Six Australian projects have been selected for the 49th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which will be held from September 5th to 15th.
don’t steal
TIFF is one of the most important and prestigious film festivals in the world, providing Australian filmmakers and creators with a platform into the North American market.
Screen Australia is also supporting six practitioners who will travel to Toronto to take part in Australia/Canada Co-Production Day, a partnership between Screen Australia and Ontario Creates. It will be held on September 6, 2024 to coincide with TIFF, and will see Australian producers meet with their Canadian counterparts to foster early-stage creative connections and create meaningful collaborations for official Australian-Canadian co-productions. Provides opportunities to foster partnerships and relationships. Treaty.
The six practitioners are:
Sally Aitken (SAM Content) Christina Seiton (Causeway Films) Alan Arson (Wildbear Entertainment) Zui Huynh (Beyond Edge) Simon Nasht (Smith & Nasht) Maveen Shahraki (Thousand Mile Productions)
Australian projects selected to screen at TIFF include:
addition
World premiere in the highlight section
Made Up Stories Pty Ltd and Buon Giorno Productions Pty Ltd
Director: Marcel Lunam
Author: Becca Johnston
Producer: Christina Pozzan, Bruna Papandrea, Steve Futensky, Jodi Matterson, Jeanne Snow
Executive producers: Rich Swart, Meryl Metni, Dian Weir, Olivia Humphrey, Frank Cox, Monica Saunders-Weinberg, Joel Perlman, Edwina Wady
Starring: Teresa Palmer, Joe Dempsey, Eamonn Farren, Sarah Peirce, Adrian Pickering, Zahra Newman, Lou Baxter
Australian distributor: Roadshow Films
Overseas sales: WME
Synopsis: A romantic drama about accepting who you are and celebrating what’s truly important in life. Based on the novel by Toni Jordan.
Media Contact: Nixco (email protected)
betterman
Canadian premiere at gala presentation
Director: Michael Gracey
Screenplay: Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole, Michael Gracey
Producer: Paul Curry, Michael Gracey, Coco Xiaolu Ma, Craig McMahon, Jules Daly
Executive producers: Jie Chen, Robbie Williams, Marcus Vermettler, Philip Lee
Starring: Robbie Williams, Jono Davies, Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Damon Herriman, Kate Mulvaney, Rachelle Banno
Australian distributor: Roadshow Films
Overseas sales: Rocket Science
Logline: From brash teen idol to redeemed British hero, Betterman follows Robbie Williams’ meteoric rise, fall, and extraordinary rise to fame as he heads to the record-breaking Knebworth concert, the biggest music event in British history. I will draw a comeback.
Media Contact: Stefan Sgarioto (email protected)
climbed the hill
World premiere with special presentation
Causeway Creations Pty Ltd
Director: Samuel van Grinsven
Screenplay: Samuel van Grinsven, Jolie Anast
Producer: Samantha Jennings, Christina Seiton, Vicki Pope
Cast: Dacre Montgomery, Vicki Krieps
Australian distributor: Vendetta Films
Overseas sales: Bankside Film
Synopsis: Jack travels to remote New Zealand for the funeral of his estranged mother and meets his mother’s grieving widow, Jill. But the search for answers becomes dangerous when his mother’s ghost returns and instigates a life-threatening night dance.
fat
World Premiere at Gala Presentation – Closing Night Film
Camp Sugar, Unigram, AI Films, Bunya Productions
Director: Rebel Wilson
Screenplay: Hannah Riley
Additional writing: Rebel Wilson
Producer: Rebel Wilson, Gregor Cameron, Amanda Ghost, Greer Simpkin, David Georgie
Executive producers: Len Blavatnik, Vince Holden, Meg Washington, Kevin White
Music: Meg Washington
Original score: Michael Ezersky
Cast: Rebel Wilson, Shane Jacobson, Tara Morris, Natalie Abbott, Charlotte McInnes, Julian McMahon, Hal Cumpston, Stevie Jean, Costa D’Angelo, Steph Tisdell, Scarlett Crabtree, Susan. pryor
Overseas sales: WME independent
Synopsis: Rebel Wilson’s directorial debut is a bold, quirky and funny Australian musical about two disparate teenage cousins who initially clash but end up joining forces to make the town’s annual debut. This is a story about trying to make a mark at the ball.
wolves always come at night
World premiere at platform competition
Over Here Productions, Guru Media, Chromosom Film
Director: Gabriel Brady
Screenplay: Davaslen Dagvaslen, Otgonzaya Dashzebeg, Gabriel Brady
Producer: Julia Nietamaa, Aliuna Tserenpil, Rita Walsh
Australian distribution company: Madman Entertainment
Overseas sales: Cinephile
Executive producers: Dian Weir, Alexander Waddu, Stephanie Platner, Emma Hindley, Dan Kogan
Synopsis: After being forced from their home in rural Mongolia by devastating storms caused by climate change, young nomadic couple Dava and Zaya learn to adapt to a new way of life in this hybrid documentary film. I am forced to do so.
Media Contact: Australia: Olivia McIvor (email protected), International: Kathleen McInnis (email protected)
don’t steal
World premiere in prime time category
Rude Studio & Shins 1788
Director: Dylan River
Screenplay: Dylan River, Tanith Glynne-Maroney, Samuel Painter, Sophie Miller, Benedict Paxton-Crick
Producer: Sam Moore
Co-producer: Lauren Brown
Executive producers: Charlie Aspinwall, Daley Pearson, Tanith Glynn-Maroney, Sophie Miller
Cast: Noah Taylor, Miranda Otto, Will McDonald & Sherry Leigh Watson, Will McDonald, Natasha Wanganeen, Warren H. Williams, William McKenna, Darren Gilshenan, Shari Sebbens, Kerry Butler, Ani Finsteller, Andy Gollidge, Eddie Ballou, Andie MacPhee, Chloe Brink, Damien Walsh-Howling, Fletcher Humphries, Geoff Morell, Justin Rozniak, Emily Tuheny, Bonnie Sveen.
International sales: DCD rights
Summary: Thou Shalt Not Steal is an eight-episode road series set in south-central Australia in the 1980s. Robin, an Aboriginal delinquent, escapes from custody and reluctantly teams up with clumsy teenager Gidge to discover the truth behind a mysterious family secret. Together they escape from her small central desert community and take a perilous journey across the outback, finding answers and learning some difficult life lessons along the way. They are pursued by Maxine, a sex trafficker whose taxi Robin stole, and Gidge’s domineering father, Robert, a con-artist preacher.
Media Contact: Kellie Adcock (email protected)
