Screen Producers Australia and Screen Queensland have announced Academy Award-winning director, actor, and producer Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13) and one of his long-time producing partners Bill Connor (Life of Pi, Thirteen Lives) as further international guest speakers for Screen Forever 38.
Both Howard and Connor will participate live from New York with an In Conversation session, moderated by Gold Coast-based Producer and Bazmark’s Managing Director Schuyler Weiss (Elvis, Faraway Downs), discussing how their producing partnership came to be, projects they have collaborated on, Australia as a destination for international productions, ever-changing shifts in the global screen industry, and what they see on the horizon for Australian creatives and storytelling.
Schuyler will guide an invaluable conversation, providing for some a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear from a Hollywood child star turned prolific award-winning filmmaker.
Howard is one of Hollywood’s most celebrated and prolific filmmakers, with a career spanning over 60 years. After getting his start acting in classics like The Andy Griffith Show and Happy Days, Howard moved into the director’s chair and has created some of Hollywood’s most memorable films, including A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13, Thirteen Lives, Parenthood and Splash.
Howard’s next highly anticipated film is Jim Henson: Idea Man, a documentary that will serve as the definitive portrait of Jim Henson’s life.
Howard also founded Imagine Entertainment, one of the most prolific production companies in Hollywood, in the early ‘80s with long-time partner and collaborator Brian Grazer, which they continue to run together as executive chairmen.
Ron and Bill are back on the Gold Coast for the filming of survival thriller Eden, Imagine Entertainment’s second Ron Howard feature film to be created in Queensland following the release of Thirteen Lives in 2022. Filming of Eden started in November 2023 starring Jude Law (The Talented Mr Ripley, Sherlock Holmes), Ana de Armas (Blade Runner 2049, Blonde), Vanessa Kirby (Pieces of a Woman, Napoleon), Daniel Brühl (All Quiet on the Western Front) and Sydney Sweeney (The White Lotus, Euphoria).
Ron Howard said:
“After shooting Thirteen Lives in Queensland in 2022, I was incredibly impressed with our crew on the film, as well as with the support of the Australian film community as a whole.”
“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to come back to shoot Eden. Choosing a location to shoot a film in is of the utmost importance, and Queensland is a premiere international production location, with its creatively adept crews, supportive filming community, and beautiful exterior locations.”
Bill Connor added:
“It’s exciting to see how Queensland has grown into a leading location for international productions.”
“From skilled and hard-working crews, to quality facilities and stunning locations, it’s a compelling choice. And the strong support of screen agencies is the icing on the cake.”
“It’s why we came back to shoot Eden and why we look forward to returning in the future.”
den was secured by the Queensland Government via Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy and supported by the Federal Government’s Location Incentive.
SPA recently revealed the full SCREEN FOREVER 38 program, packed with networking opportunities and sessions all aimed at bringing attendees together to have explorative and honest conversations about the global screen industry and how it affects their local businesses.
More information on SCREEN FOREVER 38 can be found at screenforever.org.au. After a completely sold-out event in 2022 and 2023, delegates are encouraged to register early to secure their spot.
