Screen Australia announces over $6.9 million of production funding for 11 projects

14 12 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $6.9 million of production funding for 11 projects

Spooky Files season 1

Screen Australia has announced five feature films, one television drama, one children's program and four online projects, including a virtual reality (VR) experience, that will share in over $6.9 million of production funding.

Among the projects greenlit for production is The Correspondent, the latest feature film from acclaimed director Kriv Stenders, known for his work on Red Dog and Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan. This film delves into the challenges faced by an Australian journalist reporting in Egypt. Beloved children's program Spooky Files returns with season 2, continuing the escapades of the Spooky Crew as they embark on a new adventure through another dimension. VR experience Heroes sheds light on the confronting realities faced by four children living in a war zone. Rounding out this dynamic line up is the highly anticipated second season of Last King of the Cross on Paramount .

Screen Australia's Director of Content Grainne Brunsdon said, We're delighted to unveil this latest slate of productions, with each project exemplifying the power of storytelling and brilliant filmmaking across a range of genres and platforms. From diverse voices to innovative visions, these narratives showcase the boundless creativity at the heart of our thriving screen industry, and we can't wait for audiences to immerse themselves in these extraordinary tales.

The funded feature films are:

Kangaroo: A heart-warming family comedy about ex-tv personality, Chris Masterson who becomes stranded in an outback town after a car accident on his way to Broome. There, he forms an unlikely friendship with 11-year-old Indigenous girl Charlie. In Kangaroo, Chris and Charlie work together to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned joeys in the remote but stunning outback community - an endeavour that proves to be life-changing for them both. Kate Woods (The Lincoln Lawyer, The Umbrella Academy, Looking for Alibrandi) is directing and Harry Cripps (The Dry) is writing, with additional writing by Melina Marchetta (Looking for Alibrandi). Also attached are producers David Jowsey (True Colours), Greer Simpkin (Sweet Country), Rachel Clements (MaveriX) and Trisha Morton-Thomas (8MMM Aboriginal Radio). Executive producing is Anna Marsh, Ron Halpern, Elizabeth Trotman and Marcus Gillezeau from STUDIOCANAL and Louise Smith and Marian Macgowan. It is financed in association with Screen Territory with support from Screen NSW. STUDIOCANAL are distributing locally and managing international sales.

One More Shot: On New Year's Eve 1999, Minnie discovers a bottle of time travelling tequila that takes her back to the start of the night in this time loop comedy. Armed with this mysterious bottle of tequila, she hopes to win the heart of on-again-off-again-old-flame Joe, but no matter what she does, she can't escape herself. One More Shot is directed by Nicholas Clifford (Monologue) and written by Alice Foulcher and Gregory Erdstein, whose credits include That's Not Me. Nick Batzias and Virginia Whitwell of Nitram and Nude Tuesday are producing alongside Jim Wright and Elise Trenorden of Monologue and This is Going to be Big. It is financed in association with the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Premiere Fund and VicScreen. Handling local distribution is Madman Entertainment, and it has been developed with the assistance of Scripted Ink and Screenwest.

Red Rock Run: This family feature film follows 10-year-old Lucy who is forbidden from attending the 1978 regional athletic trials as punishment for racing a delivery plane on a remote dirt airstrip. But with the help of her grandmother, she defies her Vietnam veteran father and enters the first kids' team into the Red Rock Run, a gruelling 120km outback marathon race. The film is directed by Cathy Randall (Hey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburger), written by Meg Shields and produced by Miriam Stein (Hey, Hey, It's Esther Blueburger). Red Rock Run is financed in association with Screenwest and Lotterywest, Screen NSW and Spectrum Entertainment. Icon Film Distribution is handling local distribution, with international sales managed by Parkland Pictures. The film is developed with the assistance of Screenwest and Lotterywest, Icon Film Distribution and Screen NSW.

Spit: In the sequel to the award-winning crime comedy, Gettin' Square, ex-junkie John Spitieri returns to Australia, only to find himself locked up in an Immigration Detention Centre with a massive target on his back. But as old enemies come looking for him, determined to settle old scores, he also makes new friends amongst the detainees, teaches them his version of mateship and what it means to be truly Australian. Spit is from director Jonathan Teplitzky, writer Chris Nyst and producers Greg Duffy (Last Cab to Darwin) and Trish Lake, whose credits include Gettin' Square. Also producing are Felicity McVay and David Wenham (The Furnace). Faramarz K-Rahber (Journey Beyond Fear) and Sofya Gollan (Swallowing) are attached as consultants. It is financed in association with Screen Queensland. Local distribution is by Transmission Films and international sales are managed by Moviehouse Entertainment.

The Correspondent: December 2013, in the shadow of the Great Pyramids of Egypt, Australian journalist Peter Greste is confronted with the brutal realities of reporting from one of the most dangerous cities on earth. Accused of terrorism, Greste becomes a pawn in the middle of a deadly game full of corrupt officials and ancient rivalries with only his wits keeping him alive. The Correspondent is directed by Kriv Stenders (Red Dog, Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan), written by Peter Duncan (Operation Buffalo, Rake) and produced by Car

LINK:	https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2023/12-14-pro...
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