News

2016 Skip Ahead recipients Racka Racka..

Four YouTube creative teams will share from pool of $725,000 in funding, thanks to Screen Australia and Google.s joint initiative Skip Ahead.

Now in its third year, Skip Ahead is designed to support the next generation of YouTube creators to make ambitious content and build their careers.

Recipients will make a narrative-driven film of at least 30 minutes in length. It could be a film, series pilot or proof of concept, but must be a one-off standalone.

Among this year.s recipients are Adelaide.s Danny and Michael Philippou; aka Racka Racka. The brothers will create RackaRacka: Live, a one-off 30 minute comedy that sees them on a rampage in a haunted, abandoned theatre. Triptych (The Babadook) will produce.

Fellow brothers Theo and Nathan Saidden, the brains behind Superwog, will present a half-hour comedy The Superwog Show. It.ll be the story of Superwog, his dysfunctional family and his best mate.

2016 Skip Ahead recipients Racka Racka..

Four Youtube creative teams will share from pool of $725,000 in funding, thanks to Screen Australia and Google.s joint initative Skip Ahead.

Now in its third year, Skip Ahead is designed to support the next generation of Youtube creators to make ambitious content and build their careers.

Recipients will make a narrative-driven film of at least 30 minutes in length. It could be a film, series pilot or proof of concept, but must be a one-off standalone.

Among this year.s recipients are Adelaide.s Danny and Michael Philippou; aka Racka Racka. The brothers will create RackaRacka: Live, a one-off 30 minute comedy that sees them on a rampage in a haunted, abandoned theatre. Triptych (The Babadook) will produce.

Fellow brothers Theo and Nathan Saidden, the brains behind Superwog, will present a half-hour comedy The Superwog Show. It.ll be the story of Superwog, his dysfunctional family and his best mate.

Maya Newell's Gayby Baby, a Good Pitch Australia alumnus.

Good Pitch Australia has announced the selection of six new feature documentaries for its next event at the Sydney Opera House in November.

Hosted by Ian Darling.s Shark Island Institute in partnership with Documentary Australia Foundation, Good Pitch brings filmmakers together with NGOs, foundations, philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, potential corporate and brand partners, broadcasters and media to forge alliances around social impact films.

Darling, who is also chair and moderator, said Good Pitch Australia represented high impact philanthropy at its best, "with all of the key elements of collaboration, scale, partnership, and leverage - using the power of documentary to bring a community together for social change..

Good Pitch was originally devised by Britdoc in partnership with Ford Foundation and the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, and is held in various major cities around the world. Philanthropy Australia and Pro...

Gayby Baby, a Good Pitch Australia film in 2014.

Good Pitch Australia has announced the selection of six new feature documentaries for its next event at the Sydney Opera House in November.

Hosted by Ian Darling.s Shark Island Institute in partnership with Documentary Australia Foundation, Good Pitch brings filmmakers together with NGOs, foundations, philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, potential corporate and brand partners, broadcasters and media to forge alliances around social impact films.

Darling, who is also chair and moderator, said Good Pitch Australia represented high impact philanthropy at its best, "with all of the key elements of collaboration, scale, partnership, and leverage - using the power of documentary to bring a community together for social change..

Good Pitch was originally devised by Britdoc in partnership with Ford Foundation and the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program, and is held in various major cities around the world. Philanthropy Australia and Pro Bono Australia...

Actor Mike Djukic, director Richard Eames and art director Helena Tay Eames of Flushed.

The winners of the 28th annual West Australian Screen Awards, hosted by comedian Rhys Nicolson, were unveiled last night at the Heath Ledger Theatre in Perth. The big winner of the night was short drama We Were Here, directed by David Vincent Smith and produced by Joshua Gilbert and Simon Camp, which won four gongs including Cinefest Oz Best Short Form — Drama and Jaguar Best Performance by an Actress for Alexandra Nell.s performance. Flushed, written, directed and produced by Richard Eames, took out three awards including The Backlot Perth People.s Choice Award. . Feature film Bad Girl, written and directed Fin Edquist and produced by Steve Kearney, Bruno Charlesworth and Tenille Kennedy, took out the night.s most coveted award for Media Super Best Long Form — Drama, winning over The Legend of Gavin Tanner and Bngvel.

Actor Mike Djukic, director Richard Eames and art director Helena Tay Eames of Flushed.

The winners of the 28th annual West Australian Screen Awards, hosted by comedian Rhys Nicolson, were unveiled last night at the Heath Ledger Theatre in Perth. The big winner of the night was short drama We Were Here, directed by David Vincent Smith and produced by Joshua Gilbert and Simon Camp, which won four gongs including Cinefest Oz Best Short Form — Drama and Jaguar Best Performance by an Actress for Alexandra Nell.s performance. Flushed, written, directed and produced by Richard Eames, took out three awards including The Backlot Perth People.s Choice Award. . Feature film Bad Girl, written and directed Fin Edquist and produced by Steve Kearney, Bruno Charlesworth and Tenille Kennedy, took out the night.s most coveted award for Media Super Best Long Form — Drama, winning over The Legend of Gavin Tanner and Bngvel.

The Legend of Gavin Tanner.

We Were Here and Flushed have scooped the nominations for the West Australian Screen Awards.

The West Australian Screen Awards celebraes excellence and achievements in feature film, short film, web series, music videos, television production, documentary, games and interactive productions.

Short drama We Were Here, directed by David Vincent Smith and produced by Joshua Gilbert and Simon Camp, earned six nominations, the most for the awards.

Short comedy Flushed, directed and produced by Richard Eames, also received six nominations.

ABC comedy TV series The Legend of Gavin Tanner, written and directed by Matt Lovkis and Henry Inglis and produced by Lauren Elliott received five nominations, as did short drama Sol Bunker, produced by Glen Stasiuk and directed by Nathan Mewett.

Film and Television Institute Wa (Fti) chief executive, Paul Bodlovich, said the WASAs were one of the most important events on the cultural calendar in Western Australia.

Documentary musical Prison Songs and animated TV series God Squad each won three trophies at the 27th annual Wa Screen Awards.

Writer-director Jeffory Asselin.s Pinch was the surprise winner of. best feature film . drama, edging out Kill Me Three Times,. Paper Planes and The Reckoning.

The film revolves around a light-fingered teen who attempts to rip off a major drug syndicate to pay for his mother's life saving surgery.

Producer/director Lauren Brunswick received the $5,000 McKenna Hampton Young Filmmaker of the Year award.

Presented by Fti, the awards were handed out at the Heath Ledger Theatre on June 29, hosted by comedian Joel Creasey.

The Beyond West-produced Prison Songs by Kelrick Martin and Harry Bardwell took the prizes for best TV production . factual, best long form editing and sound. Martin also won the award for best long form direction..

God Squad by Troy Zafer and Nicholas Kempt was named best animation,...

The first round of Aacta Award winners have been announced today at the 4th Aacta Award Luncheon held at the Star Event Centre in Sydney.

Celebrating screen craft excellence in Australia, 22 awards were presented, recognising the work of screen practitioners working in television, documentary, short fiction film, short animation and feature film.

The Luncheon was hosted by writer/actor/producer/director Adam Zwar, who was also joined throughout the event by a list of distinguished presenters. including Aacta President Geoffrey Rush, David Stratton, Damian Walshe-Howling, Alexandra Schepisi, Charlotte Best and Diana Glenn.

In the feature film category, Predestination took home the most Awards; with Ben Nott Acs taking out the prize for Best Cinematography, Matt Villa Ase winning the award for Best Editing, and Matthew Putland scooping Best Production Design.

Tess Schofield was honoured with the Aacta Award for Best Costume Design for her work on The Water Diviner while...

Director Russell Crowe Movie up for Best Film: Australian Academy Awards 2015 nominations (photo: Actor-director Russell Crowe in 'The Water Diviner') Aacta Awards: Feature Film Categories Best Film The Babadook Kristina Ceyton and Kristian Moliere Charlie's Country Nils Erik Nielsen, Peter Djigirr and Rolf de Heer Predestination Paddy McDonald, Tim McGahan, Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig The Railway Man Chris Brown, Andy Paterson and Bill Curbishley Tracks Emile Sherman and Iain Canning The Water Diviner Andrew Mason, Keith Rodger and Troy Lum Best Director The Babadook Jennifer Kent Charlie's Country Rolf de Heer Predestination Peter Spierig and Michael Spierig The Rover David Michôd Best Actress Kate Box The Little Death Essie Davis The Babadook Sarah Snook Predestination Mia Wasikowska Tracks Best Actor Russell Crowe The Water Diviner David Gulpilil Charlie's Country Damon Herriman The Little Death Guy Pearce The Rover Best Supporting Actor Patrick Brammall The Little Death Yilmaz Erdogan...

Screen Australia will invest more than $2.3 million in 10 documentary projects, which it says will trigger more than $8 million in production.

Screen Australia.s documentary manager Liz Stevens said: .It.s very encouraging to see so many projects with solid international deals in this round. Australian producers are creating good opportunities in the international marketplace with strong stories, know-how and support from domestic broadcasters and Screen Australia . it.s a great collaboration. In the domestic arena the National Documentary Program continues to fund significant Australian stories that will resonate with Australian audiences..

National Documentary Program

Afghanistan: The Australian War 3 x 55 mins Essential Media and Entertainment Pty Ltd Producer Alan Erson Writer/Director Victoria Midwinter-Pitt Sales Agent ABC Commercial Broadcaster ABC TV Synopsis The complete story of Australia.s longest and most expensive modern war told by the generation of Australians who fought it, those who ordered it, our allies and enemies.

Screen Australia today announced it will invest $5 million in 13 documentary projects. The National Documentary Program has given the green light to three series and a one-off documentary, Welcome to Puntland, which follows the plight of a group of Somali Australians who return to their homeland in hope of repairing the fractured state. Produced for the Sbs by Andrew Ogilvie and Claire Jager, the project comes from writer/director Victoria Pitt and director/camera operator Tim Wise. Once Upon a Time in Carlton comes after the success of Sbs.s Once Upon a Time in Cabramatta and, subsequently, Once Upon a Time in Punchbowl, which is currently in production. The series, produced by Sue Clothier, will delve into 70 years of Italian migrant history in Carlton, Melbourne. The second series of art + soul will build on its success, offering new insights into contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, art and culture,...

Joe Hildebrand will return to Australian TV screens in 2013 with a new factual series taking aim at Australia’s belief it is ‘the lucky country.”

The Daily Telegraph journo reunites with Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder, the team behind his previous series Dumb Drunk & Racist for a six part series to air on ABC2.

The series is one of 13 documentary projects announced to receive funding from Screen Australia. The $5m agency investment is expected to trigger nearly $15m worth of production.

Produced by Michael Cordell and Toni Malone, and directed by Ivan O’Mahoney, “The Daily Telegraph’s rebel-rousing columnist travels the lucky country, shattering our myths, bursting our bubbles and slaughtering some sacred Australian cows,” according to a press release.

Dumb Drunk & Racist delivered a decent audience for ABC2, it’s debut episode rating 266,000.

Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder has also received funding for Two Men in China, the continuing environmental buddy series...

Gough Whitlam

The story of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s time in power and the changes of the era is among five documentary projects to receive $2m of investment from Screen Australia

Whitlam, produced by Beyond Screen Productions and Bombora Film and Music Co, will be a 2×55-minute documentary written and directed by Paul Clarke with Penny Robins producing, and Robins and Mark Hamlyn executive producing.

To air on the ABC, the documentary’s synopsis reads: “Whitlam examines an era and the man when as a country we were at our most confident and flamboyant, when we took risks and went to the margins. It was a time of power, of passion… and which divided us as a nation in a way that hadn’t happened before – nor since.”

The funding is part of Screen Australia’s National Documentary Program.

The funding round also included two films in the...

Paul Clarke.s documentary Whitlam and Gregory Miller.s and Nick Bleszynkski.s two-part Breaker Morant the Retrial are among the latest documentaries to receive Screen Australia funding.

Also receiving a slice of $2 million in total funding are The Search for the Ocean.s Super Predator, Outback Coroner, and Who Do You Think You Are?

.Backed by high-calibre and experienced filmmaking these documentaries will shine a light on a broad slice of Australian life,. Screen Australia.s documentary manager Liz Stevens said in a statement. .The result will be compelling and entertaining stories..

Whitlam is a National Documentary Program funded two-part documentary focusing on the life of Gough Whitlam. Made for the ABC, the production is produced by Penny Robins and executive produced by both Penny Robins and Mark Hamlyn.

Breaker Morant the Retrial is funded through the International Documentary Program and is being made for the History Channel. Directors...

Screen Australia has invested $4.5m in 20 documentaries, with a production volume worth $15m.

The agency said the demands on this month’s round of the domestic documentary program were high, with ABC, Sbs and pay TV “using close to their full allocation for the financial year”. Therefore, Screen Australia will pool its funds across the domestic and international programs for a total alloction of $7.5m.

The next two rounds in the 2010/11 year will be worth $1.8m each.

The approved projects are:

Wide Open Road

Bombora Films and Music Producer/Director Paul Clarke Broadcaster ABC TV Sales & Distribution ABC Commercial, Roadshow Synopsis An Australian social history of the 20th century – viewed through the windscreen of the cars that we so cherished.

Arthouse

Paalma Pty Ltd Producer/Writer Marian Bartsch Director Britt Arthur Broadcaster ABC Sales & Distribution ABC Content Sales Synopsis ArtHouse looks at the changing face of architecture, innovation and design...