2024 09 07 – Media release
(LR) Moonbird director, co-producer and co-writer Nathan Maynard, co-producer and co-writer Adam Thompson, and producer Katherine Pettman.
Screen Australia, SBS and National Indigenous Television (NITV) have announced that three new Australian series will be screened through their successful Digital Originals initiative, with “ Production is underway on ‘Moni’ in Tasmania, ‘Moonbird’ in Tasmania and ‘Warm Props’ in Western Australia.
An ongoing partnership between SBS, NITV and Screen Australia, Digital Originals develops exciting, innovative and risk-taking short drama projects from currently underrepresented and emerging screen creators, and is available on SBS On Demand, SBS VICELAND, intended to premiere on NITV. within the sector.
In the series Moni, starring Pacifica, a gay Samoan man reluctantly discovers why his dead mother unexpectedly fell from the sky, and in doing so must learn to accept his truth. Led by creator, writer, and showrunner Taofia Peresa, director Alana Hicks, producer Nicole Coventry, and Peresa Pix executive producer Eliola Marifa, the series explores identity, belonging, and self-acceptance. Masu.
Moonbird is a co-production between Kutikina Productions, the first ever Tasmanian Aboriginal film production company, and Sheoak Films. Produced by Katherine Pettman and Adam Thompson, Moonbird depicts the relationship between a recently sober father and son who attempt to reunite through a traditional muttonbirding season on a remote island in Tasmania. This fascinating series is directed, co-produced and co-written by Nathan Maynard and co-produced and co-written by Adam Thompson.
Warm Props takes viewers behind the scenes as Charlie, who returns to a chaotic film shoot in his hometown in Western Australia, is forced to confront his past when his career and personal stability are threatened by a narcissistic boss. I’ll take you there. This heartwarming series is brought to life by creator and writer Jab Clark and co-writer Kimberly Benjamin, directed by Clark and Benjamin, and produced by Jody Bell for Lamb Productions. .
Lee Naimo, Head of Online and Games at Screen Australia, said: It has given the team the tools to create large-scale online projects in a way not seen anywhere else in the world, and has uncovered talent from across Australia to work on groundbreaking drama. The most recent group’s pitches were particularly impressive, and it’s so encouraging to see these teams take in feedback during workshops and apply it as they move forward with their projects. ”
Nakul Rega, commissioning editor of SBS Scripts, said: The Digital Originals Initiative consistently delivers award-winning, creative series that launch the careers of some of Australia’s most talented emerging and underrepresented voices. I can’t wait for viewers to fall in love with Moni, Moonbird, and Warm Props. And we’re excited to support the next wave of creators bringing fresh and exciting stories to the screen. ”
Adam Manovich, Acting Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production at NITV, added: “Digital Originals provides a unique platform for up-and-coming Indigenous creators to showcase their innovations and share their stories. Great talent shines through in this latest announcement of commissions and development projects, and we look forward to seeing you in 2024. We look forward to seeing what new stories and voices will be heard as we begin accepting applications.”
Kyas Hepworth, Director of Screen NSW, said: “Digital Originals is such a great platform for underrepresented voices and Screen NSW is excited to support Moni and the whole team. It’s a great example of the new wave and I can’t wait to see this series come to fruition.”
Screen Tasmania Executive Manager Alex Sangston said: The ability of Palawa people to share their stories, cultural heritage and practices is invaluable and we are proud to support them. Congratulations to Nathan Maynard, Adam Thompson, Katherine Pettman, Kutykina Productions and Sheoak Films for bringing such a powerful and important story to the screen. ”
Ricki Lee Bestall, CEO of Screenwest, said: “It’s great to see another Western Australian series produced through this great initiative, which allows talented people to hone their creativity and deliver innovative, contemporary scripted projects. We’re proud to support this unique Indigenous story, and we’d like to pay tribute to Jab, Jody, Kimba and the incredible cast and crew who brought this series to life in WA’s beautiful Kimberley region. We look forward to seeing ‘Warm Props’ on SBS and NITV.”
Roani Arman is SBS’s Executive Producer for Moni, Moonbird and Warm Props and has collaborated with and guided the team during the development and production of the projects.
As the Digital Originals Initiative enters its fifth year, five projects will be selected for further development from a pool of 10 shortlisted teams who participated in an exclusive workshop hosted by Screen Australia, SBS and NITV in December 2023. I got it. Up to three will be selected later. For production funds and trial runs. The creative teams and their projects selected for further development are:
Boundaries End (QLD)
Two Black Queens of Meanjin’s West End are thrust into the unknown when their landlord dabbles in witchcraft, sending the young women on a journey that blurs the line between fantasy and reality.
Writer/Director: Miriam Dynevor, Maxia Bloom
ignorable (VIC)
Disability activist Alana has always hated her family’s obsession with the local Miss Sultana beauty pageant, but her able-bodied sister Nikki was willing to do anything to save it…and its financial… When the funding is cut off and Nikki secretly makes it “disabled only”, Alana, who is after diversity funding, decides to burn down this supposed family legacy once and for all.
Producer: Hannah Go (Lazy Susan Films)
Screenplay: Artemis Muñoz, Rian Wilson Rouge
Director: Alistair Baldwin
Fish Boy (New South Wales)
A disgraced sneaker hustler goes all out to regain the respect of his family and save his parents’ bankrupt Filipino mini-mart by founding Western Sydney’s largest underground fish delivery hustle.
Producer: Robertino Zambrano, Dulce Aguilar, Gabriel Josten (KAPWA Studioworks)
Screenplay/Director: Robertino Zambrano
Remain (New South Wales)
When transgender Darcy returns to her rural hometown to help her estranged mother, Nora, she discovers that an unexpected figure from her past has been living in her family home since the day she left.
Producer: Saina Strachan
Executive Producer: Liam Hayen (Mad Ones Films)
Writer: AP Pobjoy
Little Korea (Queensland)
Two Korean immigrant women get caught up in a fight between two restaurants that spirals out of control.
Producer: Lark Lee (Lark Films)
Writer/Director: Lark Lee, Katrina Irawati Graham
The announcement of this latest wave of digital originals comes as applications open today for the next round of the initiative through 2024. Applications are open until 5pm (AEST) on Thursday 15 August 2024 and can be made here on Screen Australia. Click here to read the full guidelines.
Screen Australia, SBS and NITV will also host a digital original information webinar on 19 July. Entrants were invited to learn about the history of digital originals and screens from SBS Script Commissioning Editor Nakul Rega, NITV’s Acting Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production Adam Manovich and Screen Australia’s Head of Online and Games Lee Naimo. We recommend that you listen to the overview. Australia, SBS and NITV are looking for candidates in this round, which will be followed by a Q&A.
Date: Friday 19 July 2024 Time: 10-11am AEST Register: Click here Accessibility: The webinar will be accompanied by Auslan translation. If you would like to discuss this or any other accessibility requirement, please contact us at (email protected) or call 1800 507 901. A recording of this webinar will be made available on the Screen Australia website shortly.
The Digital Originals initiative will connect people who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse, Indigenous Australians, people with disabilities, women and gender diversity, LGBTQIA+ and others who have historically been underrepresented in the sector. It was established to improve human resources. People living in rural and remote areas. It continues to prove an effective means for creators to improve their skills, as well as a starting point for projects to gain local interest and reach international markets.
Most recently, Night Bloomers premiered in October 2023 and won the Australian Writers Guild Award for Best Web Series for creator Andrew Yun Lee. Appetite in April 2023 was subsequently selected as one of the 10 series in the 2023 Cannes Short Film Competition and was nominated for the Rose d’Or. The sequel premiered in December 2022, won the 2024 AACTA Award for Best Online Drama or Comedy, and was also entered in the Series Mania short story competition in 2023.
Digital Originals graduates continue to fill key creative roles on SBS Original drama series and elsewhere in the industry. Among them are Mohini Haase (Appetite), director of the upcoming SBS original Four Years Later, producer Liam Heyen (Latecomers, Erotic Stories), director Madeline Gottlieb (Latecomers, Erotic Stories), and Stevie Cruise. Martin (The Tailing, Safe Home), Cory Chen and Michelle Law (Homecoming Queens), and Dylan River (Robbie Hood).
Click here to learn more about digital originals.
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