by FilmInk Staff
BASED ON THE LIFE OF BRIAN WALSH: THE MAN BEHIND THE MOMENTS
OFFICIAL SELECTION FOR SXSW SYDNEY® SCREEN FESTIVAL
Foxtel Group today announced the premiere date for Foxtel Original feature documentary THE GREAT ENTERTAINER based on the extraordinary life and career of Australian TV icon Brian Walsh. The feature documentary will have its world premiere at SXSW Sydney on 16 October, ahead of its premiere on Foxtel and BINGE on Monday 20 October – coinciding with Foxtel’s 30th birthday and commemorating three decades of entertaining Australians.
The captivating documentary chronicles the transformation of the TV industry and how Walsh created some of the most memorable sport and entertainment moments in Australian history and helped launch the careers of some of our biggest stars.
The ultimate showman and a storyteller like no other, Walsh is credited with spearheading the iconic Tina Turner ‘Simply the Best’ promotional campaign for the National Rugby League and re-launching Neighbours when it shifted to Network 10, among many others. Walsh commissioned some of Australia’s most iconic and beloved television series including Love My Way, Wentworth, Colin from Accounts, Australia’s Next Top Model and Gogglebox Australia during his 28-year tenure at Foxtel.
Beyond his visionary work in radio, television and live entertainment, Walsh was renowned for his exceptional ability to identify and nurture talent. He was instrumental in launching the careers of many Australian stars, including Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Kylie Minogue, and Guy Pearce. His dedication to fostering emerging talent has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
THE GREAT ENTERTAINER features some of the biggest names in the Australian entertainment and sport industries including Hugh Jackman, Jason Donovan, Patrick Brammall, Harriet Dyer, Marcia Hines, Leah Purcell, Danielle Cormack, Matthew Le Nevez, Matt Shirvington, Deborah Hutton OAM, Wayne Pearce and offers a unique lens to illustrate how one man’s vision, creativity, and mentorship influenced both the media landscape and the cultural identity of Australia.
Lana Greenhalgh, Director of Scripted Originals, Foxtel Group, said: “Brian was a visionary and the cultural heart of Foxtel for nearly three decades. He continually set the bar for premium and bold Australian storytelling and created countless memorable moments that launched careers and put Australian sport and television on the world’s stage. This documentary celebrates his remarkable legacy and unwavering passion for bringing Australian stories to the screen globally.”
Rudi McGregor, Executive Producer, Shadow Productions, said: “Brian Walsh lived and breathed entertainment, with an unmatched instinct for talent and storytelling. He believed passionately in Australian stories and dedicated his life to nurturing the people who told them, leaving a legacy that continues to shape our industry today. It has been a privilege to tell his story.”
THE GREAT ENTERTAINER is eligible for a SXSW Sydney Audience Choice Award.
Production credit: Produced by Shadow Productions for the Foxtel Group, THE GREAT ENTERTAINER is produced by Rudi McGregor, Mathew Brooks, Steve Cronan and Stephen Baldwin. Executive Producers are Graham McNeice and Rudi McGregor and Lana Greenhalgh and Alison Hurbert-Burns for the Foxtel Group and is financed in association with Screen NSW.
THE GREAT ENTERTAINER premieres on Foxtel’s Showcase on Monday 20 October at 8.30pm and will also be available to stream on BINGE.
