Screen Australia announces Narrative Content funding for 91 projects, including four short films paired with industry mentors 1 April 2026
Screen Australia has today announced $20.4 million of production and development funding across 91 narrative projects, including the first projects through its new Short Film Production Funding Program.
Among the titles is a new season of the award-winning children's series Little J & Big Cuz, an untitled Official Australian/Canadian Co-production feature film marking Cody Fern's directorial debut, animated mystery musical direct-to-audience series The Art of Murder for YouTube, and family film Silver Beach (working title).
Sundowner, The Novelty, Inferno and Lazy Love (Lasagne 365) are the first short films to receive production funding through the new program, marking the agency's return to direct investment in the format and reaffirming its vital role in the careers of future feature filmmakers. Alongside this support, participating teams will receive professional mentorship from an exceptional cohort of industry directors whose insight will help strengthen skills, elevate projects and support pathways to extended narrative production. Mentors include Beck Cole (High Country, Deadloch), Isobel Knowles and Van Sowerwine (The World Came Flooding In, Passenger), Noora Niasari (Shayda) and Goran Stolevski (Of An Age).
Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said, The range of these 91 projects showcases the depth, diversity and bold creativity of local storytellers, shaped with Australia's unique blend of humour, style and perspective. We're particularly lucky to have industry figures of such calibre to mentor the four directors of our Short Film Program, guiding them to hone their unique, imaginative shorts for cinema and festival audiences. No doubt this experience will help the short film teams to grow their craft, build recognition and eventually move toward long form storytelling.
Some of the supported projects include:
The Laugh of Lakshmi: A debut feature film about a mother and a son separated by a civil war from acclaimed theatre writer/director S. Shakthidharan (Counting and Cracking, The Jungle and The Sea). Written and directed by Shakthi and produced by award-winning producers John Maynard (Balibo), Vivek Rangachari (The Lunchbox) and executive producer Bridget Ikin (Sherpa, Look Both Ways). The Laugh of Lakshmi is filmed in Northern Sri Lanka and Western Sydney in Tamil and English. Major production investment from Screen Australia, in association with the Felix Foundation and Palmera. Financed with support from Screen NSW. Local distribution by Footprint Films and international sales by Maze Film Sales.
Untitled Feature Film: An Official Australian/Canadian Co-production and the feature directorial debut from actor Cody Fern starring Naomi Watts, Sarah Paulson, Odessa A'zion, Dianne Wiest and Toby Wallace. The film centres on a celebrated actress whose life begins to unravel on the eve of her greatest performance. Produced by Matilda Comers and Will Howarth for Fictious, alongside Nancy Grant (Mommy, Sentimental Value) and Rosalie Chicoine Perreault (Geographies of Solitude), the film has received major production investment from Telefilm Canada and Screen Australia. Distributed by Icon in Australia and Elevation Pictures in Canada. International sales by mk2.
Fortitude Valley: Written, created and executive produced by Moving Floor Entertainment co-founders Stephen M Irwin and Leigh McGrath (Harrow), with Hunter Page-Lochard (Reckless, Beep and Mort), this gripping six-part crime thriller stars Page-Lochard and acclaimed actress Kat Stewart. Filmed and set in Queensland's capital city, the series explores family secrets, the corrupting force of power and the complicated truths behind lies. Fortitude Valley is directed by Sian Davies (Black Snow), produced by Andrew Walker (Deadloch) and co-produced by Ross Allsop (The Artful Dodger), with executive producer Greg Sitch (Fisk). Major production investment from Screen Australia, the ABC and Screen Queensland. International sales by DCD Rights.
Little J & Big Cuz Series 5: The award-winning animated children's series for NITV and the ABC returns for a fifth season. From director and Trawlwoolway man Tony Thorne, the series follows five-year-old Little J and nine-year-old Big Cuz, two First Nations Australian kids who, with the help of Nanna and their teacher Ms Chen, find out all about culture, community and Country. Co-produced by Ned Lander Media and First Nations company Ramu Productions, the series has received major production investment from Screen Australia and the ABC, in association with NITV. Financed with support from the Australian Children's Television Foundation with Vicscreen, Screen Tasmania and the Australian Council for Educational Research. International sales by the Australian Children's Television Foundation.
Agata the Writer: A debut feature from Polish-born Australian writer/director/video artist Kuba Dorabialski and produced by Alex White (Babyteeth). Mia Wasikowska stars as a Polish-Australian satirical novelist who travels from Sydney to Sarajevo to write a war novel. Challenged by locals who question her motives, her creative uncertainty grows while a startling mystery unfolds. Executive produced by Erik Black, Mia Wasikowski and Al mais, Agata the Writer has received principal production funding from Screen Australia. Financed with support from Creative Australia and the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund. Local distribution by Bonsai Films.
The Art of Murder: An animated series to be released on YouTube from Choc Chip Animation Studios. Spearheaded by sisters Nirali Somaia (writer/director) and Anokhi Somaia (writer/producer), this murder mystery musical is a love letter to pop culture
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Screen Australia announces Narrative Content funding for 91 projects, including four short films paired with industry mentors 1 April 2026
