Australian rock group Mental as Anything and the world of competitive spreadsheet creation are among the subjects of a documentary included in Screen Australia’s latest round of funding.
The station announced that it will present 11 documentaries through its Producers Program and two will share $3 million in production funding through its Commissions Program.
That includes an as-yet-untitled feature film about the rise of Mental as Anything from I’m Wanita director Matthew Walker, to be released theatrically via Bonsai Films and broadcast on the Seven Network. are. Spreadsheet Champions is a feature-length documentary that follows students from around the world as they compete in the World Spreadsheet Championship. and “We Are Jeni,” documenting the mission of Jeni Hayes and her network of 2,500 alternate personalities to seek justice.
Screen Australia’s head of documentaries Richard Huddleston said he hoped the funded projects would appeal to a wide audience in Australia and abroad.
“We are thrilled that this funding will support so many documentary makers, from up-and-coming and established filmmakers to international award-winning artists and some of our nation’s leading filmmakers. All the way down to investigative journalists,” he said.
The announcement includes remaining projects funded in the 2023/24 financial year, during which Screen Australia will receive $12.4 million across production, development and engagement projects including Fresh Cuts with AIDC was funded.
Projects supported through the Producer Program:
Edge of Life: This feature film explores how two Melbourne doctors use a synthetic version of the naturally occurring psychedelic drug psilocybin to help palliative care patients with end-of-life anxiety, with remarkable results. We follow them as they open the door to the questions they have while achieving their goals. To answer. The Edge of Life explores how the world’s oldest cultures, and the ones most familiar with these medicines, offer valuable insight into one of the most important aspects of human life: the end. Find out if you have. From artist/writer/director Lynette Wallworth and screenwriter Chief Tashka Yawanawa, the film is produced and executive produced by Joanne McGowan and Jennifer Peedum, respectively. The film is being funded in partnership with Screen NSW and the Shark Island Foundation, with support from the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund and the Australian National University. Domestic sales by Kismet and overseas sales by K2/MGM.
Hard as Puck: This observational feature-length documentary follows a team of Australian para-ice hockey players competing for a spot on the first-ever Australian national team to compete in the World Championships. With everything stacking up against them and the sport itself, there’s nothing stopping these athletes from showing up on game day. Hard as Puck is from director Isaac Elliott, producers Chanel Bowen and Noel Smith, and executive producer Rebecca Binnell. Funded in partnership with Screenwest and Lottorywest.
Make it Look Real: A feature film that provides unique access to how intimate scenes in film and television are created. Intimacy Coordinator Claire Warden guides actors through sex scenes on film sets, negotiating the director’s vision while understanding the performers’ physical and psychological needs, and the documentary team follows her every move. Photograph the throw. Make it Look Real is from writer and director Kate Blackmore, producers Bethany Bruce and Daniel Joyce, and executive producers Bridget Ikin and Emma Cooper. This production is funded in partnership with Projector Films with support from Screen NSW and the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund.
Mockbusters: Writer/director Anthony Frith explores the world of Asylum, an infamous American production company known for producing low-budget films called “mockbusters” created to capitalize on the hype for an upcoming major release. It’s a feature film about navigating. For Mockbuster, Asylum asked Anthony to direct a feature-length mockbuster in Australia on a shoestring budget and in six days of filming. This is a challenge that will push him and his staff to their limits. Frith’s creative team includes writer/producer Sandy Cameron and producers David Elliott-Jones and Naomi Ball. Funded by the South Australian Film Corporation, in partnership with the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund, Giant Pictures and Big Screen.
Phenomena: In Phenomena, art and science collide in a psychedelic adventure through the patterns of nature, revealing the wonders of the universe and our relationship to it. A filmmaker faces a big question and, driven by curiosity, sets out on a journey of discovery. Through experimentation and awe-inspiring detail, he follows nature’s patterns down the rabbit hole, revealing the elements that make us up, the forces that shape us, and the mechanisms underlying our experiences. . Written, directed and produced by Joseph Gatti, in collaboration with Rob Innes and executive producer Jessica Harrop. Co-produced with Sandbox Films and financed in partnership with VicScreen.
Queens of Concrete: Filmed over seven years, this coming-of-age documentary follows Hayley, Ava and Charlotte from childhood to adulthood as they pursue their dream of qualifying for Australia’s first Olympic skateboarding team for the 2020 Olympics. I am recording the journey. They each struggle with their own definition of success and find a balance between who they want to be and the adults they can change. Eliza Cox will direct and produce with Gina Reese, Oscar Asensio and CJ Welsh (Disclosure), with Anna Kaplan serving as executive producer. Funded in partnership with VicScreen with support from the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Premier Fund.
Sentient: This feature-length documentary takes viewers into the world of people who experiment on animals behind the locked doors of high-security laboratories. Sentient is a meditation on the connection between humanity and the animals used in research, exploring both the effects of animal experimentation on animals and the moral injury and compassion fatigue suffered by those who carry out the experiments. . Sentient is from writer/director Tony Jones and producer Ivan O’Mahony.
Spreadsheet Champion: In this feature-length documentary, students from all over the world compete in the biggest competition most people have never heard of: the Spreadsheet World Championship. Spreadsheet Champions follows six students from different countries as they compete in Excel, the most difficult and prestigious category of the Microsoft Office Championships. Suburban Legends’ Christina Kraskov and Anna Sharalambous will direct and produce, respectively, with Charlotte Wheaton and Nick Batsius producing. Funded by the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Premier Fund in partnership with VicScreen. Locally distributed by Madman Entertainment.
Untitled Mental as Anything Documentary: A feature film released theatrically via Bonsai Films and broadcast on the Seven Network. A story about the incredible rise of iconic Australian band Mental As Anything, who left an indelible mark on Australian music and music through their infectious pop sound and creative journey. Art celebrating Australian suburbia. Writer and director Matthew Walker is working with producers Carolina Sorensen and Suzanne Morrison. Frank Sidiac and Martin Fabigny will serve as executive producers. A Beyond Entertainment Production in association with People Productions, the film is funded with support from Screen NSW. International sales are handled by Banijay Rights, with post, digital and visual effects support by Screen NSW.
We Are Jeni: This feature-length documentary from SBS follows the remarkable journey of Jeni Haines, who created a vast network of 2,500 alter egos to overcome the extreme trauma she endured since childhood. Directed by Mariel Thomas and Akhim Dev, produced by Simon Nasht and Sara Kozak. Funding comes from philanthropic support through the Shark Island Foundation.
Yururu | Country: This feature-length documentary takes viewers into the remote Red Valley of Western Australia’s Pilbara and its rich Bunjima history with Elder Maitland Parker. This stunning landscape also bears the scars of Australia’s Chernobyl, the most contaminated site in the southern hemisphere and where asbestos made the area inaccessible. Yururu | Country is Maitland’s last stand to write the final chapter as he fights to protect his family and culture and rebuild his hometown. The creative team consists of writer/director/producer Yaara Bou Melhem, writer/executive producer Maitland Parker, producer Lisa Main, and executive producer Chris Kamen. The film is funded in partnership with Martidja Banyjima, with support from Screen NSW and Shark Island Institute. Bonsai Films is distributing locally.
The projects funded through the commissioning program are:
Headliner: The ABC series follows Ellie-Mae Barnes on a quest to form two bands of musicians living with disabilities, with support from her rock legend father Jimmy Barnes. It also exposes the lack of visibility, access and inclusion among some Australians. talented musicians and performers; The series is from producer Kate Paul and executive producer Penny McWhirter. It has major production investment from the ABC and is backed by Screen NSW. Banijay Rights manages international sales.
The Secret DNA of Us: From executive producers Josie Mason Campbell and Sophie Meyrick, The Secret DNA of Us explores Australia’s eye-opening exploration through mass DNA testing. The Secret DNA of Us has received major production investment from SBS and is being funded with support from Screen NSW.
