Weaving scooped Best Supporting Actor for The Rooster and added a Best Lead Actor in a Drama trophy for Love Me.
On the TV side, The Newsreader took Best Drama Series,...
Talk to Me took eight total statuettes, including five from the Aacta Industry Awards earlier in the week. The Newsreader and Deadloch also won five AACTAs each, including the Industry nods.
The group also revealed its winners in TV, online and other categories. See the full list from both Aacta Awards ceremonies below.
Aswan Reid took Best Lead Actor in a Film for The New Boy, and his co-star Deborah Mailman won the Supporting Actress prize. Hugo Weaving scooped Best Supporting Actor for The Rooster and added a Best Lead Actor in a Drama trophy for Love Me.
On the TV side, The Newsreader took Best Drama Series,...
- 2/10/2024
- by Erik Pedersen and Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Tony Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo will topline a film adaptation of the hit play “Prima Facie,” which she will also executive produce.
Participant and Bunya Productions are producing the film, in association with Erivo’s Edith’s Daughter. The film will be directed by BAFTA Award-winning filmmaker Susanna White. Acclaimed playwright Suzie Miller, who wrote the award-winning stage play, adapted the screenplay. Bunya’s Greer Simpkin, David Jowsey and Jenny Cooney will produce the feature alongside Participant; Miller, Erivo, Solome Williams and Participant’s Jeff Skoll will executive produce.
Jodie Comer is currently starring in the Broadway production of “Prima Facie,” which follows Tessa, an ambitious and confident defense attorney from working class roots. A rising star in the high-powered London legal system, Tessa skillfully defends her clients, including those accused of sexual assault. But after she is raped by a colleague, she discovers that the law does not deliver...
Participant and Bunya Productions are producing the film, in association with Erivo’s Edith’s Daughter. The film will be directed by BAFTA Award-winning filmmaker Susanna White. Acclaimed playwright Suzie Miller, who wrote the award-winning stage play, adapted the screenplay. Bunya’s Greer Simpkin, David Jowsey and Jenny Cooney will produce the feature alongside Participant; Miller, Erivo, Solome Williams and Participant’s Jeff Skoll will executive produce.
Jodie Comer is currently starring in the Broadway production of “Prima Facie,” which follows Tessa, an ambitious and confident defense attorney from working class roots. A rising star in the high-powered London legal system, Tessa skillfully defends her clients, including those accused of sexual assault. But after she is raped by a colleague, she discovers that the law does not deliver...
- 5/15/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Cynthia Erivo will star in a film adaptation of the theater sensation “Prime Facie,” Variety can report exclusively.
Participant and Bunya Productions announced Monday that Oscar nominee Erivo will take on the role originated on the West End by actor Jodie Comer. Erivo will also executive produce the project through her banner Edith’s Daughter.
BAFTA winner and Emmy nominee Susanna White will direct. Suzie Miller has adapted her own critically-acclaimed stage play for the screen.
“Prima Facie,” which translates to “at first sight,” tells the propulsive story of ambitious and confident defense attorney Tessa. From working class roots, the rising star in the high-powered London legal system skillfully defends her clients — including those accused of sexual assault. But after she is raped by a colleague, she discovers that the law does not deliver justice along the boundaries of consent.
“I am thrilled to be joining Suzie, Susanna, Participant, Bunya...
Participant and Bunya Productions announced Monday that Oscar nominee Erivo will take on the role originated on the West End by actor Jodie Comer. Erivo will also executive produce the project through her banner Edith’s Daughter.
BAFTA winner and Emmy nominee Susanna White will direct. Suzie Miller has adapted her own critically-acclaimed stage play for the screen.
“Prima Facie,” which translates to “at first sight,” tells the propulsive story of ambitious and confident defense attorney Tessa. From working class roots, the rising star in the high-powered London legal system skillfully defends her clients — including those accused of sexual assault. But after she is raped by a colleague, she discovers that the law does not deliver justice along the boundaries of consent.
“I am thrilled to be joining Suzie, Susanna, Participant, Bunya...
- 5/15/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road: Origin is underway in Western Australia’s Kalgoorlie-Boulder for the ABC, with a stacked ensemble cast to join Mark Coles Smith as a young Jay Swan.
They include Toby Leonard Moore, Daniel Henshall, Lisa Flanagan, Clarence Ryan, Steve Bisley, Caroline Brazier, Hayley McElhinney, Dubs Yunupingu, Kelton Pell, Leonie Whyman, Salme Geransar, Nina Young and rising stars Jayden Popik and Tuuli Narkle, who will play Jay’s first love Mary.
The third season of the series is set in 1999 and follows Constable Jay Swan, a charismatic young officer who arrives at his new station. Fresh from the city and tipped for big things, Jay might be the new copper, but he’s not new to this town. His estranged father Jack lives here, as does the woman who will change his life forever, Mary.
The Mystery Road franchise stems back to Ivan Sen’s 2013 film by the same title,...
They include Toby Leonard Moore, Daniel Henshall, Lisa Flanagan, Clarence Ryan, Steve Bisley, Caroline Brazier, Hayley McElhinney, Dubs Yunupingu, Kelton Pell, Leonie Whyman, Salme Geransar, Nina Young and rising stars Jayden Popik and Tuuli Narkle, who will play Jay’s first love Mary.
The third season of the series is set in 1999 and follows Constable Jay Swan, a charismatic young officer who arrives at his new station. Fresh from the city and tipped for big things, Jay might be the new copper, but he’s not new to this town. His estranged father Jack lives here, as does the woman who will change his life forever, Mary.
The Mystery Road franchise stems back to Ivan Sen’s 2013 film by the same title,...
- 10/12/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Mark Coles Smith is set to take the baton from Aaron Pedersen and play a young Jay Swan in Mystery Road: Origin, ABC/Bunya Productions’ latest instalment in the crime drama franchise.
Set in 1999, the series will see Constable Jay Swan as young charismatic officer at his new station. Fresh from the city and tipped for big things, Jay might be the new copper, but he’s not new to this town. His estranged father Jack lives here, as does the woman who will change his life forever, Mary.
Mystery Road: Origin will explore how a tragic death, an epic love, and the brutal reality of life as a police officer straddling two worlds, form the indelible mould out of which will emerge Detective Jay Swan.
“Audiences have long been intrigued with the enigmatic detective,” said producer Greer Simpkin.
“Now we peel back the layers of Jay Swan, to discover...
Set in 1999, the series will see Constable Jay Swan as young charismatic officer at his new station. Fresh from the city and tipped for big things, Jay might be the new copper, but he’s not new to this town. His estranged father Jack lives here, as does the woman who will change his life forever, Mary.
Mystery Road: Origin will explore how a tragic death, an epic love, and the brutal reality of life as a police officer straddling two worlds, form the indelible mould out of which will emerge Detective Jay Swan.
“Audiences have long been intrigued with the enigmatic detective,” said producer Greer Simpkin.
“Now we peel back the layers of Jay Swan, to discover...
- 8/23/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Rarriwuy Hick leads the ensemble cast of Bunya Productions’ drama True Colours (formerly Copping It Black), now shooting in the Northern Territory’s Macdonnell Ranges for Sbs and Nitv.
The four-part series stems from an original concept from Arrernte singer-songwriter Warren H. Williams, who also stars, and co-creator, writer and director Erica Glynn.
Hick plays Detective Toni Alma, assigned to investigate a suspicious car accident in Perdar Theendar, the Indigenous community she left as a child and has had little to do with over the years. The beauty of Indigenous art and the sometimes-devious practices in the global art market take the detective on an epic hunt for a killer.
Starring alongside Hick are Luke Arnold, Erroll Shand, Emilie de Ravin, Trisha Morton-Thomas, Ben Oxenbould and Miranda Otto.
The series will also include a range of fresh faces such as Kumalie Riley, Kurt Abbott, Sabella Turner, Natalie Peperill, Warren ‘Wazza’ Williams,...
The four-part series stems from an original concept from Arrernte singer-songwriter Warren H. Williams, who also stars, and co-creator, writer and director Erica Glynn.
Hick plays Detective Toni Alma, assigned to investigate a suspicious car accident in Perdar Theendar, the Indigenous community she left as a child and has had little to do with over the years. The beauty of Indigenous art and the sometimes-devious practices in the global art market take the detective on an epic hunt for a killer.
Starring alongside Hick are Luke Arnold, Erroll Shand, Emilie de Ravin, Trisha Morton-Thomas, Ben Oxenbould and Miranda Otto.
The series will also include a range of fresh faces such as Kumalie Riley, Kurt Abbott, Sabella Turner, Natalie Peperill, Warren ‘Wazza’ Williams,...
- 8/4/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Ivan Sen’s latest feature Loveland, starring Ryan Kwanten, Jillian Nguyen and Hugo Weaving, will land in cinemas October 28 via Dark Matter Distribution.
In a futuristic Hong Kong, assassin Jack (Kwanten), crosses paths with a nightclub singer, April (Nguyen). As Jack becomes increasingly drawn to April his body mysteriously deteriorates. Jack tracks down reclusive life extension scientist Doctor Bergman (Weaving), in a search for answers. Doctor Bergman unearths Jack’s long buried secret and is forced to confront his own murky past. As the net that connects them tightens, Jack and April struggle for love as they face their past in a loveless world that is on the cusp of immortality and extinction.
Loveland is produced by Bunya Productions’ David Jowsey, Greer Simpkin, Angela Littlejohn and Ivan Sen, who is also the film’s Dop, editor and composer.
The post ‘Loveland’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
In a futuristic Hong Kong, assassin Jack (Kwanten), crosses paths with a nightclub singer, April (Nguyen). As Jack becomes increasingly drawn to April his body mysteriously deteriorates. Jack tracks down reclusive life extension scientist Doctor Bergman (Weaving), in a search for answers. Doctor Bergman unearths Jack’s long buried secret and is forced to confront his own murky past. As the net that connects them tightens, Jack and April struggle for love as they face their past in a loveless world that is on the cusp of immortality and extinction.
Loveland is produced by Bunya Productions’ David Jowsey, Greer Simpkin, Angela Littlejohn and Ivan Sen, who is also the film’s Dop, editor and composer.
The post ‘Loveland’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
- 8/2/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Roadshow Films will release writer-director Leah Purcell’s debut feature The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson in cinemas October 14.
Purcell plays Molly Johnson, a woman whose husband is away droving cattle, leaving her alone to care for their four children at their remote Snowy Mountains homestead.
Despite being heavily pregnant, Molly keeps various threats, from nature and other people, at bay. But when Yadaka, an Aboriginal man on the run from white law enforcement, intrudes on the sanctuary she has carved out, the brutal hardships and secrets that have followed them both throughout their lives must be confronted.
Starring alongside Purcell are Rob Collins, Sam Reid, Jessica de Gouw and Malachi Dower-Roberts.
The producers are Bain Stewart, David Jowsey, Angela Littlejohn, Greer Simpkin and Purcell.
The post ‘The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
Purcell plays Molly Johnson, a woman whose husband is away droving cattle, leaving her alone to care for their four children at their remote Snowy Mountains homestead.
Despite being heavily pregnant, Molly keeps various threats, from nature and other people, at bay. But when Yadaka, an Aboriginal man on the run from white law enforcement, intrudes on the sanctuary she has carved out, the brutal hardships and secrets that have followed them both throughout their lives must be confronted.
Starring alongside Purcell are Rob Collins, Sam Reid, Jessica de Gouw and Malachi Dower-Roberts.
The producers are Bain Stewart, David Jowsey, Angela Littlejohn, Greer Simpkin and Purcell.
The post ‘The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
- 6/16/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Outgoing Screen Australia head of First Nations Penny Smallacombe is set to join Bunya Media Group as a producer.
Smallacombe will produce a number of the company’s upcoming projects, including Sbs drama series Copping It Black, working with directors Erica Glynn and Steven McGregor, who both penned the script with Danielle Maclean.
While at Screen Australia, Smallacombe helped shepherd to screen several Bunya Productions projects, including ABC series Mystery Road, Warwick Thornton’s Sweet Country and Ivan Sen’s Goldstone, as well as helping to facilitate Bunya Talent Hub LA.
Smallacombe, a Maramanindji woman from the Northern Territory, tells If she has loved Bunya’s “big, bold” output over the past few years, and considers it a privilege to join the team. She is keen to use her new role to continue to bring authentic First Nations stories to screen, particularly from exciting new talent.
“They’re a trusted...
Smallacombe will produce a number of the company’s upcoming projects, including Sbs drama series Copping It Black, working with directors Erica Glynn and Steven McGregor, who both penned the script with Danielle Maclean.
While at Screen Australia, Smallacombe helped shepherd to screen several Bunya Productions projects, including ABC series Mystery Road, Warwick Thornton’s Sweet Country and Ivan Sen’s Goldstone, as well as helping to facilitate Bunya Talent Hub LA.
Smallacombe, a Maramanindji woman from the Northern Territory, tells If she has loved Bunya’s “big, bold” output over the past few years, and considers it a privilege to join the team. She is keen to use her new role to continue to bring authentic First Nations stories to screen, particularly from exciting new talent.
“They’re a trusted...
- 5/26/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired the North American rights to Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson ahead of its world premiere at SXSW next week.
In a deal was brokered by Momento International, The Drover’s Wife marks yet another Australian acquisition for Samuel Goldwyn, who has in recent years picked up films such as Rams, High Ground, Judy & Punch, Top End Wedding, Measure for Measure. H is for Happiness, Dirt Music, Koko: A Red Dog Story and Sweet Country.
Produced by Bunya Productions and Oombarra Productions, The Drover’s Wife is written and directed by Purcell, based on her stage play of the same name.
A reimagining of Henry Lawson’s classic short story, the story is set in 1893 on an isolated property the Snowy Mountains, and follows the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson (Purcell) and her children, who struggle in isolation to survive after her husband leaves,...
In a deal was brokered by Momento International, The Drover’s Wife marks yet another Australian acquisition for Samuel Goldwyn, who has in recent years picked up films such as Rams, High Ground, Judy & Punch, Top End Wedding, Measure for Measure. H is for Happiness, Dirt Music, Koko: A Red Dog Story and Sweet Country.
Produced by Bunya Productions and Oombarra Productions, The Drover’s Wife is written and directed by Purcell, based on her stage play of the same name.
A reimagining of Henry Lawson’s classic short story, the story is set in 1893 on an isolated property the Snowy Mountains, and follows the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson (Purcell) and her children, who struggle in isolation to survive after her husband leaves,...
- 3/11/2021
- 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
Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson and Gracie Otto’s documentary Under the Volcano will lead the Australian contingent at next month’s SXSW Film Festival.
Purcell’s feature adaption of her award-winning stageplay will have its world premiere in the Narrative Spotlight section, while Otto’s story of George Martin’s Air Studios Montserrat will debut as part of the 24 Beats Per Second section.
Based on the Henry Lawson short story, The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson follows a woman and her stubborn determination to protect her family from the harshness of life in 1893, Snowy Mountains.
Purcell directed and stars in the film, having written the screenplay from her play of the same name.
She is joined in the cast by Rob Collins, Sam Reid, Jessica de Gouw, Malachi Dower-Roberts, Tony Cogin, and Harry Greenwood.
The film is produced by Bain Stewart...
Purcell’s feature adaption of her award-winning stageplay will have its world premiere in the Narrative Spotlight section, while Otto’s story of George Martin’s Air Studios Montserrat will debut as part of the 24 Beats Per Second section.
Based on the Henry Lawson short story, The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson follows a woman and her stubborn determination to protect her family from the harshness of life in 1893, Snowy Mountains.
Purcell directed and stars in the film, having written the screenplay from her play of the same name.
She is joined in the cast by Rob Collins, Sam Reid, Jessica de Gouw, Malachi Dower-Roberts, Tony Cogin, and Harry Greenwood.
The film is produced by Bain Stewart...
- 2/11/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
*Competition Is Now Closed; Winners To Be Notified Shortly*
If has 15 double passes to give away to Stephen Johnson’s High Ground, courtesy of Madman Films.
Set in 1930s Arnhem Land, High Ground follows young Aboriginal man Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul), who in a bid to save the last of his family teams up with ex-soldier Travis (Simon Baker) to track down Baywara—the most dangerous warrior in the Territory, who is also his uncle. As Travis and Gutjuk journey through the outback they begin to earn each other’s trust, but when the truths of Travis’ past actions are suddenly revealed, it is he who becomes the hunted.
Starring alongside Nayinggul and Baker are Jack Thompson, Witiyana Marika, Aaron Pedersen, Callan Mulvey, Ryan Corr, Caren Pistorius and Esmerelda Marimow.
High Ground, which premiered at the 2020 Berlin Internatioanl Film Festival, is written by Chris Anastassiades and produced by David Jowsey,...
If has 15 double passes to give away to Stephen Johnson’s High Ground, courtesy of Madman Films.
Set in 1930s Arnhem Land, High Ground follows young Aboriginal man Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul), who in a bid to save the last of his family teams up with ex-soldier Travis (Simon Baker) to track down Baywara—the most dangerous warrior in the Territory, who is also his uncle. As Travis and Gutjuk journey through the outback they begin to earn each other’s trust, but when the truths of Travis’ past actions are suddenly revealed, it is he who becomes the hunted.
Starring alongside Nayinggul and Baker are Jack Thompson, Witiyana Marika, Aaron Pedersen, Callan Mulvey, Ryan Corr, Caren Pistorius and Esmerelda Marimow.
High Ground, which premiered at the 2020 Berlin Internatioanl Film Festival, is written by Chris Anastassiades and produced by David Jowsey,...
- 2/2/2021
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Stephen Johnson’s High Ground earned a special mention from The Young Cinema Award jury at this evening’s Asia Pacific Screen Awards, held on the Gold Coast.
Set in 1930s Arnhem Land, High Ground follows young Aboriginal man Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul), who in a bid to save the last of his family teams up with ex-soldier Travis (Simon Baker) to track down the most dangerous warrior in the Territory – his uncle.
The Apsa jury praised the assured direction of Johnson, noting his film gave “voice to the issue of brutal colonisation.” Jack Thompson, Apsa president and star of the film, accepted the honour on behalf of the director.
High Ground premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and also stars Callan Mulvey, Witiyana Marika, Caren Pistorius and Ryan Corr. Madman Entertainment will release the drama, written by Chris Anastassiades and produced by David Jowsey, Johnson, Marika, Maggie Miles and Greer Simpkin,...
Set in 1930s Arnhem Land, High Ground follows young Aboriginal man Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul), who in a bid to save the last of his family teams up with ex-soldier Travis (Simon Baker) to track down the most dangerous warrior in the Territory – his uncle.
The Apsa jury praised the assured direction of Johnson, noting his film gave “voice to the issue of brutal colonisation.” Jack Thompson, Apsa president and star of the film, accepted the honour on behalf of the director.
High Ground premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and also stars Callan Mulvey, Witiyana Marika, Caren Pistorius and Ryan Corr. Madman Entertainment will release the drama, written by Chris Anastassiades and produced by David Jowsey, Johnson, Marika, Maggie Miles and Greer Simpkin,...
- 11/26/2020
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Set in 1930s Arnhem Land, High Ground chronicles young Aboriginal man Gutjuk, who in a bid to save the last of his family teams up with ex-soldier Travis to track down Baywara—the most dangerous warrior in the Territory, who is also his uncle. As Travis and Gutjuk journey through the outback they begin to earn each other’s trust, but when the truths of Travis’ past actions are suddenly revealed, it is he who becomes the hunted.
High Ground is directed Stephen Johnson (Yolngu Boy) and stars Simon Baker, Jack Thompson, Witiyana Marika, Aaron Pedersen, Callan Mulvey, Ryan Corr and Caren Pistorius and newcomers Jacob Junior Nayinggul and Esmerelda Marimow. Written by Anastassiades and produced by David Jowsey, Johnson, Marika, Maggie Miles and Greer Simpkin.
Madman Entertainment will release the film in cinemas January 28th, 2021.
The post ‘High Ground’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
High Ground is directed Stephen Johnson (Yolngu Boy) and stars Simon Baker, Jack Thompson, Witiyana Marika, Aaron Pedersen, Callan Mulvey, Ryan Corr and Caren Pistorius and newcomers Jacob Junior Nayinggul and Esmerelda Marimow. Written by Anastassiades and produced by David Jowsey, Johnson, Marika, Maggie Miles and Greer Simpkin.
Madman Entertainment will release the film in cinemas January 28th, 2021.
The post ‘High Ground’ (Trailer) appeared first on If Magazine.
- 11/11/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
As cinemas across the country do it tough, Sydney Film Festival’s Traveling Film Festival has partnered with Independent Cinemas Australia (Ica) to present two curated programs of features and shorts designed to drive audiences back to local theatres.
Supported by Screen Australia, the initiative dubbed ‘My Cinema My Film Festival’ will run in 19 cinemas in metro and regional Nsw, Queensland, Wa, Sa and the Act across November and December.
The first program showcases independent and arthouse features from Australia and overseas, and the second a selection of Australian short films and interview footage.
Among the highlights is Stephen Johnson’s High Ground, starring Simon Baker, Jack Thompson and Jacob Junior Nayinggul, which will be the opening night film in each regional cinema.
Written by Chris Anastassiades and produced by Bunya Productions’ Greer Simpkin and David Jowsey, Maggie Miles, Johnson and Yothu Yindi co-founder Witiyana Marika, the film earned raves...
Supported by Screen Australia, the initiative dubbed ‘My Cinema My Film Festival’ will run in 19 cinemas in metro and regional Nsw, Queensland, Wa, Sa and the Act across November and December.
The first program showcases independent and arthouse features from Australia and overseas, and the second a selection of Australian short films and interview footage.
Among the highlights is Stephen Johnson’s High Ground, starring Simon Baker, Jack Thompson and Jacob Junior Nayinggul, which will be the opening night film in each regional cinema.
Written by Chris Anastassiades and produced by Bunya Productions’ Greer Simpkin and David Jowsey, Maggie Miles, Johnson and Yothu Yindi co-founder Witiyana Marika, the film earned raves...
- 10/29/2020
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Incoming Apsa chair Tracey Vieira.
While the major ceremony will not go ahead given Covid-19 restrictions, the Asia Pacific Screen Academy (Apsa) will still present a smaller number of awards in a live presentation in late November, while also running the concurrent industry event, the Asia Pacific Screen Forum, online.
The awards, to be broadcast from Hota on the Gold Coast, will consist of two major prizes, the Fiapf Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film, and the Apsa Young Cinema Award acknowledging the cinematic excellence of an emerging filmmaker.
The four recipients of the MPA Apsa Academy Film Fund, a US $25,000 script development grant, will also be unveiled during the presentation.
The news coincides with appointment of Tracey Vieira as Apsa chair. Vieira is the chief content officer at Hoodlum Entertainment and former CEO of Screen Queensland, and succeeds Michael Hawkins, who remains on the board together with founding chair Des Power.
While the major ceremony will not go ahead given Covid-19 restrictions, the Asia Pacific Screen Academy (Apsa) will still present a smaller number of awards in a live presentation in late November, while also running the concurrent industry event, the Asia Pacific Screen Forum, online.
The awards, to be broadcast from Hota on the Gold Coast, will consist of two major prizes, the Fiapf Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film, and the Apsa Young Cinema Award acknowledging the cinematic excellence of an emerging filmmaker.
The four recipients of the MPA Apsa Academy Film Fund, a US $25,000 script development grant, will also be unveiled during the presentation.
The news coincides with appointment of Tracey Vieira as Apsa chair. Vieira is the chief content officer at Hoodlum Entertainment and former CEO of Screen Queensland, and succeeds Michael Hawkins, who remains on the board together with founding chair Des Power.
- 9/23/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘High Ground’.
Adelaide Film Festival announced its first five titles today, as it pushes forward with a physical event in October as originally planned.
Among the early local fare is Stephen Johnson’s 1930s drama High Ground, which premiered earlier this year in Berlin, and documentaries Firestarter – The Story of Bangarra, from Nel Minchin and Wayne Blair, and Phil Liggett: The Voice of Cycling, from Nickolas Bird and Eleanor Sharpe.
The biennial festival has also snared the Australian premiere of Thomas Vinterberg’s comedy Another Round, direct from Toronto. Starring Mads Mikkelsen, the film was selected to screen in Cannes and follows four friends, all high school teachers, who test a theory that they will improve their lives by maintaining a constant level of alcohol in their blood.
Also on the line-up is Benjamin Lee’s The Painter and the Thief, this year’s winner of the Sundance Film Festival...
Adelaide Film Festival announced its first five titles today, as it pushes forward with a physical event in October as originally planned.
Among the early local fare is Stephen Johnson’s 1930s drama High Ground, which premiered earlier this year in Berlin, and documentaries Firestarter – The Story of Bangarra, from Nel Minchin and Wayne Blair, and Phil Liggett: The Voice of Cycling, from Nickolas Bird and Eleanor Sharpe.
The biennial festival has also snared the Australian premiere of Thomas Vinterberg’s comedy Another Round, direct from Toronto. Starring Mads Mikkelsen, the film was selected to screen in Cannes and follows four friends, all high school teachers, who test a theory that they will improve their lives by maintaining a constant level of alcohol in their blood.
Also on the line-up is Benjamin Lee’s The Painter and the Thief, this year’s winner of the Sundance Film Festival...
- 8/17/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Leah Purcell as Rita Connors in ‘Wentworth.’
After Leah Purcell is released from lockdown – literally – when filming of Wentworth wraps in early September, she will resume developing a raft of feature film and TV projects including a series based on her play and movie The Drover’s Wife the Legend of Molly Johnson.
The writer-director-actor’s agenda includes one of the segments of Shakespeare Now, the ABC’s female-driven anthology.
Supported by Screen Australia story development funding, Hoodlum Entertainment and Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap Entertainment are developing the fresh re-interpretations of 10 Shakespeare plays.
Purcell, who plays Rita Connors in Wentworth, will write, direct and star in her segment, title under wraps.
Leah and her Oombarra Productions’ partner Bain Stewart are collaborating on several projects with Andrew Wareham’s Taxi Film Production, part of the Taxi group.
Screen Queensland’s Enterprise funding is supporting their joint venture Tahlee Productions to develop...
After Leah Purcell is released from lockdown – literally – when filming of Wentworth wraps in early September, she will resume developing a raft of feature film and TV projects including a series based on her play and movie The Drover’s Wife the Legend of Molly Johnson.
The writer-director-actor’s agenda includes one of the segments of Shakespeare Now, the ABC’s female-driven anthology.
Supported by Screen Australia story development funding, Hoodlum Entertainment and Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap Entertainment are developing the fresh re-interpretations of 10 Shakespeare plays.
Purcell, who plays Rita Connors in Wentworth, will write, direct and star in her segment, title under wraps.
Leah and her Oombarra Productions’ partner Bain Stewart are collaborating on several projects with Andrew Wareham’s Taxi Film Production, part of the Taxi group.
Screen Queensland’s Enterprise funding is supporting their joint venture Tahlee Productions to develop...
- 8/14/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
(L-r) Greer Simpkin, Peter Goldwyn, Warwick Thornton and David Jowsey at the Sundance ‘Sweet Country’ premiere.
No North American distributor has been more aggressive in acquiring Australian films in the past few years than Samuel Goldwyn Films, continuing a relationship with Australian filmmakers that stretches for more than 20 years.
Among its latest acquisitions are Stephen Johnson’s High Ground, Paul Ireland’s Measure for Measure, John Sheedy’s H is for Happiness and Gregor Jordan’s Dirt Music.
President Peter Goldwyn explains the long-term commitment to Australian cinema, the target audiences for upcoming Oz titles and the distributor’s release strategies as most US cinemas are closed.
By my estimate, your company has released more Australian titles in recent years than any other US distributor. What keeps attracting you to Oz films and talent?
Simple answer is the quality of the pictures.
I think Goldwyn’s relationship with Aussie cinema...
No North American distributor has been more aggressive in acquiring Australian films in the past few years than Samuel Goldwyn Films, continuing a relationship with Australian filmmakers that stretches for more than 20 years.
Among its latest acquisitions are Stephen Johnson’s High Ground, Paul Ireland’s Measure for Measure, John Sheedy’s H is for Happiness and Gregor Jordan’s Dirt Music.
President Peter Goldwyn explains the long-term commitment to Australian cinema, the target audiences for upcoming Oz titles and the distributor’s release strategies as most US cinemas are closed.
By my estimate, your company has released more Australian titles in recent years than any other US distributor. What keeps attracting you to Oz films and talent?
Simple answer is the quality of the pictures.
I think Goldwyn’s relationship with Aussie cinema...
- 8/2/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘High Ground’.
With Melbourne cinemas closed and most of those still in operation averaging capacities of 10 – 20 per cent, Madman Entertainment sensibly has decided to release Stephen Johnson’s High Ground next year.
The 1930s-set drama, which stars Simon Baker, Jacob Junior Nayinggul, Jack Thompson, Callan Mulvey, Aaron Pedersen, Caren Pistorius and Ryan Corr, was originally slated to open on July 9.
It will join a number of other Aussie titles dated for 2021, including Glendyn Ivin’s Penguin Bloom (January 1) and Robert Connolly’s The Dry (April 8), both Roadshow releases.
Inspired by true events, scripted by Chris Anastassiades and produced by Maggie Miles, Yothu Yindi co-founder Witiyana Marika, Johnson, David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin, High Ground has its world premiere in the Berlinale Special screenings section of the Berlin International Film Festival.
“High Ground obviously has had its trajectory post-Berlinale world premiere impacted by Covid-19,” Madman MD Paul Wiegard tells If.
“With...
With Melbourne cinemas closed and most of those still in operation averaging capacities of 10 – 20 per cent, Madman Entertainment sensibly has decided to release Stephen Johnson’s High Ground next year.
The 1930s-set drama, which stars Simon Baker, Jacob Junior Nayinggul, Jack Thompson, Callan Mulvey, Aaron Pedersen, Caren Pistorius and Ryan Corr, was originally slated to open on July 9.
It will join a number of other Aussie titles dated for 2021, including Glendyn Ivin’s Penguin Bloom (January 1) and Robert Connolly’s The Dry (April 8), both Roadshow releases.
Inspired by true events, scripted by Chris Anastassiades and produced by Maggie Miles, Yothu Yindi co-founder Witiyana Marika, Johnson, David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin, High Ground has its world premiere in the Berlinale Special screenings section of the Berlin International Film Festival.
“High Ground obviously has had its trajectory post-Berlinale world premiere impacted by Covid-19,” Madman MD Paul Wiegard tells If.
“With...
- 7/22/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
(L-r) Jack Steele, Warwick Thornton and Mitchell Stanley (Photo credit: John Paille).
The Indigenous creative teams in Australia and New Zealand were developing the anthology feature Cook 2020: Our Right of Reply when they decided the basic premise wasn’t right.
When Screen Australia’s Indigenous department and the New Zealand Film Commission (Nzfc) agreed to fund the project last year the intention was for each of the eight teams to provide an Indigenous perspective on the 250th anniversary of James Cook’s maiden voyage to the Pacific.
“We have scrapped that idea. The film will touch on survival and colonisation but it doesn’t refer directly back to Cook,” says Mitchell Stanley, who is co-producing with his No Coincidence Media partner Toni Stowers and Mia Henry-Tierney (Baby Mama’s Club).
“The consensus from all the writing teams was that we want to tell stories about us, we don’t...
The Indigenous creative teams in Australia and New Zealand were developing the anthology feature Cook 2020: Our Right of Reply when they decided the basic premise wasn’t right.
When Screen Australia’s Indigenous department and the New Zealand Film Commission (Nzfc) agreed to fund the project last year the intention was for each of the eight teams to provide an Indigenous perspective on the 250th anniversary of James Cook’s maiden voyage to the Pacific.
“We have scrapped that idea. The film will touch on survival and colonisation but it doesn’t refer directly back to Cook,” says Mitchell Stanley, who is co-producing with his No Coincidence Media partner Toni Stowers and Mia Henry-Tierney (Baby Mama’s Club).
“The consensus from all the writing teams was that we want to tell stories about us, we don’t...
- 6/4/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Australian actors, producers, writers, directors and crew members have slammed the Federal Government’s decision to deny access to the JobKeeper wage subsidy to freelancers and other casual workers.
Meanwhile already stressed exhibitors are worried about having to cash flow payments to workers until they are reimbursed by the government, so some of their staff will miss out and have to claim the JobSeeker payment.
The legislation was passed by the Senate late last night after amendments by Labour and the Greens to provide a support package for the arts and entertainment sector, most of whose workers are ineligible, were defeated.
The Meaa said tens of thousands of freelance and casual performers and crew – and many of their employers – will not get the $1,500 per fortnight wage subsidy.
“Freelance employees and many loyal casuals will – without urgent changes to the JobKeeper rules, be at least $200 a week worse off. For those...
Meanwhile already stressed exhibitors are worried about having to cash flow payments to workers until they are reimbursed by the government, so some of their staff will miss out and have to claim the JobSeeker payment.
The legislation was passed by the Senate late last night after amendments by Labour and the Greens to provide a support package for the arts and entertainment sector, most of whose workers are ineligible, were defeated.
The Meaa said tens of thousands of freelance and casual performers and crew – and many of their employers – will not get the $1,500 per fortnight wage subsidy.
“Freelance employees and many loyal casuals will – without urgent changes to the JobKeeper rules, be at least $200 a week worse off. For those...
- 4/9/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘I Am Woman’.
This year’s Gold Coast Film Festival will be bookended by two Aussie features, opening with Unjoo Moon’s Helen Reddy biopic I Am Woman, and closing with the locally shot comedic thriller Bloody Hell, directed by Alister Grierson.
The April festival dropped its full program today, announcing more than 100 films, including four world premieres: Kriv Stenders’ documentary on Silm Dusty’s wife Joy McKean, Slim & I; Hayley MacFarlane’s Swimming for Gold; Josh Hale’s House of Inequity and Serhat Caradee’s A Lion Returns.
Other local films to screen include Never Too Late, Smoke Between Trees, Disclosure, Hearts and Bones, Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks, Tommy Emmanuel: The Endless Road, Dark Whispers Vol 1, The Show Must Go On, Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie’s Dead Aunt), Morgana, and Love Opera.
Ahead of its premiere on the ABC April 19, the festival will also screen...
This year’s Gold Coast Film Festival will be bookended by two Aussie features, opening with Unjoo Moon’s Helen Reddy biopic I Am Woman, and closing with the locally shot comedic thriller Bloody Hell, directed by Alister Grierson.
The April festival dropped its full program today, announcing more than 100 films, including four world premieres: Kriv Stenders’ documentary on Silm Dusty’s wife Joy McKean, Slim & I; Hayley MacFarlane’s Swimming for Gold; Josh Hale’s House of Inequity and Serhat Caradee’s A Lion Returns.
Other local films to screen include Never Too Late, Smoke Between Trees, Disclosure, Hearts and Bones, Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks, Tommy Emmanuel: The Endless Road, Dark Whispers Vol 1, The Show Must Go On, Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie’s Dead Aunt), Morgana, and Love Opera.
Ahead of its premiere on the ABC April 19, the festival will also screen...
- 3/10/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Jacob Junior Nayinggul and Simon Baker at the Berlin premiere.
The Samuel Goldwyn Co. has nabbed Us rights to Stephen Johnson’s Western High Ground which received rave reviews after the world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival.
The deal continues Goldwyn’s relationship with Bunya Productions’ David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin after the distributor released Warwick Thornton’s Sweet Country in 2018.
Last year Goldwyn acquired Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding, which premiered on VOD on February 21, Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy and Punch, which will get a limited theatrical release on April 24, and Koko: A Red Dog Story, the third edition of the franchise written and directed by Aaron McCann and Dominic Pearce,
Bunya produced High Ground with Maggie Miles, Johnson and Yothu Yindi co-founder Witiyana Marika, scripted by Chris Anastassiades.
The Us deal was brokered by Samuel Goldwyn’s CEO Peter Goldwyn and Nicolas Brigaud-Robert, CEO of the international sales agent Playtime.
The Samuel Goldwyn Co. has nabbed Us rights to Stephen Johnson’s Western High Ground which received rave reviews after the world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival.
The deal continues Goldwyn’s relationship with Bunya Productions’ David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin after the distributor released Warwick Thornton’s Sweet Country in 2018.
Last year Goldwyn acquired Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding, which premiered on VOD on February 21, Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy and Punch, which will get a limited theatrical release on April 24, and Koko: A Red Dog Story, the third edition of the franchise written and directed by Aaron McCann and Dominic Pearce,
Bunya produced High Ground with Maggie Miles, Johnson and Yothu Yindi co-founder Witiyana Marika, scripted by Chris Anastassiades.
The Us deal was brokered by Samuel Goldwyn’s CEO Peter Goldwyn and Nicolas Brigaud-Robert, CEO of the international sales agent Playtime.
- 2/23/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
In one of the first buys out of the 2020 Berlin Film Festival, Stephen Johnson’s Australian epic “High Ground” has sold to Samuel Goldwyn Films for stateside distribution. IndieWire has the first trailer for the film, below.
Here’s the official synopsis, courtesy of the Berlinale: “After fighting in the First World War as a sniper, Travis, now a policeman in the vast empty spaces of Northern Australia, loses control of an operation that results in the massacre of an Indigenous tribe. When his superiors insist on burying the truth, Travis leaves in disgust, only to be forced back twelve years later to hunt down Baywara, an Aboriginal warrior whose attacks on new settlers are causing havoc. When Travis, now a bounty hunter, recruits as his tracker the young mission-raised Gutjuk, the only known survivor of the carnage, memories threaten to resurface and turn the white man from hunter into the hunted.
Here’s the official synopsis, courtesy of the Berlinale: “After fighting in the First World War as a sniper, Travis, now a policeman in the vast empty spaces of Northern Australia, loses control of an operation that results in the massacre of an Indigenous tribe. When his superiors insist on burying the truth, Travis leaves in disgust, only to be forced back twelve years later to hunt down Baywara, an Aboriginal warrior whose attacks on new settlers are causing havoc. When Travis, now a bounty hunter, recruits as his tracker the young mission-raised Gutjuk, the only known survivor of the carnage, memories threaten to resurface and turn the white man from hunter into the hunted.
- 2/23/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Ahead of its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, Stephen Maxwell Johnson’s “High Ground” has found a U.S. home with Samuel Goldwyn. The film, headlined by Simon Baker, is represented in international markets by pan-European group Playtime and is having a gala screening at the festival.
Set in 1919, “High Ground” tells the story of former WWI sniper Travis, who is now a policeman in the vast and remote landscape of Northern Australia. He loses control of an operation, resulting in the massacre of an indigenous tribe.
While his superiors decide to bury the truth, the experience leaves a scar on Travis’ conscience, but he’s forced to return there 12 years later on a mission to track down an Aboriginal outlaw. Travis soon realizes the young man he’s chasing is the only known survivor of the massacre.
“High Ground” shot on location in the world heritage-listed Kakadu...
Set in 1919, “High Ground” tells the story of former WWI sniper Travis, who is now a policeman in the vast and remote landscape of Northern Australia. He loses control of an operation, resulting in the massacre of an indigenous tribe.
While his superiors decide to bury the truth, the experience leaves a scar on Travis’ conscience, but he’s forced to return there 12 years later on a mission to track down an Aboriginal outlaw. Travis soon realizes the young man he’s chasing is the only known survivor of the massacre.
“High Ground” shot on location in the world heritage-listed Kakadu...
- 2/23/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Memento Films Intl. (“Call Me By Your Name”) has acquired the Aussie revenge tale “The Drover’s Wife,” the film adaptation of Leah Purcell’s successful Australian stage play. Purcell is on board to adapt, act and direct the film which Oombarra Prods. and Bunya Prods. (“Sweet Country”) will produce.
Memento Films Intl. is handling world sales on the movie and will introduce the project to buyers at the Efm in Berlin with a promo. The company is also unveiling an exclusive first still of the film (pictured).
A searing Western thriller, the play “The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson” is a reimagining of Henry Lawson’s classic short story “The Drover’s Wife.” The story is set in 1893, and centers on the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson (Purcell) and her children who struggle in isolation to survive the harsh Australian landscape after her husband left to go...
Memento Films Intl. is handling world sales on the movie and will introduce the project to buyers at the Efm in Berlin with a promo. The company is also unveiling an exclusive first still of the film (pictured).
A searing Western thriller, the play “The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson” is a reimagining of Henry Lawson’s classic short story “The Drover’s Wife.” The story is set in 1893, and centers on the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson (Purcell) and her children who struggle in isolation to survive the harsh Australian landscape after her husband left to go...
- 2/21/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Madeleine Gottlieb.
Madeleine Gottlieb is co-developing a seven-part online series which will give female and non-binary perspectives on contemporary masculinity as well as writing a feature for Revlover Films’ Martha Coleman and Lauren Edwards.
Screen Australia is funding the development of Masc (working title), which she co-created with Easy Tiger’s Laura Nagy.
Her co-collaborators are Nagy, Renée Marie Petropoulos, Hyun Lee, Imogen McCluskey, Shari Sebbens and Cloudy Rhodes. Each segment will focus on a different man at his particular stage of life.
“I am really interested in exploring the sensitive, more gentle, non-hyper masc side of masculinity,” Gottlieb tells If.
The feature is Panyee, which is set on the man-made floating island of Koh Panyee in Thailand, to be directed by Matt Devine, inspired by his short Panyee Fc.
The narrative will follow a group of young Thai boys who build a rickety football pitch in their floating village,...
Madeleine Gottlieb is co-developing a seven-part online series which will give female and non-binary perspectives on contemporary masculinity as well as writing a feature for Revlover Films’ Martha Coleman and Lauren Edwards.
Screen Australia is funding the development of Masc (working title), which she co-created with Easy Tiger’s Laura Nagy.
Her co-collaborators are Nagy, Renée Marie Petropoulos, Hyun Lee, Imogen McCluskey, Shari Sebbens and Cloudy Rhodes. Each segment will focus on a different man at his particular stage of life.
“I am really interested in exploring the sensitive, more gentle, non-hyper masc side of masculinity,” Gottlieb tells If.
The feature is Panyee, which is set on the man-made floating island of Koh Panyee in Thailand, to be directed by Matt Devine, inspired by his short Panyee Fc.
The narrative will follow a group of young Thai boys who build a rickety football pitch in their floating village,...
- 2/18/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Jacob Junior Nayinggul and Simon Baker in ‘High Ground.’
Stephen Johnson’s Aussie Western High Ground will have its world premiere in the Berlinale Special screenings section of the Berlin International Film Festival.
Inspired by true events and scripted by Chris Anastassiades, the 1930s-set action thriller stars Simon Baker, Callan Mulvey, Jack Thompson, Aaron Pedersen and newcomer Jacob Junior Nayinggul.
Baker plays Travis, a bounty hunter and former soldier who enlists the help of Gutjuk (Nayinggul) a young Aboriginal orphan, to track down the most dangerous outlaw in the Territory – his uncle. During the manhunt a secret is revealed which ultimately pits them against each other.
Thompson is Moran, the head of the police outpost, with Mulvey as Ambrose, a police officer who fought with Travis in World War One, and Petersen as a lethal black tracker from Queensland.
The cast also includes Caren Pistorious as Claire, the mission manager and teacher,...
Stephen Johnson’s Aussie Western High Ground will have its world premiere in the Berlinale Special screenings section of the Berlin International Film Festival.
Inspired by true events and scripted by Chris Anastassiades, the 1930s-set action thriller stars Simon Baker, Callan Mulvey, Jack Thompson, Aaron Pedersen and newcomer Jacob Junior Nayinggul.
Baker plays Travis, a bounty hunter and former soldier who enlists the help of Gutjuk (Nayinggul) a young Aboriginal orphan, to track down the most dangerous outlaw in the Territory – his uncle. During the manhunt a secret is revealed which ultimately pits them against each other.
Thompson is Moran, the head of the police outpost, with Mulvey as Ambrose, a police officer who fought with Travis in World War One, and Petersen as a lethal black tracker from Queensland.
The cast also includes Caren Pistorious as Claire, the mission manager and teacher,...
- 1/21/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Cate Blanchett in ‘Stateless.’ (Photo: Ben King).
The first two episodes of Matchbox Pictures’ Stateless and the second series of Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road will have their world premieres at the sixth edition of the Berlin International Film Festival’s Berlinale Series.
In addition, Goalpost’s Dark Victory from writer-director Matthew Saville is among eight titles selected for the Co-Pro Series 2020, which seeks to link projects with international partners.
Adapted from the book by David Marr and Marian Wilkinson, Dark Victory is the story of the Howard government’s refusal to allow Norwegian frieghter Tampa, with hundreds of mainly Afghan refugees on board, to enter Christmas Island.
The Berlinale Series line-up consists of eight series from around the world including Damien Chazelle’s Paris-set musical-drama The Eddy for Netflix, Jason Segel’s AMC series Dispatches from Elswehere and the BBC-HBO Max’s Trigonometry.
“An abundance of topics and...
The first two episodes of Matchbox Pictures’ Stateless and the second series of Bunya Productions’ Mystery Road will have their world premieres at the sixth edition of the Berlin International Film Festival’s Berlinale Series.
In addition, Goalpost’s Dark Victory from writer-director Matthew Saville is among eight titles selected for the Co-Pro Series 2020, which seeks to link projects with international partners.
Adapted from the book by David Marr and Marian Wilkinson, Dark Victory is the story of the Howard government’s refusal to allow Norwegian frieghter Tampa, with hundreds of mainly Afghan refugees on board, to enter Christmas Island.
The Berlinale Series line-up consists of eight series from around the world including Damien Chazelle’s Paris-set musical-drama The Eddy for Netflix, Jason Segel’s AMC series Dispatches from Elswehere and the BBC-HBO Max’s Trigonometry.
“An abundance of topics and...
- 1/14/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Blake Ayshford.
Blake Ayshford is writing a pilot for the BBC, a comedy-drama set in the near future in which an Uber-like app provides emotional labour for time-poor people.
The writer-producer likens the project entitled Hearts to a cross between the Netflix series Black Mirror and The Breaker Upperers, the Kiwi comedy created by Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek.
The app enables people to employ ‘hearts’ to undertake such tasks as having dinner with him or her after their spouse has died, or simply attending a work function as a proxy.
Ayshford is writing the pilot for Castlefield, a Fremantle backed, Manchester-based production company founded by ex-BBC North producers Hilary Martin and Simon Judd.
“It’s been a lot of fun working on it so far but we are only at pilot stage so not exactly a story yet,” he tells If.
The writer’s first UK...
Blake Ayshford is writing a pilot for the BBC, a comedy-drama set in the near future in which an Uber-like app provides emotional labour for time-poor people.
The writer-producer likens the project entitled Hearts to a cross between the Netflix series Black Mirror and The Breaker Upperers, the Kiwi comedy created by Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek.
The app enables people to employ ‘hearts’ to undertake such tasks as having dinner with him or her after their spouse has died, or simply attending a work function as a proxy.
Ayshford is writing the pilot for Castlefield, a Fremantle backed, Manchester-based production company founded by ex-BBC North producers Hilary Martin and Simon Judd.
“It’s been a lot of fun working on it so far but we are only at pilot stage so not exactly a story yet,” he tells If.
The writer’s first UK...
- 1/7/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Ratidzo Mambo.
Last year Ratidzo Mambo figured she wasn’t being offered the type of roles she wanted and so she made a pivotal decision.
The Zimbabwean-born actor and former sales agent and distribution consultant resolved to take her fate into her own hands by becoming a creative producer, developing her own TV and film projects.
“I’ve had to learn how to multi-task because acting jobs are scarce and the types of roles I want to do are seldom offered to me,” Rati tells If via Skype from Bali, where she is finishing the bibles and treatments for a bunch of projects.
“Rather than blame people or live in a space of negativity, I have to take accountability. I have a lot to say and I am a storyteller as well.”
With the help of her Us manager, Fictional Entity’s Krista Carpenter (a former head of development at...
Last year Ratidzo Mambo figured she wasn’t being offered the type of roles she wanted and so she made a pivotal decision.
The Zimbabwean-born actor and former sales agent and distribution consultant resolved to take her fate into her own hands by becoming a creative producer, developing her own TV and film projects.
“I’ve had to learn how to multi-task because acting jobs are scarce and the types of roles I want to do are seldom offered to me,” Rati tells If via Skype from Bali, where she is finishing the bibles and treatments for a bunch of projects.
“Rather than blame people or live in a space of negativity, I have to take accountability. I have a lot to say and I am a storyteller as well.”
With the help of her Us manager, Fictional Entity’s Krista Carpenter (a former head of development at...
- 12/16/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Lynette Wallworth.
Filmmaker and artist Lynette Wallworth, creator of the Emmy Award-winning Vr work Collisions and Awavena, is one of the 2020 recipients of the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award.
The Crystal Award celebrates the achievements of artists and cultural figures whose leadership inspires inclusive and sustainable change. Previous recipients of the award include Sir David Attenborough, Cate Blanchett, Margaret Atwood, Sir Elton John, Shah Rukh Khan and Shirin Neshat.
Wallworth is the second Australian to receive the honour and was awarded for her leadership in creating inclusive narratives. Wallworth’s Collisions premiered at the World Economic Forum and Sundance in the same week. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Virtual and and a member of the board of trustees of the Sundance Institute.
“I have sought to use my skills as an artist to bring unheard voices, including Indigenous voices,...
Filmmaker and artist Lynette Wallworth, creator of the Emmy Award-winning Vr work Collisions and Awavena, is one of the 2020 recipients of the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award.
The Crystal Award celebrates the achievements of artists and cultural figures whose leadership inspires inclusive and sustainable change. Previous recipients of the award include Sir David Attenborough, Cate Blanchett, Margaret Atwood, Sir Elton John, Shah Rukh Khan and Shirin Neshat.
Wallworth is the second Australian to receive the honour and was awarded for her leadership in creating inclusive narratives. Wallworth’s Collisions premiered at the World Economic Forum and Sundance in the same week. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Virtual and and a member of the board of trustees of the Sundance Institute.
“I have sought to use my skills as an artist to bring unheard voices, including Indigenous voices,...
- 12/16/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘Buoyancy’.
Writer-director Rodd Rathjen’s Buoyancy won Best Youth Feature Film at last night’s Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Apsa) in Brisbane.
The award comes just as Rathjen returns to Australia from an Oscar campaign in The States; Buoyancy is Australia’s submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
Produced by Causeway Films’ Sam Jennings and Kristina Ceyton with Rita Walsh, Buoyancy details the story of a 14-year old Cambodian boy (Sarm Heng) who heads to Thailand search of a better life, only to find himself trafficked and enslaved on a fishing trawler.
The story of Buoyancy is inspired by real events, and informed by more than 50 interviews Rathjen conducted with people who had been trafficked onto fishing boats, as well as interviews with local communities, former ship captains and NGOs, and other research. An estimated 200,000 men and boys are thought to be in slavery and forced...
Writer-director Rodd Rathjen’s Buoyancy won Best Youth Feature Film at last night’s Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Apsa) in Brisbane.
The award comes just as Rathjen returns to Australia from an Oscar campaign in The States; Buoyancy is Australia’s submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
Produced by Causeway Films’ Sam Jennings and Kristina Ceyton with Rita Walsh, Buoyancy details the story of a 14-year old Cambodian boy (Sarm Heng) who heads to Thailand search of a better life, only to find himself trafficked and enslaved on a fishing trawler.
The story of Buoyancy is inspired by real events, and informed by more than 50 interviews Rathjen conducted with people who had been trafficked onto fishing boats, as well as interviews with local communities, former ship captains and NGOs, and other research. An estimated 200,000 men and boys are thought to be in slavery and forced...
- 11/22/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Terry Norris and Benedict Hardie in ‘Judy & Punch.’
After portraying a succession of dastardly or less than noble characters in films and TV series, Benedict Hardie welcomed the chance to play someone with at least a few redeeming qualities in Judy & Punch.
In Mirrah Foulkes’ brutal, dark re-interpretation of the puppet play which opens in Australian cinemas on Thursday via Madman Entertainment, he plays Constable Derrick.
The lone cop in the wryly-named inland town of Seaside, Derrick struggles to maintain law and order as Damon Herriman’s narcissistic Punch causes mayhem after his much-abused wife Judy (Mia Wasikowska) vanishes.
“It was such a pleasure to make that film,” he tells If. “The script was like nothing any of us has read. Derrick becomes an emotional touchstone for the audience as an outsider looking at this mad world.
“He’s a quiet, meek and gentle soul who hopes for the...
After portraying a succession of dastardly or less than noble characters in films and TV series, Benedict Hardie welcomed the chance to play someone with at least a few redeeming qualities in Judy & Punch.
In Mirrah Foulkes’ brutal, dark re-interpretation of the puppet play which opens in Australian cinemas on Thursday via Madman Entertainment, he plays Constable Derrick.
The lone cop in the wryly-named inland town of Seaside, Derrick struggles to maintain law and order as Damon Herriman’s narcissistic Punch causes mayhem after his much-abused wife Judy (Mia Wasikowska) vanishes.
“It was such a pleasure to make that film,” he tells If. “The script was like nothing any of us has read. Derrick becomes an emotional touchstone for the audience as an outsider looking at this mad world.
“He’s a quiet, meek and gentle soul who hopes for the...
- 11/17/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
(L-r): Melissa Lee Speyer, Gemma Bird Matheson, Lynette Wallworth.
Screen Australia has put almost $900,000 towards the story development of seven TV dramas, nine online projects, nine features and in an agency first – a podcast.
Podcast Engineering Consciousness, helmed by Emmy Award winner Lynette Wallworth, explores what happens to someone’s consciousness during a near-death experience. The idea is that the podcast will be used as a proof-of-concept for a television drama on the same topic. It will be produced by Bunya Productions’ Sophia Zachariou and Greer Simpkin.
Also on the slate is a live-action feature film from Ludo Studio (Bluey), written and directed by Daley Pearson, and a 10-part fictional TV series about what went on behind the scenes of the iconic Leyland Brothers’ adventures across Australia, created by Daina Reid and produced by Joanna Werner.
This is the first story development round of the year. Screen Australia runs...
Screen Australia has put almost $900,000 towards the story development of seven TV dramas, nine online projects, nine features and in an agency first – a podcast.
Podcast Engineering Consciousness, helmed by Emmy Award winner Lynette Wallworth, explores what happens to someone’s consciousness during a near-death experience. The idea is that the podcast will be used as a proof-of-concept for a television drama on the same topic. It will be produced by Bunya Productions’ Sophia Zachariou and Greer Simpkin.
Also on the slate is a live-action feature film from Ludo Studio (Bluey), written and directed by Daley Pearson, and a 10-part fictional TV series about what went on behind the scenes of the iconic Leyland Brothers’ adventures across Australia, created by Daina Reid and produced by Joanna Werner.
This is the first story development round of the year. Screen Australia runs...
- 11/11/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
The Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Apsa) has revealed the full line-up of the three juries who will determine the winners of its 13th edition.
Award-winning Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo will be the president of the Apsa International Jury and will be assisted by Australian film and television producer Greer Simpkin, Cannes and Venice Film Festival selector Paolo Bertolin, Korean screenwriter, theatre actor and Russian literature specialist Oh Jung-mi and Deputy Chair of the European Film Academy, UK film producer, journalist and activist Mike Downey.
Mr Khoo has been credited for reviving the Singapore film industry and for putting Singapore onto the International film map in 1995. He was the first Singaporean to have his films invited to major film festivals such as Toronto, Busan, Berlin, Telluride, Venice and Cannes and is known for directing films such as the drama “Ramen Shop” (2018), the animated biopic “Tatsumi” and the drama “My Magic” (2008).
Takumi Saitoh...
Award-winning Singaporean filmmaker Eric Khoo will be the president of the Apsa International Jury and will be assisted by Australian film and television producer Greer Simpkin, Cannes and Venice Film Festival selector Paolo Bertolin, Korean screenwriter, theatre actor and Russian literature specialist Oh Jung-mi and Deputy Chair of the European Film Academy, UK film producer, journalist and activist Mike Downey.
Mr Khoo has been credited for reviving the Singapore film industry and for putting Singapore onto the International film map in 1995. He was the first Singaporean to have his films invited to major film festivals such as Toronto, Busan, Berlin, Telluride, Venice and Cannes and is known for directing films such as the drama “Ramen Shop” (2018), the animated biopic “Tatsumi” and the drama “My Magic” (2008).
Takumi Saitoh...
- 11/8/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Leah Purcell on the set of ‘The Drover’s Wife the Legend of Molly Johnson’.
Rob Collins, Sam Reid and Jessica de Gouw have joined the cast of Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife the Legend of Molly Johnson, which is now shooting in Nsw.
Purcell is making her feature directing debut on the revenge Western, a re-imagining of her acclaimed play and Henry Lawson’s classic short story.
Roadshow Films has boarded the film produced by Oombarra Productions’ Bain Stewart and Bunya Productions’ David Jowsey, Angela Littlejohn and Greer Simpkin.
Set in 1893, the plot follows Purcell as the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson who, with her children, struggles to survive hunger and the wild elements. She forms a bond with Yadaka, a runaway Aboriginal who helps her with the birth and burial of her stillborn baby.
When Sergeant Nate Clintoff learns that Molly’s drover husband is missing he...
Rob Collins, Sam Reid and Jessica de Gouw have joined the cast of Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife the Legend of Molly Johnson, which is now shooting in Nsw.
Purcell is making her feature directing debut on the revenge Western, a re-imagining of her acclaimed play and Henry Lawson’s classic short story.
Roadshow Films has boarded the film produced by Oombarra Productions’ Bain Stewart and Bunya Productions’ David Jowsey, Angela Littlejohn and Greer Simpkin.
Set in 1893, the plot follows Purcell as the heavily pregnant Molly Johnson who, with her children, struggles to survive hunger and the wild elements. She forms a bond with Yadaka, a runaway Aboriginal who helps her with the birth and burial of her stillborn baby.
When Sergeant Nate Clintoff learns that Molly’s drover husband is missing he...
- 10/23/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Niki Aken (far right) on the set of Lingo Pictures’ ‘Upright’.
Two Nsw-based emerging producers from diverse backgrounds will have the chance to undertake a six-month, paid industry internship next year, thanks to the Screen Nsw Emerging Producer Placement program.
Applications are now open for the tenth year of the initiative, which aims to uncover emerging producer talent and match it with Nsw production companies best suited to hone their skillset and creative form.
This year one Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander candidate and one candidate from an under-represented group will be selected to spend three months working with the Screen Nsw investment team, headed by Grainne Brunsdon, followed by three months in industry. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend key industry events as part of their internship.
“We know that the talent is out there, but practitioners from under-represented groups often struggle to access the opportunities they need to break through.
Two Nsw-based emerging producers from diverse backgrounds will have the chance to undertake a six-month, paid industry internship next year, thanks to the Screen Nsw Emerging Producer Placement program.
Applications are now open for the tenth year of the initiative, which aims to uncover emerging producer talent and match it with Nsw production companies best suited to hone their skillset and creative form.
This year one Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander candidate and one candidate from an under-represented group will be selected to spend three months working with the Screen Nsw investment team, headed by Grainne Brunsdon, followed by three months in industry. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend key industry events as part of their internship.
“We know that the talent is out there, but practitioners from under-represented groups often struggle to access the opportunities they need to break through.
- 10/10/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Courtney Botfield and Chris Kunz.
Bunya Productions has brought on Courtney Botfield to head up its distribution arm and Chris Kunz to help drive the company’s development slate.
The two new positions have been funded via Screen Australia’s Enterprise program. Bunya was the major recipient of Business & Ideas funding in July, which also allowed the company to hire Jenny Cooney to drive the company’s profile internationally as an executive VP, Bunya Productions La.
Bunya intends to also the Enterprise funding to establish talent development incubators in Queensland and South Australia, capitalise on existing and build new IP, and enhance digital marketing to increase online engagement.
As head of distribution and sales, Botfield will develop the IP and distribution arm across a slate of film, TV and online productions as well as other IP extensions including podcasts, theatre and events. Botfield, a former recipient of the Natalie MIller Fellowship,...
Bunya Productions has brought on Courtney Botfield to head up its distribution arm and Chris Kunz to help drive the company’s development slate.
The two new positions have been funded via Screen Australia’s Enterprise program. Bunya was the major recipient of Business & Ideas funding in July, which also allowed the company to hire Jenny Cooney to drive the company’s profile internationally as an executive VP, Bunya Productions La.
Bunya intends to also the Enterprise funding to establish talent development incubators in Queensland and South Australia, capitalise on existing and build new IP, and enhance digital marketing to increase online engagement.
As head of distribution and sales, Botfield will develop the IP and distribution arm across a slate of film, TV and online productions as well as other IP extensions including podcasts, theatre and events. Botfield, a former recipient of the Natalie MIller Fellowship,...
- 9/12/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Hunter Page-Lochard in Les Norton (Photo credit: Tony Mott).
Hunter Page-Lochard has a ready answer when people ask why he speaks with an Ocker accent as Billy Dunne, the former pro boxer turned Kings Cross casino doorman in the ABC’s Les Norton.
While he is proud of his Aboriginal and American heritage, he says: “I don’t want to be labelled as an Indigenous character. I want to fit in the group of the people that I’m appearing with.”
From his first day on the set of the Roadshow Rough Diamond crime caper with Alexander Bertrand, Justin Rosniak and Steve Le Marquand, he sensed this show was going to be special.
“We found our groove and our characters by watching and flowing off each other,” he tells If. “As someone who had never done comedy before, I needed that confidence. Once we got together it was like, ‘Oh my God,...
Hunter Page-Lochard has a ready answer when people ask why he speaks with an Ocker accent as Billy Dunne, the former pro boxer turned Kings Cross casino doorman in the ABC’s Les Norton.
While he is proud of his Aboriginal and American heritage, he says: “I don’t want to be labelled as an Indigenous character. I want to fit in the group of the people that I’m appearing with.”
From his first day on the set of the Roadshow Rough Diamond crime caper with Alexander Bertrand, Justin Rosniak and Steve Le Marquand, he sensed this show was going to be special.
“We found our groove and our characters by watching and flowing off each other,” he tells If. “As someone who had never done comedy before, I needed that confidence. Once we got together it was like, ‘Oh my God,...
- 9/9/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Aaron Pedersen and Jada Alberts in ‘Mystery Road 2’ (Photo: David Dare Parker).
Swedish actress Sofia Helin, who starred in all four seasons of The Bridge, is co-starring with Aaron Pedersen in the second series of Bunya Productions’ ABC crime drama Mystery Road.
Helin, who played Saga Norén, a homicide detective from Malmö, in the Swedish/Danish film noir crime series which screened here on Sbs, is cast as archaeologist Professor Sondra Elmquist.
The professor is conducting a dig near a remote coastal town when she encounters Pedersen’s Detective Jay Swan, who has moved to the town to be closer to his family and is investigating a grisly case.
Warwick Thornton and Wayne Blair are sharing the directing duties on the six episodes produced by David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin, with Thornton as the Dop.
Two weeks into the 10 weeks shoot in Broome and the Dampier Peninsular, the series is...
Swedish actress Sofia Helin, who starred in all four seasons of The Bridge, is co-starring with Aaron Pedersen in the second series of Bunya Productions’ ABC crime drama Mystery Road.
Helin, who played Saga Norén, a homicide detective from Malmö, in the Swedish/Danish film noir crime series which screened here on Sbs, is cast as archaeologist Professor Sondra Elmquist.
The professor is conducting a dig near a remote coastal town when she encounters Pedersen’s Detective Jay Swan, who has moved to the town to be closer to his family and is investigating a grisly case.
Warwick Thornton and Wayne Blair are sharing the directing duties on the six episodes produced by David Jowsey and Greer Simpkin, with Thornton as the Dop.
Two weeks into the 10 weeks shoot in Broome and the Dampier Peninsular, the series is...
- 7/24/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Hugo Weaving and Jillian Nguyen in ‘Loveland’.
Jillian Nguyen landed her first screen role – as Molly Kane in Justin Kurzel’s True History of the Kelly Gang – just two weeks after graduating from 16th Street Actors Studio in Melbourne last year.
Since then her career has rocketed as she played the lead in Ivan Sen’s romantic sci-fi drama Loveland followed by a key supporting role in Hungry Ghosts, Matchbox Pictures’ genre-bending 4-parter for Sbs directed by Shawn Seet.
There was one speed bump after Kurzel’s film wrapped: She was so depressed she got fired from her retail job. It’s unlikely she will have to go back to such work, as Seet says: “I was blown away by Jillian. She is a real, natural talent.”
Stephen Corvini, who produced Hungry Ghosts with Timothy Hobart, tells If: “She is a superstar in the making. On the screen her energy crackles and pops.
Jillian Nguyen landed her first screen role – as Molly Kane in Justin Kurzel’s True History of the Kelly Gang – just two weeks after graduating from 16th Street Actors Studio in Melbourne last year.
Since then her career has rocketed as she played the lead in Ivan Sen’s romantic sci-fi drama Loveland followed by a key supporting role in Hungry Ghosts, Matchbox Pictures’ genre-bending 4-parter for Sbs directed by Shawn Seet.
There was one speed bump after Kurzel’s film wrapped: She was so depressed she got fired from her retail job. It’s unlikely she will have to go back to such work, as Seet says: “I was blown away by Jillian. She is a real, natural talent.”
Stephen Corvini, who produced Hungry Ghosts with Timothy Hobart, tells If: “She is a superstar in the making. On the screen her energy crackles and pops.
- 7/21/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Bunya Productions’ Greer Simpkin and David Jowsey with Aaron Pedersen on the ‘Mystery Road’ set.
Screen Australia is backing Bunya Productions, Aunty Donna, Mememe Productions and Southern Pictures among the recipients of more than $1.2 million in funding in its latest Enterprise Business & Ideas and Enterprise People initiatives.
Bunya Productions will receive funding to build a talent development network, develop Australian IP and extend the profile of its work overseas.
Comedy group Aunty Donna’s production company Haven’t You Done Well Productions will get support to help online creatives to develop and produce comedy projects and educate creators to ensure they retain the ownership of their projects.
“We were blown away with Bunya Productions’ innovative proposal. Bunya has a strong track record of creating stories for and about Australia that have also gained traction internationally,” said Screen Australia head of development Nerida Moore.
“It’s exciting to see them looking...
Screen Australia is backing Bunya Productions, Aunty Donna, Mememe Productions and Southern Pictures among the recipients of more than $1.2 million in funding in its latest Enterprise Business & Ideas and Enterprise People initiatives.
Bunya Productions will receive funding to build a talent development network, develop Australian IP and extend the profile of its work overseas.
Comedy group Aunty Donna’s production company Haven’t You Done Well Productions will get support to help online creatives to develop and produce comedy projects and educate creators to ensure they retain the ownership of their projects.
“We were blown away with Bunya Productions’ innovative proposal. Bunya has a strong track record of creating stories for and about Australia that have also gained traction internationally,” said Screen Australia head of development Nerida Moore.
“It’s exciting to see them looking...
- 7/10/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Josh Lawson, Evie Macdonald and Grace Feng Fang Juan.
Screen Australia has announced more than $5.7 million in production funding for three features, two children’s TV series and two online projects.
The slate includes a psychological thriller from director Daina Reid and writer Hannah Kent, Run Rabbit Run, and the anticipated film adaptation of Leah Purcell play The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson. Epic Films has also been supported to turn First Day, which won the top prize at Mipcom’s Diversify TV Excellence Awards in Cannes last year, into a full series.
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said: “It’s great to see several established creatives taking on new challenges. Daina Reid has had incredible success in television here and overseas, and we’re excited to see her returning to Australia to direct ghost thriller Run Rabbit Run, the debut screenplay from award-winning author Hannah Kent.
Screen Australia has announced more than $5.7 million in production funding for three features, two children’s TV series and two online projects.
The slate includes a psychological thriller from director Daina Reid and writer Hannah Kent, Run Rabbit Run, and the anticipated film adaptation of Leah Purcell play The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson. Epic Films has also been supported to turn First Day, which won the top prize at Mipcom’s Diversify TV Excellence Awards in Cannes last year, into a full series.
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said: “It’s great to see several established creatives taking on new challenges. Daina Reid has had incredible success in television here and overseas, and we’re excited to see her returning to Australia to direct ghost thriller Run Rabbit Run, the debut screenplay from award-winning author Hannah Kent.
- 6/25/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Kodie Bedford.
When Kodie Bedford sets out to create a project or is offered a writing gig, she looks for three elements: Strong female characters, a regional setting which harks back to her childhood in country Wa, and a genre piece.
So far everything the Indigenous writer has accomplished in her burgeoning career has ticked all three boxes, with credits on Grace Beside Me, Robbie Hood and Mystery Road as well as the horror short Scout, which marks her directing debut.
“I pinch myself every day as I get to tell stories; I am living the dream,” she tells If. She turned to screenwriting after working as a cadet journalist for Sbs before moving to the ABC as a researcher on documentary series Message Sticks.
A graduate of the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Communications and a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Technology, Sydney,...
When Kodie Bedford sets out to create a project or is offered a writing gig, she looks for three elements: Strong female characters, a regional setting which harks back to her childhood in country Wa, and a genre piece.
So far everything the Indigenous writer has accomplished in her burgeoning career has ticked all three boxes, with credits on Grace Beside Me, Robbie Hood and Mystery Road as well as the horror short Scout, which marks her directing debut.
“I pinch myself every day as I get to tell stories; I am living the dream,” she tells If. She turned to screenwriting after working as a cadet journalist for Sbs before moving to the ABC as a researcher on documentary series Message Sticks.
A graduate of the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Communications and a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Technology, Sydney,...
- 5/15/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
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