In a major boost to the Australian entertainment industry, Screen Australia has allocated a sizeable $1.2 million across its Premium and Generate Funds.
This investment promises to invigorate the film and television landscape, bringing forth nearly 50 projects spanning various genres and styles.
Among the recipients of this funding are esteemed creators such as Kacie Anning, best known for her work on ‘Class of 07’, and the versatile talent, Leah Purcell.
The funding, aimed at bolstering story development, will be distributed among 29 feature films, 13 television dramas, and four online projects. These projects are further categorised, with 28 earmarked under the Generate fund and the remaining 19 being backed by the Premium fund.
A special mention must be made of the six projects that have emerged from the 2022 Untapped initiative, a collaboration between Screen Australia and Australians in Film, highlighting new and emerging talent in the industry.
This announcement also gives insight into the projects funded during the 2022/23 financial year. Over the course of this year, Screen Australia has dedicated over $3.1 million towards story development, encompassing a grand total of 97 projects.
Detailed Overview of Premium Television Series:
- Thirteen Days: Produced by Curio Pictures Pty Ltd, this series, blending drama, thriller, and historical elements, has been written by Andrew Bovell. The storyline is set to delve into the revisionist history of a once-overshadowed woman deeply rooted in Australia’s political sphere.
- The Housemate: This gripping thriller, crime, and mystery series comes from the stable of Lingo Pictures Pty Ltd. Authored by Liz Doran, the narrative revolves around a complicated murder mystery in the heart of Melbourne, with deep-seated secrets waiting to be unveiled.
- House of Kwa: Created by Corrie Chen and produced by Wooden Horse Pty Ltd, this drama series centres around Mimi Kwa, a journalist, as she navigates familial battles set against the backdrop of her family’s rich dynastic history.
Generate Television Series In Focus:
- A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing: Brought to life by Thumper Pictures Pty Ltd, this drama delves into the life of Jena, a Taiwanese-Australian woman. As a former child prodigy, she attempts to reintegrate into the classical music world, facing multiple challenges along the way.
- Unqualified: A comedy brainchild of Matthew Moore, it showcases the story of two middle-aged women venturing into the professional world with limited skills. Authored by Catherine Moore and Genevieve Hegney, the narrative is both humorous and relatable.
- Honeymoon: Set in a dystopian near-future grappling with the ramifications of global warming and plummeting fertility rates, this series is written by Gina Song and Liên Ta. It chronicles the journey of Thea Lim as she enrols in a program that pairs individuals with potential life partners, with unexpected twists and turns.
Additional Projects Garnering Attention:
These are merely a few of the standout projects. Others, including “Immersion”, “Forget Me Not”, “Unsettled”, “Undercurrent”, “Good Eggs”, “My Sister Ellie”, and “Custodians” offer varied themes. These range from investigative thrillers to poignant family dramas, and indigenous stories to futuristic scenarios.
This robust funding initiative by Screen Australia underscores the organisation’s commitment to fostering diverse talent and innovative narratives in the nation’s screen industry.
Screen Australia’s Development Head, Bobby Romia, acknowledged the impressive range of voices showcased in the newly funded projects, expressing enthusiasm for the future.
“The variety and dynamism of the latest cohort reflects the promising talent reservoir in our screen industry,” he commented.
