Final 22 drama projects to receive development support in 2014Screen Australia today announced the final development round for 2014 with $434,600 in feature film, high-end television and talent development funding for 22 projects.
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason said, It has been a fantastic year with a total of 92 stories going through the development program in 2014. We are delighted to support these 22 projects that have broad appeal from the incredible life story of Australia's female aviation pioneer to the comedic reshaping of the classic Romeo and Juliet to an exciting TV series based on an epic Chinese fable. We expect most of these projects will make their way to production in a few years - to eventually charm, shock, and amuse a variety of audiences on screen.
Screen Australia Creative Director, Veronica Gleeson said, It gives me the greatest pleasure to end the year with this announcement of support for projects with such imaginative reach, artistic courage and the capacity to entertain and compel. The volume and range of truly strong stories about and by women is particularly encouraging.
Screen Australia will fund thirteen new and six previously funded features, one new high-end TV project, and two new placements.
The team behind the multi-award winning team 52 Tuesdays (writer/producer Sophie Hyde, producer Rebecca Summerton, and writers Matthew Cormack and Sophie Hyde) will commence development on Modern Romance, a dual narrative drama that explores love, work and commitment across two very different realms. Sophie is also on board to direct the drama romance film.
In a story inspired by true events, producer Jodi Matterson, director Darren Ashton and writer Harry Cripps will bring aspects of trailblazing female aviator Nancy Birds travails to imaginative life in Little Bird.
Writer Chris Nyst returns to comedic crime with Mr Cranky, the tale of an angry debt collector whose life is transformed when he takes responsibility for his estranged daughter. Fresh off Broadchurch 2, director of The Railway Man Jonathan Teplitzky will direct with Chris Brown set to produce.
Director Gemma Lee, producer Raquelle David and writer Charlie Clausen will tackle a sci-fi coming-of-age story with Blackwood. The film is about a teenage girl who in the aftermath of a natural disaster must decide if she will search for her father or seek shelter with a young man she has just met.
Writer Mira Robertson and producer Jane Liscombe will develop the teen runaway caper Cherry Bomb with Gallipoli's Glendyn Ivin set to direct.
Sleeping Beauty producer Jessica Brentnall will work with writer Joel Anderson on the provocative and unsettling drama Female Pleasure. The film is about a woman whose world is turned upside down when her fianc makes a bizarre request.
Writer Sarah Lambert will adapt psychological thriller Mice with the support of producers Anna Vincent and Tim White. Based on the best-selling novel by Gordon Reece, Mice tells the story of a teenager and her mother, victims of bullying who snap when an intruder threatens to shatter their newfound tranquil home.
Writer Beatrix Christian continues development work on Rosa with producers Su Armstrong, Emma Slade, Barrie Osborne, and Dan Hennah with renowned director Ray Lawrence at the helm.
On-the-rise directing talent Isabel Peppard will receive support to write her original horror monster movie Silk with producer Lizzette Atkins.
Director Kay Pavlou will collaborate with writer Geoffrey Atherden on a Greek comedy/drama Trapeze with producer Rosemary Blight. The film tells the story of a woman struck by a family curse to never find love.
Writer/director Elissa Down and producer Tristram Miall will develop Mr and Mrs Montague. A romantic comedy which reimagines the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet as if they never died ten years on their passion has soured, jeopardising Veronas cult industry thriving on their memory
Finally, director Jennifer Kent, the rising talent who brought us 2014's breakout international award-winning indie hit, The Babadook, will commence development on her intergenerational drama Whoever Brought Me Here.
Previously funded projects Berlin Syndrome, Jamaica, Julian Corkle Is A Filthy Liar, Madams, A Man With No Enemies and The Wiggles Pandamonium! will receive further support through the Development program.
See-Saw Productions are expanding their television slate and international broadcaster relationships with an audacious re-imagining of an epic Chinese story. Writer/show runner Louise Fox will helm the pilot with the producers of The King's Speech, Emile Sherman, and Iain Canning, plus Jamie Laurenson and Rachel Gardner.
Screen Australia will support two industry placements for directors. Neil Triffett will spend 6 months in Los Angeles working in the development department of Lin Pictures (The Lego Movie, Sherlock Holmes). Erin Good will work with director Kriv Stenders (Red Dog, Kill Me Three Times) on the television production of The Principal with Essential Media and Entertainment.
SINGLE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT: FEATURE DEVELOPMENT
BERLIN SYNDROME
Genre Thriller
Producer Polly Staniford
Executive Producer Angie Fielder
Director Cate Shortland
Writer Shaun Grant
Synopsis A passionate holiday romance leads to an obsessive relationship when an Australian photojournalist wakes one morning in a Berlin apartment and is unable to leave.
BLACKWOOD
Genre Thriller
Producer Raquelle David
Executive Producer Tait Brady
Director Gemma Lee
Writer Charlie Clausen
Synopsis In the aftermath of a natural disaster, a teenage girl sets out to find her estranged father. When she meets a young man whos convinced the world is coming to an end, she must decide what the real dangers are, or risk never seeing her father again.
CHERRY BOMB
Genre Drama
Producer Jane Liscombe
Directo
