By Travis Johnson
24 features, five online series, and two television projects have been earmarked for Screen Australia development funding, while three screen practitioners will be put in talent development placements, it was announced today.
The beneficiaries of this latest round of funding include veterans such as Jocelyn Moorhouse, Leah Purcell, Vicki Madden, Rachel Perkins and Luke Davies, plus rising stars Sophie Hyde, Rodd Rathjen, Nicholas Verso, Abe Forsythe, Craig Silvey and Corrie Chen.
Senior Development Manager Nerida Moore said “This round of development funding reflects the vibrancy of the story landscape in Australia with thrillers and romance, crime and comedies, sports dramas and musicals. We have projects from both seasoned storytellers and an exciting group of up-and-coming talents. And we are also seeing a greater mix of platforms from traditional features and high-end television to the ever-growing online drama and narrative VR spaces.”
Some of the projects funded include:
The Gloaming (TV), Vicki Madden’s follow-up to The Kettering Incident. Created and written by Madden, it’s described as a “…Scandi Noir-styled police procedural.”
The Variations (feature), a period piece telling the true story of German musicians Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms, who together formed a potent love triangle, from Jocelyn Moorehouse and Sue Maslin.
The Drover’s Wife (feature), adapted from Leah Purcell’s award-winning play. Purcell will write and direct.
Animals (feature), adapted by Emma Jane Unsworth from her own novel, and set to be directed by Sophie Hyde (52 Tuesdays).
Buoyancy (feature), the first feature from writer/director Rodd Rathjen, a story of modern day slavery set in rural Cambodia.
The Fair Way (web series), set in the inimitable world of semi-professional golf, from the team behind mockumentary wine show Plonk.
For the full list of projects funded visit the following links:
Story Development – Features and Matched Marketplace
