In the final round of drama funding for the financial year, Screen Australia announces production investment in 12 projects including two feature films, a television series and nine multiplatform programs. Screen Australia’s support of over $4.5 million in these projects will initiate production worth over $25 million.
“In this round of funding we are pleased to be able to support a great diversity of Australian creative talent generating compelling stories on all platforms. These stories promise to help shape our national consciousness, challenge us, build resilience in our kids and make us laugh, all with great Australian content. They are intended to appeal to a wide range of audiences on the many platforms that now form part of our regular media diet. Here we see the breadth of formats, genres and innovative pathways to audience that the Australian production community is capable of,” said CEO of Screen Australia, Graeme Mason.
Mr Mason explained that the value of Australian stories was recently reaffirmed at Cannes with Australian film sales to international territories more than doubling the quantum of sales made last year. This capped the three Australian films screened at the festival receiving standing ovations and critical acclaim; and a prestigious award for veteran Indigenous actor David Gulpilil.
Mr Mason also pointed out that investment in this round will see the team behind the award-winning film, RED DOG producer Nelson Woss, director Kriv Stenders (Kill Me Three Times) and writer Daniel Taplitz join forces again in BLUE DOG, the story of the early events that led to the discovery of Red Dog and his rise to become an Australian legend. Woss Group Film Productions’ RED DOG ranks among the top 10 Australian films of all time with over $21 million at the local box office.