16 10 2019 - Media release Screen Australia announces $1.4 million in production funding
Macario De Souza on 6 Festivals
Screen Australia has announced production funding for three feature films and one online project which will share in a total of $1.4 million.
The slate includes supernatural drama You Won't Be Alone from writer/director Goran Stolevski and producers Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings from Causeway Films; and 6 Festivals, a drama centred on a group of friends who commit to a bucket list of music festivals over one summer from writer/director Macario De Souza.
Also receiving funding are writer/director Tyson Johnston's Streamline, about a prospective teen Olympic swimmer; and Moments of Clarity, an online animated comedy about the existential truths of ordinary life from writer/director Tim Logan.
All of the feature directors are making their drama debuts, with Tim Logan also making his directorial debut.
Screen Australia's Head of Content, Sally Caplan said: We are really pleased to support so many debuts in this slate and I'm confident this will mark the start of very successful careers and some great Australian stories.
Although Screen Australia continues to see a low number of feature film production funding applications with female directors attached, industry-wide data released in August showed that the number of female directors working on feature films has increased marginally. Recently there have been a number of successful features from debut directors including Rachel Griffiths with box office hit Ride Like A Girl, Unjoo Moon with I Am Woman (TIFF World Premiere) and Shannon Murphy's Babyteeth (Venice Film Festival World Premiere). All three films received principal production funding from Screen Australia.
The feature film projects are
6 Festivals: A coming of age story about three music-loving teens, Summer, Maxie and James, who make a pact to go to six music festivals in six months when James is diagnosed with brain cancer. Along the way they meet an up-and-coming music artist who helps the trio face the reality from which they're running. Driven by music at current Australian festivals and featuring cameo appearances from popular artists, this project is the first feature drama from writer/director Macario De Souza (Bra Boys). De Souza is joined by producers Michael Wrenn (Three Summers), Blayke Hoffman (Poo Bear: Afraid of Forever), Shannon Wilson-McClinton (Hearts and Bones), Jade van der Lei (The Butterfly Tree) and executive producer Mark Fennessy (Mystify). 6 Festivals is financed with support from Universal Music Australia and festival partners include Groovin The Moo, Lost Paradise, The Drop and Big Pineapple.
Streamline: A drama that centres on gifted 15-year-old swimmer, Benjamin Boy Lane, who is training for the Australian Olympic team but his preparations are derailed when his violent father returns from prison. To succeed in the pool, Boy must confront not only his father but also the darkest parts of himself. This is the first feature film from writer/director Tyson Johnston who draws on his own experience as a teenage competitive swimmer. The film will star Levi Miller (Jasper Jones) as Boy along with Jason Isaacs, and five-time Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe is on board to mentor Miller throughout production. Streamline will be produced by Blake Northfield and Nathan Walker of Bronte Pictures (Escape and Evasion) and executive produced by Clement Dunn (2067) and Jane Corden (Escape and Evasion). This project is financed with support from Rebellion Studios and the Gold Coast Council.
You Won't Be Alone: A supernatural drama and debut feature film from writer/director Goran Stolevski (Nowhere Boys). Set in an isolated mountain village in 19th century Macedonia, this film tells the story of a young witch who is left to go feral in the woods. Becoming curious about life as a human, she kills a woman in the village, then takes her shape to see what life is like in her skin. This ignites her deep-seated curiosity to experience life inside the bodies of others. This project is produced by Causeway Films' Kristina Ceyton (The Nightingale) and Samantha Jennings (Buoyancy). It is financed with support from Film Victoria.
In addition to the above slate, completion funding was supplied to See Picture's comedy feature June Again. Written and directed by JJ Winlove and produced by Jamie Hilton, Michael Pontin and Drew Bailey, the film stars Noni Hazelhurst, Claudia Karvan and Stephen Curry.
The funded feature film blocklines can be found here
The online project is
Moments of Clarity: A 24 x 1 minute animated series for YouTube, Facebook and Instagram which follows neurotic 30-year-old Tim and his wise little dog Ra, as they confront the truths of everyday life and try to figure out the world around them. Building from the comic strip of the same name, this project is written and directed by comedian Tim Logan (Noirhouse), co-created with artist Jess Murray, and features Logan's voice along with other Australian comedians. It is produced by Paul Moran and executive produced by Alicia Rackett who previously worked together on animated series Dumbotz. Moments of Clarity has been developed with support from Screen Tasmania.
The full list of funded online blocklines can be found here
DRAMA PRODUCTION FUNDING AT SCREEN AUSTRALIA In 2018/19, Screen Australia invested over $44 million in 81 projects through its drama production funding programs. This included 20 features, 17 television shows, eight children's television programs and 36 online projects.
Note: Drama (narrative) production funding only. Project count includes variations. Online funding includes projects funded through Skip Ahead.
--
Related MaterialsDownload PDF
Media enquiries Jessica Parry | Senior Publicist
61 2 8
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
11/09/2025
SBS shares Australian National Anthem in over 60 languages to foster belonging a...
05/09/2025
SBS kicks off a confident slate with the 2026 FIFA World Cup 2026 , premium dram...
05/09/2025
Today's Historic Settlement Underscores SBS's Powerful New Series The Pe...
04/09/2025
SBS kicks off a confident slate with the 2026 FIFA World Cup2026 , premium drama...
04/09/2025
Watch the Record-breaking Koori Knockout 2025 LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on NITV and SBS...
03/09/2025
World-first opt-out function to become full feature on SBS On Demand
3 September, 2025
Media releases
National broadcaster SBS will elevate the world-class...
03/09/2025
SBS On Demand to take consumer experience to next level with introduction of res...
03/09/2025
SBS highlights effectiveness of advertising in uncluttered environments
3 September, 2025
Media releases
New market-first research, done in conjunction wit...
03/09/2025
SBS extends exclusive Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift free-to-air broadcast dea...
03/09/2025
Record number of brands driving investment in NITV and First Nations media
3 September, 2025
Media releases
Beyond 3% continues to support the growth of Na...
03/09/2025
SBS declares FIFA World Cup 2026 Will be biggest TV audience event of 2026'
3 September, 2025
FIFA World Cup
SBS names Hyundai, Macca's, Rexona, ...
03/09/2025
SBS continues to lead Australian media in sustainability with launch of SBS Brie...
03/09/2025
SBS unifies data offering with launch of SBS Data Lab
3 September, 2025
Media releases
SBS brings together multiple audience initiatives together in one un...
03/09/2025
Turbulence, Heart and Humanity: SBS Unveils High-Flying New Airport Drama The Ch...
29/08/2025
Australian Red Cross and SBS launch training to help workplaces in the fight aga...
27/08/2025
27 08 2025 - Media release ABC, Screen Australia and ACTF unveil two new original children's series
Happy House.
The ABC, Screen Australia and the Austra...
25/08/2025
Watch SBS as 49 World Champions are crowned in nine days at the World Athletics ...
25/08/2025
Got a podcast idea? SBS Audio opens annual pitch season
25 August, 2025
Media releases
Three-time Australian Podcast Publisher of the Year, SBS, invites th...
21/08/2025
Statement on Acting Managing Director arrangements at SBS
21 August, 2025
Insights & articles
The SBS Board of Directors has today confirmed it will appoin...
20/08/2025
SBS unleashes landmark docu-drama The People vs Robodebt
20 August, 2025
Media releases
Our Government. Half a Million Victims [1]. Zero Accountability Un...
20/08/2025
Dan Bourchier appointed General Manager of NITV
20 August, 2025
Media releases
The respected journalist, presenter and accomplished leader will join Nation...
14/08/2025
Statement on the passing of David Stratton
14 August, 2025
Insights & articles
Statement by SBS Managing Director, James Taylor
SBS is deeply saddened by...
12/08/2025
SBS Managing Director James Taylor steps down
12 August, 2025
Media releases
SBS Managing Director will depart the organisation later this year
SBS Managi...
12/08/2025
Millions join SBS for a month of Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes action
12 August, 2025
Media releases
Total TV Reach of 5.57 million, including 1...
11/08/2025
11 08 2025 - Media release Screen Australia celebrates emerging creatives and cu...
07/08/2025
A bold new sporting documentary series celebrating First Nations athletes, cultu...
06/08/2025
SBS heralds sweeping historical drama King & Conqueror coming soon
5 August, 2025
Media releases
James Norton and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau star as the rivals ...
31/07/2025
31 07 2025 - Media release The Creators 2025 Participants Announced
Top (L-R): Tamara Asmar, Anna Barnes and Sarah Bassiuoni.
Bottom (L-R): Glen Dolman, Mich...
24/07/2025
NITV and SBS to celebrate the significance and spectacle of the 25th Garma Festi...
24/07/2025
Pure Drama continues with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift hot on the wheels...
23/07/2025
SBS shortlists proponents to proceed to next stage for Western Sydney production...
21/07/2025
SBS reveals expert commentary team for the World Athletics Championships in Toky...
21/07/2025
21 07 2025 - Media release Australian gamemakers level-up with major funding from Screen Australia
Retopia
New games capture distinctive stories, landscapes ...
09/07/2025
Explore Love Without Limits in a bold, funny and unapologetic SBS Audio podcast ...
08/07/2025
SBS strengthens commitment to inclusion with new commissioning guidelines
8 July, 2025
Media releases
SBS has launched new Commissioning Inclusion Guidelin...
08/07/2025
Secrets, Spies and Sabotage: 40 years on, SBS podcast investigates historic bomb...
07/07/2025
SBS Farewells Chair George Savvides AM
7 July, 2025
Media releases
Born of Greek Cypriot parents, Mr Savvides joined the SBS Board as Deputy Chair in Febru...
30/06/2025
SBS On Demand boosts global news offering with launch of France 24 FAST Channel
30 June, 2025
Media releases
SBS is expanding its international news offeri...
27/06/2025
27 06 2025 - Media release Game, set, action! Screen Australia and ABC announce new mini-series Goolagong
Marton Csokas and Lila McGuire of Goolagong. Image c...
26/06/2025
Buckle up for Great Australian Road Trips launching 31 July on SBS and SBS On De...
20/06/2025
Hit, run, oh sh#t: NITV and SBS get RECKLESS with filming underway in Western Au...
13/06/2025
Pure Drama and Fierce Rivalries set to dominate the world's most iconic spor...
12/06/2025
50 Years Strong: SBS and NITV Supercharge NAIDOC Week 2025 in a joint 50th celeb...
06/06/2025
06 06 2025 - Media release Award-Winning TV Creators Richard Gadd, Sally Wainwri...
03/06/2025
Stories of love, loyalty and self-discovery among six shortlisted Digital Origin...
28/05/2025
SBS celebrates 50 years of reflecting a diverse and contemporary Australia
28 May, 2025
Media releases
Marking 50 years of broadcasting on 9 June 2025, SBS...
28/05/2025
ABS and Verticloud announce a Strategic Partnership to accelerate Digital Transf...
22/05/2025
SBS and Screen Australia showcase the next wave of Australian storytellers with ...
22/05/2025
Rune Pedersen unpacks How Humans Talk in new SBS Audio podcast
22 May, 2025
Media releases
Ever caught yourself using baby talk with your pet and wondered ...
16 10 2019 - Media release Screen Australia announces $1.4 million in production funding 
