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THE LATEST round of production investment by Screen Australia devotes more than $12 million for 12 projects, aiming to generate more than $80 million worth of production for the Australian industry.

“From popular adaptations and classic favourites, to innovative original content, this funding round supports a true breadth and depth of Australian storytelling talent across all forms of narrative content,” said Screen Australia head of production, Sally Caplan.

“We have backed some of our great contemporary writers, directors and producers, alongside some exciting new voices. The projects target audiences as diverse as Australia is today, with projects which are ambitious, risk-taking and culturally important, revealing we have no shortage of great stories to tell.

“Who could resist Blinky Bill, the story of music biz legend Molly Meldrum, and a neo cold-war thriller set in Canberra?”

Television drama Secret City is based on the best-selling novel The Marmalade Files and upcoming sequel The Mandarin Code. Set in an atmosphere of rising tension between China and America, the six-part series follows Helen, a political journalist, who uncovers a conspiracy which leads her into the underground world of political deception with deadly consequences. From Matchbox Pictures, the political thriller will be adapted for screen by writers Belinda Chayko, Matt Cameron, Marieke Hardy, Alice Addison, Tommy Murphy, Kris Mrksa and Greg Waters, and producer Joanna Werner (Dance Academy) for Foxtel.

An old favourite will be revived in The Blinky Bill Movie. From Greenpatch Productions, the film will reacquaint old and engage new audiences with the iconic Australian koala. The big-screen adaptation follows Blinky (Ryan Kwanten), as he sets out to find his missing father and gathers friends, Nutsy and Jacko, along the way.

Written by Fin Edquist, produced by Barbara Stephen and directed by Deane Taylor, the film presents cultural qualities that will introduce a modern version of this Australian children’s literary icon whose legacy extends back to the 1930s.

Original children’s television series My Life in 50 Words or Less from Big Chance Films follows five Indigenous children venturing a long way from home to the city to pursue their dreams. For the ABC, the 14-part series will be written by Liz Doran, Jon Bell, Nakkiah Lui, Josh Mapleston and Kristen Dunphy, produced by Joanna Werner and Miranda Dear, and directed by Rachel Perkins.

Also appealing to a youth audience and based on the award-winning animated television series of the same name comes Dogstar: Christmas in Space from Media World Pictures for the Nine Network. The Christmas adventure telemovie will be written by Philip Dalkin and Doug MacLeod, produced by Colin South, and directed by Scott Vanden Bosch.

Theatrical documentary The Guadagnini Project, by writer/director Scott Hicks (Shine) and producer Kerry Heysen from Fiddlestick Films, journeys into a world of rarefied musical instruments and the dealers, philanthropists and musicians who seek them out.

Molly is a television drama based on the life of well-known Australian music aficionado Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum. From M4 Entertainment with writers Matt Cameron and Liz Doran, producers John Molloy and director Kevin Carlin, this two-part telemovie will explore the humble beginnings of Molly’s life from Quambatook to his rise to become one of the most powerful names in Australian music. It will screen on the Seven Network.

Also for the small screen, four-part series telemovie The Principal is a gritty drama revolving around a high school in Sydney’s tough south-west. From Essential Media and Entertainment for SBS, the program will be written by Kristen Dunphy and Alice Addison, produced by Ian Collie and directed by Kriv Stenders (Red Dog).

From Goalpost Pictures and New Zealand’s Pukeko Pictures comes a unique six-part high-concept genre series for the ABC. This innovative science-fiction television series, ProjectCM (working title), follows two estranged Indigenous brothers at a crossroads and a community struggling to co-exist with non-human creatures living among them. The series is a New Zealand and Australian co-production, written by Jon Bell, Jonathan Gavin and Michael Miller, and produced by Rosemary Blight with Ryan Griffen, Lauren Edwards and Angela Littlejohn.

Lightstream Pictures will receive funding for the feature thriller 2:22, about Dylan Boyd, an air traffic controller whose life is derailed following a series of uncanny events all taking place at 2:22pm, which threaten the life of the woman he loves. Paul Currie will write, produce and direct the film, along with writer Todd Stein and producer Steve Hutensky.

Acclaimed theatre writer-director Simon Stone makes his feature debut, with producers Jan Chapman and Nicole O’Donohue, on The Daughter, about a man who returns home to uncover a long-buried family secret, and while attempting to right the wrongs of the past, his actions threaten to shatter the lives of those he left behind years before. The film stars Geoffrey Rush and Ewen Leslie.

Writer-director Abraham Forsythe and producers Jodi Matterson and Ben Latham-Jones will be funded for the feature film Down Under. From Eddie Wong Films with Ealing Studios and Londinium, the comedy is set during the Cronulla race riots.

Completion funds were also provided to Ticket to Ride for their project The Little Death, from writer-director Josh Lawson and producers Jamie Hilton, Michael Petroni and Matt Reeder.

www.screenaustralia.gov.au

FEATURE FILMS: PRODUCTION FUNDING

2:22
Lightstream Pictures Pty Ltd
Producers Paul Currie, Steve Hutensky
Executive Producers Bruce Davey, David Whealy, Bill Mechanic, Jackie O’Sullivan
Director Paul Currie
Writers Todd Stein, Paul Currie
Australian Distributor Icon Film Distribution
International Sales Good Universe International
Synopsis Dylan Boyd’s life is permanently derailed when an ominous pattern of events repeats itself in exactly the same manner every day and threatens the life of the woman he loves.

THE BLINKY BILL MOVIE
Greenpatch Productions Pty Ltd
Producer Barbara Stephen
Executive Producer Jim Ballantine
Director Deane Taylor
Writer Fin Edquist
Australian and New Zealand Distributor Studio Canal
International Sales Studio 100 International BV
Synopsis A young and mischievous koala embarks on a journey across the wild and dangerous outback in the hope of finding his missing father, but discovers that there’s more to being an adventurer than meets the eye.

THE DAUGHTER
Fate Films Pty Ltd
Producers Jan Chapman, Nicole O’Donohue
Writer/Director Simon Stone
Australian Distributor Roadshow Films
International Sales Mongrel International
Synopsis A man returns to his hometown and unearths a long-buried family secret. As he tries to right the wrongs of the past, his actions threaten to shatter the lives of those he left behind years before. Will they survive the truth?

DOWN UNDER
Eddie Wong Films Pty Ltd, Ealing Studios, Londinium
Producers Jodi Matterson, Ben Latham-Jones
Executive Producers Greg McLean, Abraham Forsythe
Writer/Director Abraham Forsythe
Australian Distributor Studio Canal
International Sales Embankment Films
Synopsis The first comedy to be set during a race riot.

FEATURE FILMS: COMPLETION FUNDING

THE LITTLE DEATH
Ticket to Ride Pty Ltd
Producers Jamie Hilton, Michael Petroni, Matt Reeder
Executive Producer Phil Hunt, Compton Ross, Josh Pomeranz, Viv Scanu and Stephen Boyle
Writer/Director Josh Lawson
Australian Distributor Hopscotch/eOne Entertainment
International Sales Level K
Synopsis Featuring an ensemble of breakthrough talent, The Little Death marks the arrival of Australian writer-director Josh Lawson, presenting an edgy sex comedy and a warm-hearted depiction of the secret lives of five suburban couples living in Sydney. Lawson's searing and sometimes shocking screenplay weaves together a story that explores a range of sexual fetishes and the repercussions that come with sharing them. 

THEATRICAL DOCUMENTARY

THE GUADAGNINI PROJECT
Fiddlestick Films Pty Ltd
Producer Kerry Heysen
Executive Producer Timothy White
Writer/Director Scott Hicks
Australian Distributor Sharmill Films
Synopsis A journey into a world of rarefied instruments and the dealers, philanthropists and musicians who seek them out.

TELEVISION: ADULT DRAMA

MOLLY
M4 Entertainment
Producer John Molloy
Executive Producers Michael Gudinski, Mark Morrissey
Director Kevin Carlin
Writers Matt Cameron, Liz Doran
Broadcaster Seven Network
Domestic/International Sales Mushroom Pictures
Synopsis At a time when Australia was finding her voice, Molly Meldrum helped us find the music.

THE PRINCIPAL
Essential Media & Entertainment
Producer Ian Collie
Director Kriv Stenders
Writers Kristen Dunphy, Alice Addison
Broadcaster SBS
Domestic/International Sales SBS Distribution, DCD Rights
Synopsis A gritty adult drama that revolves around a high school in Sydney’s tough south-west where life’s lessons are more often handed down on the streets than in the classroom.

PROJECT CM (working title)
Goalpost Pictures Australia Pty Ltd & Pukeko Pictures
Producers Rosemary Blight, Ryan Griffen, Angela Littlejohn & Lauren Edwards
Executive Producers Sally Riley, Kylie du Fresne, Ben Grant, Martin Baynton, Adam Fratto Writers Jon Bell, Jonathan Gavin, Michael Miller
Broadcaster ABC Television
Domestic Sales eOne Entertainment
International Sales Red Arrow International GmbH
Synopsis As a community struggles to co-exist with non-human creatures living amongst them, two estranged brothers find themselves at a crossroads.

SECRET CITY
Matchbox Productions Pty Ltd
Producer Joanna Werner
Executive Producer Penny Chapman
Writers Belinda Chayko, Matt Cameron, Marieke Hardy, Alice Addison, Tommy Murphy, Kris Mrksa, Greg Waters
Broadcaster FOXTEL
Domestic/International Sales Universal Media Studios International Ltd
Synopsis Amidst rising tension between China and America, senior political journalist, Harriet Dunkley, pursues a long-buried and exposing secret, leading to assassination attempts, suicide and murder. Beneath the placid façade of Canberra, she uncovers a ‘secret city’ of high-level Australians corrupted by the competing super-powers.

TELEVISION: CHILDREN’S DRAMA

DOGSTAR: CHRISTMAS IN SPACE
Media World Pictures Pty Ltd
Producer Colin South
Director Scott Vanden Bosch
Writers Philip Dalkin, Doug MacLeod
Broadcaster Nine Network
Domestic/International Sales DARO Film Distribution
Synopsis In space, no one can hear you open your presents.

MY LIFE IN 50 WORDS OR LESS
Big Chance Films Pty Ltd
Producers Joanna Werner, Miranda Dear
Executive Producers Darren Dale, Joanna Werner
Director Rachel Perkins
Writers Liz Doran, Jon Bell, Nakkiah Lui, Josh Mapleston, Kristen Dunphy
Broadcaster ABC Television
Domestic/International Sales Australian Children’s Television Foundation
Synopsis A long way from home, five Indigenous kids come to the city to explore their dreams. For some it’s the opportunity of a lifetime, for others it’s a last chance. For all of them, family is the last thing they expect to find.

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A VISUAL artist, a filmmaker and a curator are just some of the creative people selected to be tenants in the City of Sydney’s first affordable live-work spaces for emerging artists.

The spaces have been offered to six artists for one year as part of Sydney’s efforts to support culture and creativity at the city’s William Street Creative Hub. 

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the city’s program of affordable creative spaces in William and Oxford Streets was giving talented Sydneysiders the opportunity to build thriving businesses and contribute to the city’s growing reputation for culture. 

“Artists make a valuable and unique contribution to our city,” Cr Moore said.

“In a global city like Sydney, people working in creative industries face real challenges finding affordable living and working spaces.

“The William Street live-work spaces are the city’s latest step in supporting creativity and culture. They build upon the success we’ve had with our creative spaces in Oxford St, and help grow William St’s reputation for art and innovation.”

The six units at 113-115 William St in Darlinghurst feature a bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and artist-in-residence work space, with a weekly rent of $250 – well below established rental rates for the area.

The artists were selected following a call-out for interested parties, run by the city in collaboration with independent arts organisation, Gaffa. Creative spaces will be provided at affordable rates for established and emerging artists and designers to create and live in the inner-city.

New William St tenant and curator Sophie Kitson said she was excited to be part of an initiative that embraces and supports creatives to nurture and grow their businesses.

“It’s so refreshing that the City of Sydney recognises that artists like myself need studio space in which to work, create ideas and art, build our business and develop our careers,” Ms Kitson said.

“My property will function predominately as an office/workspace for the development of various curatorial projects.

“By residing and working from the one location, I will be able to dedicate my time and energy to writing and creating programs and schedules as well as collecting and acquiring artwork and equipment to install in galleries located in the City of Sydney area.” 

Selected from 49 applicants, the six artists moving into the premises are: 

* Sophie Kitson – an emerging curator with a passion for contemporary art theory, biennales, experimental film and music, spatial relations, land art and rocks. Over the last few years, she has been involved in various architecture, design, public programs and arts projects in Melbourne, Sydney and Italy.

* Monica Brooks and Peter Nelson– multi-disciplinary artists who together produce innovative projects using improvised music, experimental sound composition, painting, animation, 3D printing and prose. In recent years, Ms Brooks and Mr Nelson have presented their works at Australian and international museums, festivals and residencies.

* Ramesh Mario Nithyendran – 2D and 3D visual artist whose works include painting, drawing and printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and installation.

* Linda Dement – an artist and photographer whose works in photography, writing, film and digital arts have been exhibited in galleries and festivals locally and internationally.

* Amber Boardman – a visual artist whose works explore visual representations of music and emotion fused with animated, digital and handmade elements. Ms Boardman has worked with a number of composers and live performers on a series of ‘visual concerts’ as well as immersive public art installations.

* Larin Sullivan – a filmmaker and video artist who began her career in Los Angeles, working on the Sundance Film Festival. Ms Sullivan works as a producer of short-form documentary and arts-related content and is currently working on an Australian biographical political drama.

This is not the first time artists have lived at 113-115 William St. During the Depression of the 1930s, one resident, who described himself as a ‘first class pianist’, was so desperate for work he placed an ad in the Sydney Morning Herald saying he would “take anything” and had a “good sedan car” and 12 years’ driving experience.

The latest group of artists and creatives will join others working in studios, offices, co-working spaces and galleries in the City’s William St Creative Hub.

In June last year seven creatives working in architecture, fashion, design and digital music established their offices on Level 3 at 101–111 William Street, joining flagship commercial tenants Hub Sydney and Cloth Fabric.

www.creativecitysydney.com.au

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THE State Library of Queensland has honoured five award recipients through its annual Queensland Memory Awards program.

State Librarian Janette Wright said the Queensland Memory Awards, supported by the Queensland Library Foundation, recognise important new contributions to the state’s history and documentary heritage. 

“These awards offer those with a keen interest in Queensland history the opportunity to use the materials in the John Oxley Library to uncover our state’s untold stories,” Ms Wright said.

The 2014 award recipients are: Thomas Blake (John Oxley Library Fellowship — 12 months residency in the John Oxley Library), Madeleine King and Nadia Buick (Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame Fellowship — six months residency in the John Oxley Library), Richard Stringer (John Oxley Library Award), and Adopt a Digger (John Oxley Library Community History Award).

Presented by the Governor of Queensland, Penelope Wensley, the inaugural Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame Fellowship was awarded to Madeleine King and Nadia Buick for their proposed project High Street Histories: Queensland’s fashion business leaders.

Therecipient of the prestigious John Oxley Library Fellowship, supported by the Queensland Library Foundation, is Thomas Blake for his proposed project Liquid Gold: the history of the Great Artesian Basin in Queensland.

“High Street Histories is described by the judging panel as creative, innovative, engaging; it has the potential to change people’s minds about business history,” Ms Wright said.

“This online project will examine Queensland’s fashion business history and map approximately 12 key fashion sites throughout the state with an aim to link these sites to the communities around them.

“The judging panel believe well-known historian Thomas Blake’s project Liquid Gold will be of great public interest as the project documents the history of the Great Artesian Basin, with a focus on its social and economic impacts.

“Thomas plans to expand on his 2006 historical overview of the Great Artesian Basin and explore the effects on areas such as pastoral industries, towns and settlements, Indigenous groups, health, and recreation.”

Louise Denoon, executive manager Queensland Memory, said an extensive list of candidates was compiled in the search for the John Oxley Library Award and John Oxley Library Community History Award recipients.

“Distinguished architectural photographer Richard Stringer was presented the John Oxley Library Award for his work in documenting Queensland’s landscape and architecture heritage over the past 40 years,” Ms Denoon said.

“Richard is renowned for his ability to capture the significance and spirit of structures and places in his photographs and his work has been featured in various landmark publications and exhibitions.”

The John Oxley Library Community History Award, supported by the Queensland Library Foundation, has been granted to Adopt a Digger, a voluntary community project that commemorates the Sunshine Coast region’s men and women who served during the First World War.

“Local residents, historians, school students and descendants are encouraged to ‘adopt a digger’, research the person’s military history and upload this information to the website,” Ms Denoon said.

“This is an outstanding example of a voluntary community project with over 1,300 diggers adopted by the community so far.”

Fellows, researchers, writers, filmmakers, academics, artists and storytellers have delved into thousands of original materials in the John Oxley Library for many years. The Queensland Memory Awards offers the rare opportunity to celebrate excellence in this research and recognise new contributions to Queensland’s documentary heritage.

www.slq.qld.gov.au

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THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE PRINT EDITION OF BUSINESS ACUMEN, ISSUE #76.