Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Zoe Pepper's debut feature film Birthright heading into production in Western Australia this year

06/07/2023

06 07 2023 - Media release Zoe Pepper's debut feature film Birthright heading into production in Western Australia this year

Birthright writer/director Zoe Pepper and producer Cody Greenwood

Screen Australia and Screenwest have announced that Western Australian feature film Birthright, is set to head into production in WA this year having now secured support from Screenwest, Screen Australia and Madman.

Birthright is a 90-minute dark comedy feature film from writer/director Zoe Pepper (Lift, The Big Spaghetti), producer Cody Greenwood (Under The Volcano, Girl Like You) and executive producer John Maynard (Romulus, My Father, The Boys).

The film was the 2022 recipient of Screenwest's highly coveted West Coast Visions initiative, which is designed to uncover, inspire and develop talented and motivated WA filmmakers with distinctive visions to produce their debut feature film in WA. Through this initiative, Birthright secured $750,000 production funding from Screenwest and has since secured Screen Australia production funding and Madman as ANZ distributor, giving the project the green light for production.

Birthright follows Cory and Jasmine, who are a professional couple in their 30s and are eight months pregnant. But when Corey loses his job, they are forced to move back in with his retiree parents until they get back on their feet. As their stay extends, Cory fixates on his parents' wealth and decides the only way to achieve the success he always imagined, is to do something unimaginable.

Screen Australia's Head of Content Grainne Brunsdon said, With the high-quality storytelling coming out of the Western Australian film industry, we are proud to support talented teams like Zoe Pepper, Cody Greenwood and John Maynard to bring their creative vision for the film to fruition.

I am confident that the team behind Birthright will do an excellent job at delivering the visuals and humour needed to make this production come to life providing an engaging insight into the themes of family and personal survival, said Brunsdon.

Screenwest is thrilled to see Birthright heading into production in what will be Western Australia's biggest year of screen production ever. The film is quintessentially Australian with global sensibilities, and we look forward to supporting Zoe and Cody as they bring it to life, said Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO.

Zoe has let loose with Birthright. It is a dark, funny and wild ride. It s a timely story that taps into a conversation about the housing affordability crisis and a powerplay between Baby Boomers and their Millennial children. We re thrilled to now have Screenwest, Screen Australia and Madman on board and we can't wait to kick off production in Perth later this year, said producer Cody Greenwood.

Birthright has the ingredients to become a buzzy festival film mixing social satire and thriller elements. Zoe Pepper's writing will attract talent and we have full confidence in the producing team to deliver a tense, thought-provoking tragicomedy, said Paul Wiegard, CoFounder & CEO, Madman Entertainment.

Birthright is set to head into production in Western Australia later this year.

Production credit: Birthright is a Rush Films production. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest. Local distribution by Madman Entertainment. Post, digital and visual effects supported by Sandbox Productions. Developed with the assistance of Screenwest.

Download PDF

Screenwest Media Contact Lauren Elliott | Public Relations Executive

61 8 6169 2115 | [email protected]

Media enquiries Maddie Walsh | Publicist

61 2 8113 5915 | [email protected]

Ted Rose | Senior Publicist

61 2 8113 1091 | 61 456 558 679 | ted.rose@screenaustralia.gov.au

All other general/non-media enquiries

Sydney 61 2 8113 5800 | Melbourne 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]
LINK: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2023/07-06-bir...
See more stories from screenaustralia

More from Screen Aus

30/11/2023

Screen Australia announces 14 placements through BTL: Next Step Stage 2

30 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces 14 placements through BTL: Next Step Stage 2 Image courtesy: Screen Warriors Screen Australia has annou...

29/11/2023

Screen Australia announces over $1.7 million for seven documentaries

29 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $1.7 million for seven documentaries Deeper Screen Australia has announced three documentaries fun...

23/11/2023

Screen Australia announces over $900,000 in development funding for 31 projects

23 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $900,000 in development funding for 31 projects Wishes Screen Australia has announced 18 feature f...

10/11/2023

Cameras roll in Canberra on new ABC comedy Austin

09 11 2023 - Media release Cameras roll in Canberra on new ABC comedy Austin Austin - Ben Miller, Michael Theo, Sally Phillips Screen Australia, ABC, ITV Stu...

10/11/2023

Screen Australia, SBS and NITV announce Digital Originals shortlist for 2023

10 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia, SBS and NITV announce Digital Originals shortlist for 2023 Screen Australia Digital Originals Workshop. Image by ...

09/11/2023

Kangaroo Beach to return for a third series

09 11 2023 - Media release Kangaroo Beach to return for a third series Kangaroo Beach Series 3 Screen Australia and ABC are thrilled to announce that a third...

09/11/2023

Screen Australia and ABC announce TV adaptation of Shaun Tan's Tales From Outer Suburbia

09 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce TV adaptation of Sh...

08/11/2023

Applications Open for Screen Australia's Enterprise 2024 Program

08 11 2023 - Media release Applications Open for Screen Australia's Enterprise 2024 Program Behind the scenes of Total Control 3 - Wayne Blair, Jub Clerc ...

02/11/2023

Drama Report 2022/23: $2.34 billion spent in Australia from 213 productions

02 11 2023 - Media release Drama Report 2022/23: $2.34 billion spent in Australia from 213 productions NCIS: Sydney, The New Boy, Ginger and the Vegesaurs. S...

01/11/2023

Daisy Ridley set to star in Zak Hilditch's new film We Bury the Dead in Western Australia

01 11 2023 - Media release Daisy Ridley set to star in Zak Hilditch's new fi...

31/10/2023

Deirdre Brennan appointed as new Screen Australia CEO

31 10 2023 - Media release Deirdre Brennan appointed as new Screen Australia CEO Screen Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Deirdre Brennan a...

31/10/2023

Screen Australia announces participants in Access Coordinator Training Program

31 10 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces participants in Access Coordinator Training Program Access Coordinator Training Program workshop in Sydn...

31/10/2023

Screen Australia and NITV announce Journey Home - David Gulpilil

31 10 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and NITV announce Journey Home - David Gulpilil Writer/director/producers Maggie Miles and Trisha Morton-Thomas, a...

30/10/2023

South Australian-Made feature film With or Without You announced

30 10 2023 - Media release South Australian-Made feature film With or Without You announced With or Without You stars Melina Vidler, Marta Dusseldorp and Albe...

30/10/2023

Screen Australia and SBS announce new intoxicating romance Four Years

31 10 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and SBS announce new intoxicating romance Four Years L-R: Mithila Gupta (creator/writer), Nicole Reddy (writer), S...

17/10/2023

Applications open for Fresh Cuts Documentary Pitch Initiative

17 10 2023 - Media release Applications open for Fresh Cuts Documentary Pitch Initiative Screen Australia and the Australian International Documentary Confere...

09/10/2023

Screen Australia and Instagram Announce Recipients of 2023 First Nations Creator Program

09 10 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and Instagram Announce Recipients of...

06/10/2023

Australians in Film and Screen Australia bring Hollywood luminaries to SXSW Sydney

06 10 2023 - Media release Australians in Film and Screen Australia bring Hollyw...

05/10/2023

Talent Gateway and Global Producers Exchange applications open

05 10 2023 - Media release Talent Gateway and Global Producers Exchange applications open Screen Australia and Australians in Film (AiF) are delighted to anno...

03/10/2023

Screen Australia launches new games funding for 2023 and beyond

03 10 2023 - Media release Screen Australia launches new games funding for 2023 and beyond Neyyah: Defy Reality Entertainment Screen Australia is pleased to ...

25/09/2023

Screen Australia announces over $10 million of production funding for nine projects

25 09 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $10 million of produc...

14/09/2023

Cameras Roll on Asher Keddie and David Wenham in Drama Series Fake

14 09 2023 - Media release Cameras Roll on Asher Keddie and David Wenham in Drama Series Fake Fake stars Asher Keddie and David Wenham Screen Australia and P...

13/09/2023

Untapped 2023 Development Lab Participants Announced

13 09 2023 - Media release Untapped 2023 Development Lab Participants Announced 2023 Untapped Participants Screen Australia and Australians in Film today an...

07/09/2023

Screen Australia announces applications are open for two below-the-line programs

07 09 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces applications are open for two below-the-line programs Screen Australia is pleased to announce two progra...

30/08/2023

Screen Australia and Stan announce three new drama series

29 08 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and Stan announce three new drama series L-R: Dylan River (Thou Shalt Not Steal), Bonnie Moir (Exposure), Nicholas...

28/08/2023

New Original Drama Mix Tape Announced

28 08 2023 - Media release New Original Drama Mix Tape Announced Mix Tape director Lucy Gaffy and writer Jo Spain BINGE, Screen Australia and Screen Ireland ...

28/08/2023

Screen Australia and ABC announce Maggie Beer's Big Mission

28 08 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce Maggie Beer's Big Mission Maggie Beer s Big Mission Screen Australia, ABC and Screenwest hav...

24/08/2023

Screen Australia announces over $4.6 million in Enterprise funding

24 08 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $4.6 million in Enterprise funding Enterprise Business funding recipients Kauthar Abdulalim (Blac...

24/08/2023

Cameras roll on new Screen Australia and ABC comedy, White Fever

24 08 2023 - Media release Cameras roll on new Screen Australia and ABC comedy, White Fever White Fever creator and actor Ra Chapman and actor Chris Pang. Ima...

18/08/2023

Five Australian projects selected for Toronto International Film Festival 2023

18 08 2023 - Media release Five Australian projects selected for Toronto International Film Festival 2023 Shayda Five Australian projects have been selected ...

16/08/2023

Screen Australia announces over $1.2 million of story development funding for 47 projects

16 08 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $1.2 million of story...

09/08/2023

Screen Australia and ABC announce Fresh Blood 3 teams

09 08 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce Fresh Blood 3 teams Fresh Blood 3 teams in Sydney for the workshop on 8 August 2023 The ABC and ...

02/08/2023

Screen Australia announces over $2.2 million for five documentaries

02 08 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $2.2 million for five documentaries Mozart's Sister Screen Australia has announced three docum...

01/08/2023

Marc Fennell continues his global treasure hunt during Stuff The British Stole Season 2

01 08 2023 - Media release Marc Fennell continues his global treasure hunt durin...

27/07/2023

Screen Australia announces over $1.7 million for Industry Development

27 07 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $1.7 million for Industry Development Courtesy Veterans Film Festival Screen Australia has announ...

26/07/2023

Screen Australia launches Access Coordinator Training Program

26 07 2023 - Media release Screen Australia launches Access Coordinator Training Program Screen Australia has announced a new Access Coordinator Training Prog...

25/07/2023

Screen Australia announces over $1 million in funding for seven online projects

25 07 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $1 million in funding for seven online projects Eating Late and Working Late Screen Australia has ...

20/07/2023

Screen Australia announces over $3 million in support of the digital games industry

20 07 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $3 million in support...

18/07/2023

Meta and Screen Australia launch third year of First Nations Creator Program for Instagram

18 07 2023 - Media release Meta and Screen Australia launch third year of First ...

06/07/2023

Zoe Pepper's debut feature film Birthright heading into production in Western Australia this year

06 07 2023 - Media release Zoe Pepper's debut feature film Birthright headin...

03/07/2023

Screen Australia Launches Our Cinema Campaign

03 07 2023 - Media release Screen Australia Launches Our Cinema Campaign Screen Australia has launched a new multi-media campaign to promote an impressive lin...

22/06/2023

2021/22 ABS Film, Television and Digital Games Survey results

22 06 2023 - Media release 2021/22 ABS Film, Television and Digital Games Survey results The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released the results of...

20/06/2023

Screen Australia and Network 10 announce projects for First Facts: First Nations Factual Showcase

20 06 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and Network 10 announce projects for...

15/06/2023

Screen Australia, Stan and the ACTF announce family feature Wind Catcher

14 06 2023 - Media release Screen Australia, Stan and the ACTF announce family feature Wind Catcher (From top left): Producer Drew Grove, Director Tanith Glyn...

15/06/2023

Screen Australia, VicScreen, SBS and Arenamedia announce Originate Features recipients

15 06 2023 - Media release Screen Australia, VicScreen, SBS and Arenamedia annou...

13/06/2023

Screen Australia and 9Network announce Big Miracles Season 2

13 06 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and 9Network announce Big Miracles Season 2 Director Danika Armytage, Series Producer Chris Murrihy and Co-Executi...

29/05/2023

Screen Australia, SBS And NITV Call For Applications To Digital Originals 2023

29 05 2023 - Media release Screen Australia, SBS And NITV Call For Applications To Digital Originals 2023 Latecomers, Appetite Screen Australia, SBS and Nat...

15/05/2023

Screen Australia and SBS announce applications open for Emerging Writers' Incubator

15 05 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and SBS announce applications open f...

08/05/2023

Screen Australia launches the First Nations Game Studio fund

08 05 2023 - Media release Screen Australia launches the First Nations Game Studio fund Image: Shutterstock Screen Australia is pleased to announce the First...

04/05/2023

Screen Australia announces $2 million for eight documentaries

04 05 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces $2 million for eight documentaries Teagan Micah in This Is Us Screen Australia has announced two docume...