By Travis Johnson
Screen Australia allocated over $700,000 in funding through the Story, Talent and Sector Development programs, it was announced today, with the funds being shared by 15 features, three online series; supported placements for two Developing the Developer participants, and sector initiatives led by CuriousWorks, Information Cultural Exchange (I.C.E.) and MEAA’s Equity Foundation.
Speaking about this latest funding round, Senior Development Manager Nerida Moore noted, “In line with our commitment to the Screen Diversity & Inclusion Network (SDIN) Charter, we are incredibly proud to be supporting initiatives that focus on inclusivity. We believe that I.C.E. and CuriousWorks’ grassroots approach to upskilling writers and producers from diverse backgrounds will play a substantial long-term role in improving the range of representations we see on screen. This work will be complemented by MEAA, who are seeking to expand the talent pool so that it more accurately reflects contemporary Australian society. These are highly targeted, industry-led initiatives that show the sector is actively coalescing around this issue.”
Projects in development that received funding include:
Fear is the Rider, an adaptation of Kenneth Cook’s novel by Belinda Chayko, with Kriv Stenders directing.
Honey Trap, a thriller about an obsessive friendship between two teenage girls, written and directed by The Family Law producer Sophie Miller.
The Lost Swimmer, Ann Turner’s adaptation of her own suspense novel, with Sue Maslin producing.
Matt Devine’s debut feature project Panyee FC, written by Natasha Pincus.
The Vanity Unit, written by Belinda Bradley and Franz Docherty, a dramedy about a dinner party in a retirement village, Clayton Jacobson is directing.
When The Birds Aren’t Free To Be Buried, an animated film from writer Osamah Sami’s, based on his childhood as an Arab refugee living in Iran during the Iran-Iraq war.
For more info, head for the Screen Australia site.
