Screen Australia empowers 100+ distinctive Australian narratives

01 05 2025 - Media release Screen Australia empowers 100 distinctive Australian narratives

All The Boys Are Here writer/director Goran Stolevski and It s All Going Very Well No Problems At All writer/director/producer/star Tilda Cobham-Hervey (Tilda photo credit Matt Loxton).

Screen Australia has today announced a significant investment for local scripted projects, reflecting the agency's commitment to rich Australian narrative content and meaningful creator pathways.

Across feature film, television and online, $7.6 million has been shared across more than 100 projects, contributing a substantial amount to the overall direct production and development funding provided in the 24/25 financial year so far. The mix of projects showcases a wide range of themes and formats, speaking to the evolving scripted landscape and highlighting the importance of reaching Australian audiences where they are watching.

Among the projects is the debut feature film from writer/director/producer/star Tilda Cobham-Hervey set in an aged care home, It's All Going Very Well No Problems At All; animated children's series Jidoo & Ibis, about the relationship between a grumpy Grandpa and Australia's beloved bin chicken; comedy series for TikTok CEEBS about two friends on a mission to save their local youth centre from imminent closure; and a series inspired by a true story, DIVA, about 21-year-old Elly who balances his strict, religious Samoan life with ambitions of becoming a professional wrestler in drag.

Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said, Screen Australia is uniquely positioned to support a thriving pipeline of Australian stories that connect with audiences across multiple platforms and genres. This funding reflects our commitment to both emerging and established creatives, reinforcing the strength and diversity of our industry.

Demand on Screen Australia funding remains high, and our recent survey was a reminder of the value that the sector places on our direct funding. In an ever-changing landscape, one thing remains constant Australian screen storytelling is a vital cultural force that continues to resonate with audiences here at home and across the world. We're proud to back this extensive collection of distinct and ambitious projects, said Gough.

Screen Australia has also supported 11 major television series for production to be announced in coming months, sharing in $12 million of direct funding and with a total production value of over $117 million. The agency has recently supported Stan Original Series' He Had it Coming and comedy-horror Gnomes. Also recently announced is Bus Stop Films' first feature film Boss Cat, beginning production in June and starring Olivia Hargroder, Penny Downie and Julia Savage.

The supported projects include:

It's All Going Very Well No Problems At All: This drama is the debut feature film from writer/director Tilda Cobham-Hervey (A Field Guide to Being a 12 Year Old Girl, I am Woman) and is produced by Liam Heyen (Jimpa, Latecomers), Dev Patel (Lion, Monkey Man), Jomon Thomas (Hotel Mumbai, Monkey Man) and Cobham-Hervey, with Natalya Pavchinskaya and Cyna Strachan executive producing. The film follows Audrey (Cobham-Hervey), a young artist teetering on the edge of a quiet collapse, who finds solace and understanding through a profound connection with Harold, an elderly resident at the care home where she works. Major production investment from Screen Australia and S'ya Concept in association with the South Australian Film Corporation, with support from the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund. Local distribution by Kismet. The film is a Mad Ones and Minor Realm production.

Jidoo & Ibis: Inspired by the real-life shenanigans between the creator's father and the hungry bin chickens who flock to his garden, Jidoo & Ibis is from writer/producer Wendy Hanna (Beep & Mort) with writers Michael Drake (Beep & Mort) and Clare Madsen (Little J & Big Cuz). It is a 40-part animated series in development for young pre-schoolers about unexpected problems and unexpected friendships told through the relationship between grumpy Grandpa Jidoo and an all too familiar larrikin, Ibis.

CEEBS: This 18-part comedy for TikTok is from director Harry Lloyd (Rock Island Mysteries) and writers Betiel Beyin and Leigh Lule, some of the team behind Turn up the Volume. Nikki Tran (Girl, Interpreted) and Amie Batalibasi (Blackbird) are producing. CEEBS follows recent high-school graduates, Zion and Ruby, as they run for Youth President' to save their local youth centre from imminent closure all while trying to ensure their lifelong friendship doesn't get caught in the crossfire. It has received principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with VicScreen.

DIVA: Inspired by a true story, DIVA is created by producer Jessica Magro (Bad Ancestors) and executive producer Jason Dewhurst, working alongside producer Lauren Brown (Thou Shalt Not Steal) and writer Nick Coyle (Bump, It's Fine, I'm Fine). It is also executive produced by Charlie Aspinwall and Daley Pearson. This eight-part series in development from Ludo Studio and Purple Carrot Entertainment follows 21-year-old Elly as he attempts to balance his strict, religious Samoan life and his secret queer identity as a professional wrestler in drag.

Dreamboat: A feature comedy in development celebrating the enduring power of BFFs, second chances, and embracing life's next chapter, from writer Joan Sauers (Ladies in Black, Wakefield), producers Courtney Botfield and Kate Riedl, script editor Megan Simpson Huberman and script consultant Zo Coombs Marr. In Dreamboat, Suzy's plans for a cruisy retirement are capsized when best friend, Val, takes her on a cruise to Antarctica.

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LINK:	https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2025/05-01-sa-...
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