Screen Australia has announced $8.1 million in 2024 production funding for 15 new projects across film, television and online.
Screen Australia has announced $8.1 million in production funding to support 15 new projects across feature films, television series and online content.
This latest investment reflects the station’s continued commitment to fostering original Australian storytelling that resonates locally and internationally, with a diverse range of genres and formats set to benefit from the funding.
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Among the notable projects that received funding were Zack Power, a family animated film based on the famous children’s book series co-produced by Flying Bark Productions and Cheeky Little Media; His films include the horror film “Levitics” by the production company Causeway Films, which has received high praise from the public. The critically acclaimed movie “Talk to Me.”
Other titles include the romantic comedy “Love Adjacent,” Stan’s psychological thriller series “Watching You,” and the online documentary series “Hoops,” which follows the journey of transgender basketball player Lexi Rogers.
The announcement also includes more than $1.7 million in development funding for 27 television dramas, 23 feature films and six online projects. These include Piano Moms, a feature film about a teenage pianist and her family’s love of music, and the second installment of the TikTok documentary series Sextistics, which explores gender, sexuality and identity in Australia. It will include new family-friendly productions, including seasons.
Screen Australia CEO Deirdre Brennan highlighted the depth of talent in the projects being funded.
“These latest projects reflect the depth of creative storytelling that defines the Australian film industry,” she said. “We support projects that entertain audiences and resonate with us. Our goal is to champion authentic local voices and ensure our sector remains at the forefront of global storytelling.” to guarantee that.”
In the 2023/24 financial year, Screen Australia has allocated more than $85 million to 57 funding initiatives, including more than $5.5 million through the Department of Indigenous Peoples. In addition, the organization issued 205 final certificates under the Producer Offset Program, totaling $413 million. Despite high demand for assistance, the agency was only able to fund about a third of the applications it received.
Brennan reaffirmed the organization’s future priorities, “prioritizing audience connections, industry values, and cultural relevance, and determining how we can provide impactful support within our limited capacity.” I’ll keep searching,” he said.
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Australian films have received significant international attention over the past year, with 61 films selected for international film festivals and events. Notable successes include the online series “Videoland,” which won Best Comedy Series at the prestigious festival Series Mania, and “Shayda,” which won the Sundance Audience Award. High-profile projects such as Furiosa and the Australian-Irish co-production The Surfer, starring Nicolas Cage, also had their world premieres at the Cannes Film Festival.
Screen Australia remains committed to funding stories that reflect diverse local perspectives. Recent and upcoming projects include children’s shows such as DO NOT WATCH THIS SHOW, an animated adaptation of comedian Andy Lee’s book series, and drama series such as Top End Bub and JIMPA. It spans a variety of genres and formats.
Brennan expressed excitement for the year ahead, particularly with projects scheduled for release in late 2024. “We’re thrilled that our story will be recognized internationally, and we’re excited about our pipeline of projects scheduled for release by the end of the year, including the films Memoir of a Snail and The Moogai,” The series “Thou Shalt Not Steal,” “Four Years Later,” and “Plum.”
Among the latest funded productions is the 2004 Belfast-set crime drama Chasing Millions, in which an ambitious Australian police officer teams up with a veteran detective from Northern Ireland to travel across Ireland, England, Investigate the largest bank robbery in Australian history. The series is an Irish-Australian co-production directed by Stephen Burke and co-produced by Jane Doolan and Michael Wren.
Other notable projects include Displaced, a six-part YouTube comedy sci-fi series about a physicist who accidentally travels back in time, and a horror film that explores grief and supernatural forces through the discovery of a mysterious videotape. These include the drama feature film “Posthumous.”
Psychological horror “Saccharine”, the disturbing story of a medical student who becomes possessed by a ghost after participating in a mysterious weight-loss craze, will also receive funding. In addition, Stan’s six-part thriller Watching You, based on the novel The Last Guests by JP Pomare, has garnered significant attention given its gripping story and major production investment from Screen NSW. expected to collect.
Screen Australia continues to build a sustainable and innovative screen economy and investments in these diverse projects highlight the organization’s role in elevating Australians’ voice in the global entertainment industry .
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