News

Mckenna Grace has a new role booked!

The 17-year-old actress recently featured in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Previously, she held roles in The Handmaid’s Tale and the 2017 film I, Tonya.

On Monday (April 22), it was confirmed that Mckenna will lead an upcoming teen romance movie!

Keep reading to find out more…

Mckenna is set to star in Everything I Never Did, Variety reports.

The project will be directed by Last Cab to Darwin filmmaker Jeremy Sims.

According to producers Spencer McLaren, D.J. McPherson, and Jack Christian, Everything I Never Did “is a bittersweet love story that throws away cliches and sparks with originality, spontaneity, and surprise. It tells the story of troubled teen Liam Black and Jenna Reid (Grace), a seriously ill girl, who together embark on a transformative journey of living and loving in the face of adversity.”

Additional casting details have not been revealed. Production will begin in late...

The new spy thriller Chief of Station is set to hit stateside. The film, which stars Aaron Eckhart and Olga Kurylenko, comes from the production companies Bee Holder Productions and Concourse Media Film. The movie has now also secured a distributor as Vertical purchased the U.S. rights and has plans to release the project domestically in May 2024. Matthew Shreder, a producer on the film, says, “Chief of Station is an elevated spy thriller that delivers impressive action, suspense and Bond-esque vibes. Vertical is the perfect partner to bring this film to audiences nationwide and we look forward to seeing them launch it in a few months.”

According to Deadline, in the plot of the film, “Eckhart plays Ben, a former CIA European Station Chief whose world comes crumbling down after his wife, a former operative, dies in a terrible accident. After receiving cryptic information that his wife’s death...

Exclusive: Vertical has acquired U.S. rights to spy thriller Chief of Station starring Aaron Eckhart, Olga Kurylenko and Alex Pettyfer.

The Bee Holder Productions and Concourse Media film is being lined up for a May 2024 domestic release.

Eckhart plays Ben, a former CIA European Station Chief whose world comes crumbling down after his wife, a former operative, dies in a terrible accident. After receiving cryptic information that his wife’s death might not have been an accident, Ben heads back into the shadowy underworld of Eastern Europe, teaming up with a former adversary to unravel a conspiracy that challenges everything he thought he knew about his wife and the agency he worked at for more than 20 years.

Supporting cast includes Nick Moran, Chris Petrovski, Daniel Bernhardt, James Faulkner, Laetitia Eido, Isobel Wood and Nina Bergman.

The film was written by George Mahaffey (Heatseekers) and directed by Jesse V. Johnson. Producers are Steve Lee Jones for Bee Holder and Matthew Shreder for Concourse.

Concourse handles sales and has sold the project around the world. Financiers include Ashland Hill Media Finance, Filmology Finance, Blue Rider Media, and Tip-Top Productions. Other producers include Simon Williams, Daniel Kresmery and Jonathan Halperyn.

Executive producers include Jack Christian, D.J. McPherson, Rob McGillivray, Ben Stranahan, Julien P. Bourgon, Matthew E. Chausse, Juliana Lubin, Walter Josten, Patrick Josten, and Joseph Lanius. Co-producers include Tyler Condon, Kevin Human and Evangelo Kioussis.

Vertical’s SVP of Acquisitions Tony Piantedosi commented: “After our recent success working with Aaron on our release of The Bricklayer, we’re looking forward to bringing another must-see film to action fans looking for their next adrenaline hit. And Chief of Station certainly delivers it.”

“Chief of Station is an elevated spy thriller that delivers impressive action, suspense and Bond-esque vibes,” said Shreder. “Vertical is the perfect partner to bring this film to audiences nationwide and we look forward to seeing them launch it in a few months.”

Current and upcoming Vertical releases include 2023 Cannes Film Festival opener Jeanne Du Barry, directed by Maïwenn who stars alongside Johnny Depp; Sophie Barthes’ The Pod Generation starring Emilia Clarke and Chiwetel Ejiofor; Berlin Film Festival 2023 opener She Came to Me directed by Rebecca Miller and starring Peter Dinklage, Marisa Tomei and Anne Hathaway; and 2023 Independent Spirit Award winner Emily the Criminal with Aubrey Plaza.

DeWanda Wise of Jurassic World: Dominion is set to star in the possession thriller Killing Faith alongside Guy Pearce (Prometheus), with Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction) currently in final negotiations to join the cast as well. The project has already secured a SAG interim agreement, so it will be able to go into production in January of next year even if the SAG strike is still going on by then. Filming will take place in New Mexico.

Written and directed by Ned Crowley, Killing Faith will see Pearce taking on the role of Dr. Bender, a faithless physician who agrees to escort an anguished mother (Wise) on a journey across a treacherous desert. The mother is hopeful of finding a cure for her daughter’s mysterious illness: she is possessed by the devil.

Roth will be playing a character called Preacher Ross.

Ellen Wander and Jordan Dykstra of Film Bridge International...

Exclusive: Guy Pearce (Prometheus) and DeWanda Wise (Jurassic World Dominion) are attached to star in supernatural thriller Killing Faith, with Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction) in final negotiations to join.

Ned Crowley (Middle Man) is writer-director on the feature which Ellen Wander’s Film Bridge International is launching for sales at the AFM.

Pearce will play Dr. Bender, a faithless physician who agrees to escort an anguished mother (Wise) on a journey across a treacherous desert. The mother is hopeful of finding a cure for her daughter’s mysterious illness: she is possessed by the devil. Roth will play the role of Preacher Ross.

Having secured a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement, filming is due to begin in New Mexico in January, 2024.

The film will be produced by Ellen Wander and Jordan Dykstra of Film Bridge International, in partnership with Summer Crockett-Moore and Tony Glazer of Choice Films.

Film Bridge has closed...

Exclusive: Writer-director Courtney J. Camerota has wrapped production on her first feature, Dead Guy, a dark comedy shot under an Interim Agreement that will be introduced to buyers at AFM by CAA Media Finance. Among those in the starry cast are two-time Oscar nominee Michael Shannon (The Bikeriders), Golden Globe nominee Eva Longoria (Sylvie’s Love), Judy Greer (White House Plumbers), Luis Guzman (Story Ave), Amaury Nolasco (The Valet), Rory Culkin (Black Mirror), Curtis Armstrong (New Girl), Ashley Reyes (Walker), and Richard Ellis (Walker).

Dead Guy‘s plot is set into motion when an abrasive old man suddenly dies in the apartment of a neighbor. An absurd game of hot potato then begins with the not-so-dearly departed, as neighbors and building workers each pass the body along, in the hopes of not being linked to the old man’s demise.

Marking the launch of Shft, the new production company of Zac Adams, Dead Guy is also produced by Ryan Lewis of Ryan J. Lewis, Esq, as well as Chadd Harbold of Post Film. Jack Christian of Filmology served as a producer and financier. Exec producers included D.J. McPherson of Filmology, Jared Safier and Justin Safier of Safier Entertainment, Russ Posternak of Post Film, and Nathan Marcus.

Said Camerota, “I wrote this script years ago and to finally see it come to life is a dream come true. The opportunity to work with such an incredible cast, crew and producing team for my directorial debut has been an absolute honor. I can’t wait for the world to see Dead Guy.”

Producer Zac Adams stated that “as both a filmmaker and movie lover, the main goal is to always create films that are not only of the highest quality, but films that are enjoyable. With the world being as dark as it’s been the past few years, I hope our film helps spread some much needed light. It was an absolute honor and privilege in helping Courtney’s vision come to life.”

Added producer Ryan Lewis, “When I read this script I knew this movie had to be made. I’m thrilled that I got to help make it, and got to do so with both a friend and client in Courtney. Our incredible cast is a testament to Courtney’s writing and I’m overjoyed to see her vision come to life on the big screen.”

Shannon is repped by CAA, Range, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes; Longoria by WME, Linden Entertainment, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes; Greer by CAA, Artists First, and Felker Toczek Suddleson; Guzman by Gersh and Gravesend Entertainment; Nolasco by Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Goodman, Genow, Schenkman; Culkin by Paradigm and Brookside Artist Management; Armstrong by Cesd; and Reyes by Stewart Talent and Mosaic.

The children are not okay in Netflix’s upcoming psychological horror movie Run Rabbit Run, starring Sarah Snook (“Succession”).

The streaming service debuted a new trailer for the Australian horror thriller, giving a peek at the psychological unraveling of a mom and her daughter. Check it out below.

In Run Rabbit Run, “Snook plays a fertility doctor who believes firmly in life and death, but after noticing the strange behaviour of her young daughter, must challenge her own values and confront a ghost from her past.”

Daina Reid (“Shining Girls,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Outsider”)directed the film, written by Hannah Kent (The Good People, Devotion). Run Rabbit Run also stars Lily Latorre, Damon Herriman (House of Wax, The Nightingale, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), and Greta Scacchi (Darby & Joan, Shepherd).

Before her breakout performance in HBO’s smash hit “Succession,” set to make its final bow later this month,...

Following a premiere at Sundance 2023, where Netflix picked up the psychological horror film for an undisclosed sum, the streaming service has set a June 28 release date and unveiled the first trailer for "Run Rabbit Run." With Sarah Snook ("Succession") in the lead, Australian director Daina Reid's second feature film is about a single mother and fertility doctor named Sarah (Snook) who is shaken by her 7-year-old daughter Mia's (Lily Latorre) strange behavior and "inexplicable memories of a past identity."

The connection, as the "Run Rabbit Run" trailer reveals, is Sarah's late sister Alice who had an interest in wild rabbits and went missing when she was just seven years old. Mia turns out to have both things in common with Alice when she takes a liking to a rabbit that appears on their doorstep. You know where this is going, right? Mia believes she's Alice and seemingly begins turning on her mother,...

The first trailer for Netflix’s horror thriller Run Rabbit Run, starring Succession star Sarah Snook, has dropped.

The clip shows the fraught relationship between a mother (Snook) and her daughter (Lily Latorre) as the latter begins to act strangely. The film also stars Damon Herriman, Greta Scacchi and Trevor Jamieson.

Filmed in Melbourne, Run Rabbit Run is directed by Aussie filmmaker Daina Reid, known for helming episodes of the television series The Shining Girls and The Handmaid’s Tale, with a script by Hannah Kent.

The Hollywood Reporter‘s review described Run Rabbit Run as “moody and atmospheric” and that it “easily builds tension and dread.”

The feature premiered at Sundance this year as part of the festival’s horror-centric Midnight selections. Netflix acquired the global rights, aside from some territories where deals are already in place.

Indie studio XYZ Films financed Run Rabbit Run with Screen Australia. Snook also executive produced,...

Exclusive: Action-thriller Classified, starring Aaron Eckhart, Abigail Breslin and Tim Roth, has completed principal photography on location in Malta.

Santa Monica-based production and sales company Film Bridge International has unveiled first images ahead of introducing it to buyers at Cannes.

Classified is directed by Dutch, L.A.-based director Roel Reine, whose credits include Paramount’s Halo and Netflix’s Fistful of Vengeance.

Based on a screenplay by Bob DeRosa, best known for the comedy romance Killer, the film intertwines an international espionage plotline with a father-daughter relationship story.

Eckhart plays a veteran CIA hitman who has been receiving his orders via the classified ads section of newspapers for close to two decades.

Breslin plays his long-lost daughter, a UK M16 analyst who tracks him down to reveal the shocking news that his CIA boss has been dead for years, and the division has long been shut down.

Together, they...

Netflix previously acquired worldwide deal excluding select territories.

XYZ Films has sold out the world on its Sundance horror hit Run Rabbit Run starring Succession’s Sarah Snook and announced in Berlin a raft of international territory sales following an earlier deal with Netflix.

Rights have gone in Benelux, Eastern Europe, and Israel (Spi International), Latin America (California Filmes), Scandinavia (NonStop), Middle East (Falcon Films), Portugal (Nos Lusomundo), Taiwan (Moviecloud), Cis (Mint Films), Baltics (Acme Film), Hong Kong and Macau (Intercontinental Film Distributors), Philippines (Pioneer), and India (Pictureworks).

The transactions complement the previously announced worldwide deal excluding select territories with Netflix,...

The streamer has world rights excluding select territories.

Netflix has acquired worldwide rights excluding select territories on Sundance Midnight selection Run Rabbit Run, ahead of the film’s world premiere this evening (January 19) in Park City.

The film is the second feature from Australian filmmaker Daina Reid, who previously made 2010 comedy I Love You Too.

Run Rabbit Run stars Succession actress Sarah Snook as a fertility doctor whose firm beliefs in life and death are challenged by the strange behaviour of her young daughter, and a ghost from her past.

Netflix will release the title in 2023; territories in which it...

Netflix has picked up rights in the U.S. and numerous international territories to “Run Rabbit Run,” the Sarah Snook-starring psychological horror/thriller that premieres Thursday night at Sundance. The streamer plans a 2023 release for the film, which shot in Australia.

Snook plays a fertility doctor who firmly believes in life and death, but when she notices her young daughter behaving strangely, she must challenge her own values and confront a ghost from her past.

“Succession” star Snook stars alongside Lily Latorre, Damon Herriman and Greta Scacchi in the movie directed by Daina Reed, who has helmed TV episodes including “The Shining Girls” and “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Hannah Kent wrote the screenplay, with Sarah Shaw and Anna McLeish producing.

Executive producers are Nate Bolotin, Maxime Cottray, Nick Spicer and Aram Tertzakian of XYZ Films, Deanne Weir, Olivia Humphrey, Jack Christian, D.J. McPherson, Daina Reid, Sarah Snook, Jake Carter and Katie Anderson.

Netflix has nabbed the rights to the Sundance feature Run Rabbit Run, a horror thriller starring Succession‘s Sarah Snook. The film will premiere Thursday night as part of Sundance’s horror-centric Midnight selections.

The film is directed by Daina Reid, known for working with Elizabeth Moss on The Shining Girls and The Handmaid’s Tale, with a script by Hannah Kent. It centers on a fertility doctor who while trying to make sense of the strange behavior of her young daughter, must challenge her own beliefs and confront a ghost from her past.

Run Rabbit Run was filmed in Melbourne, Australia and produced by by Sarah Shaw and Anna McLeish. The indie studio XYZ Films, which financed the film with Screen Australia and others, handled international sales. Netflix has the global rights, aside from some territories where deals are already in place.

Snook stars alongside Lily Latorre, Damon Herriman and Greta Scacchi.

Ahead of the film’s premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, Deadline reports today that Netflix has acquired Run Rabbit Run, a horror movie starring Sarah Snook (“Succession”).

From XYZ Films and Carver Films, expect Run Rabbit Run to premiere later this year.

The Australian horror movie “follows fertility doctor Sarah (Snook). She firmly believes in life and death. However, after noticing the strange behavior of her young daughter, she must challenge her own values and confront a ghost from her past.”

Daina Reid directed the film, written by Hannah Kent.

Run Rabbit Run‘s cast also includes Lily Latorre, Damon Herriman and Greta Scacchi.

Producers are Sarah Shaw and Anna McLeish. EPs are Nate Bolotin, Maxime Cottray, Nick Spicer and Aram Tertzakian of XYZ Films, Deanne Weir, Olivia Humphrey, Jack Christian, D.J. McPherson, Daina Reid, Sarah Snook, Jake Carter and Katie Anderson.

The post ‘Run Rabbit Run’ – Netflix Acquires...

Exclusive: Some were expecting Netflix to curb their acquisitions here in Park City, but, as we told you earlier this morning, never count them out of the Sundance marketplace. Before its premiere in the midnight section tonight, the Reed Hastings-Ted Sarandos-run streamer has scooped up a majority of global rights on the Australian horror movie, Run Rabbit Run, starring 2x Emmy nominated Succession actress Sarah Snook. XYZ Films, which co-funded the film, brokered the deal with Netflix on behalf of the filmmakers.

A release for the Carver Films production is planned for this year.

Directed by Daina Reid off a script by Hannah Kent, Run Rabbit Run follows fertility doctor Sarah (Snook). She firmly believes in life and death. However, after noticing the strange behavior of her young daughter, she must challenge her own values and confront a ghost from her past.

Run...

Aaron Eckhart, Olga Kurylenko, Alex Pettyfer star; production start scheduled for this month.

Matthew Shreder’s Concourse Media has struck major pre-sales on the Aaron Eckhart, Olga Kurylenko and Alex Pettyfer spy thriller Chief Of Station, which is scheduled to commences production this month.

The film has gone to Wild Bunch for Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland, Signature Entertainment for the UK & Ireland, Rialto for Australia & New Zealand, Youplanet for Spain, MediaSquad for Eastern Europe.

In other key deals, rights have closed with Volga for Cis and Baltics, Phoenicia for Middle East and Turkey, Three Lines for Benelux, Mis Label for Scandinavia,...

Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has picked up North American rights to Gracie Otto’s Seriously Red, the Dolly Parton impersonator comedy which stars and was produced by Rose Byrne, that made its world premiere at SXSW.

Gravitas plans a Q1 2023 release.

The musical pic follows Red (Krew Boylan), who is at a crossroads in her life. A red haired woman grappling with high expectations and low self-esteem, she pours herself a cup of ambition and trades her 9 to 5 career in real estate for a life under the spotlight as a Dolly Parton impersonator. After misreading her work party’s dress code, Red tumbles outta bed into a new world of tribute artists and impersonators in her wild and messy journey that includes romancing a Kenny Rogers impersonator. Red must lose herself to find herself. As Dolly Parton says, “Be Yourself Because Everyone is taken’.” The film is produced with the full...

Here is a wrap-up of all the news you need to know from Tuesday, July 19, 2022.

Breeders, the comedy series that explores the challenges of modern parenting, is sticking around at FX.

The series was renewed today by Nick Grad, President, Original Programming, FX Entertainment.

The beloved series, starring Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard concluded its third season on FX this week and all seasons are available to stream on Hulu.

"Breeders has given us the special opportunity to watch the 'Worsley' family grow with each season and FX is thrilled to order a fourth season that will bring the next chapter of this hilarious yet brutally honest take on being a parent in today's world," said Grad.

"Our thanks to creators Simon Blackwell, Chris Addison and Martin Freeman, the entire creative team, Daisy and the cast, the crew and everyone at Avalon, FX Productions and Sky."

"Their efforts are what...

American acting icon Christopher Lloyd is set to join Simon Pegg and Minnie Driver in the cast of a dark comedy called “Nandor Fodor and The Talking Mongoose,” TheWrap can reveal exclusively.

“Nandor” comes from writer and director Adam Sigal (“Chariot”) and is filming now in Leeds in the United Kingdom, with Lloyd due to arrive on set later this week.

The film stars Pegg as Dr. Nandor Fodor, a real-life, famed Hungarian-American psychoanalyst, author, journalist and “parapsychologist” who was a leading authority on poltergeists, hauntings and other paranormal phenomena and in the 1930s advanced the theory that such hauntings could be the result of past unresolved mental tensions. The film is based on a true story of Fodor’s pursuit of “Gef,” an allegedly talking mongoose that inhabited the home of a family on the Isle of Man and attracted many ghost hunters, as well as the British tabloids,...

Top Australian actor Damon Herriman and U.K.-Italian star Greta Scacchi join “Succession” star Sarah Snook in horror-thriller “Run Rabbit Run” from “The Handmaid’s Tale” director Daina Reid. The film starts production in Victoria and South Australia this week.

Snook replaced Elizabeth Moss who was previously attached, but who dropped out late last year due to scheduling clashes. Snook plays a fertility doctor whose firm grasp on the cycle of life is put to the test as her young daughter begins to exhibit increasingly strange behavior.

The script was written by acclaimed South Australian novelist Hannah Kent (“Devotion,” “Burial Rites”) from an original idea developed with Carver Films. Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw of Carver Films are producing.

Los Angeles-based XYZ Films is executive producing, financing and handling world sales, having taken over sales duties from STX International which previously touted the project at 2020’s virtual Cannes Market. Storyd...

Paramount said Monday that it has acquired worldwide distribution rights to The Infernal Machine, a psychological drama/ thriller written and directed by Andrew Hunt and starring Guy Pearce. The pic just wrapped filming at Moviebox Studios’ facilities in the Algarve region of Portugal, which doubled for the U.S. Southwest border, and is now in postproduction.

Pearce plays Bruce Cogburn, a reclusive and controversial author who is drawn out of hiding by an obsessive fan. What ensues is a labyrinthine and treacherous game, creating a web of lies and manipulation that ultimately reveals the true meaning of The Infernal Machine. Alice Eve, Alex Pettyfer and Jeremy Davies also star.

Brothers Lionel Hicks and Julian Hicks and Spencer McLaren produced the UK-Portugal co-production from Moviebox in association with Spy Manor, Monte Productions and Filmology Finance. Richard S. Guardian, Michael Favelle, Jack Christian, DJ McPherson, Vanda Everke, Steve Jaggi and Alan Latham are executive producers.

Psychological thriller shot entirely in Algarve region of Portugal doubling for US Southwest U.S. border.

Paramount Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to the Guy Pearce psychological thriller The Infernal Machine.

The film is in post and scheduled for delivery in early 2022. Andrew Hunt wrote and directs the story about Bruce Cogburn, a reclusive and controversial author who is drawn out of hiding by an obsessive fan into a labyrinthine and treacherous game.

The cast includes Alice Eve, Alex Pettyfer, and Jeremy Davies. Brothers Lionel Hicks and Julian Hicks are producing with Spencer McLaren. Executive producers are Richard S. Guardian,...

D.J. McPherson.

After 10 years as a professional screenwriter, D.J. McPherson’s career has reached a sweet spot, with a hot-shot Hollywood producer attached to her first feature and a streaming platform backing her 10-part drama.

Mark Williams, the co-creator/producer of Netflix’s Ozark, will produce His Name Is Jeremiah, the saga of a teenage girl who struggles to reconnect with her estranged mother, with McPherson’s partner Jack Christian.

Filming of the TV series Did You Miss Me? was set to start in Queenstown New Zealand before the lock down as a New Zealand co-production. She’s not ready yet to identify the streamer or the co-producer.

Last November His Name Is Jeremiah won Truant Pictures’ inaugural screenplay competition.

The La-based McPherson, who is now back in Melbourne, sent the script to Williams because she loved the dark, comedic tone of Ozark, now in its third season.

The...

European cinemas body Europa Cinemas has named the winners of its 2019 awards. The Best Programming Award went to the team behind historical Slovenian cinema Kinodvor, director Metka Daris and programmer Koen Van Daele.

Established in 1923, the venue has two screens and regularly exceeds 120,000 admissions a year, as well a hosting up to 15 film festivals. Europa’s Young Audience activities prize went to two French cinemas with three screens each: the Lux in Caen, directed by Gautier Labrusse and Didier Anne, and the Café des Images in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, directed by Elise Mignot.

The two venues are independent but co-program and participate in numerous joint activities aimed at young people. Finally, the Best Entrepreneur Award went to Yanaki and Christo Dermendjiev, two brothers who have actively campaigned for the development of exhibition in Bulgaria. Today, they manage 12 cinemas and open-air theaters, and also work in distribution. The 2019 Europa Cinema awards were held in Lisbon.

D.J. McPherson.

Victorian-based writer D.J. McPherson has won the Truant Pictures screenplay competition with her project His Name Is Jeremiah.

McPherson’s screenplay is said to have stood out to judges with for its “rich character work, strong on-the-page craft and a twisted plot that kept readers guessing until the very end.”

Set in a rural Australian town, His Name Is Jeremiah tells the story of a teen struggling to adjust after her estranged mother returns from jail. Feeling lost and alone, the teen develops a dangerous obsession with a missing boy, setting off a chain of events that unfold mysteries from the past and present.

McPherson has been awarded a $5,000 cash prize, a hot desk for one week at Truant Pictures’ office in Sydney, and mentorship from Truant’s development and production executives Toby Nalbandian and Greg Schmidt.

Truant Pictures is the live-action genre arm of Animal Logic Entertainment,...

Three finalists have been selected for a screenplay competition run by fledgling Sydney and La-based production outfit Truant Pictures. The trio will be read and noted by Stuart Beattie, Zak Hilditch (Rattlesnake) or Yolanda Ramke (Cargo).

Launched in 2018, Truant is a subsidiary of creative studio Animal Logic. It is overseen by Animal Logic CEO Zareh Nalbandian with VPs of Development and Production Toby Nalbandian and Greg Schmidt.

The selected writers all have scripts from the horror, sci-fi or thriller genres. The winner, who will be announced on November 25, will receive a $3,400 cash prize, a hot desk for one week at Truant Pictures’ office in Sydney, and mentorship from Nalbandian and Schmidt.

The finalists are:

David Willing and Beth King – The Surrogate

When single mother Natalia gives birth despite not being pregnant, she discovers the ghost of a missing...

Truant Pictures development and production executives Toby Nalbandian and Greg Schmidt.

Animal Logic Entertainment’s live-action genre arm Truant Pictures has selected three finalists for its screenplay competition, designed to uncover emerging writing talent in the realms of horror, sci-fi and thriller.

The finalists, chosen from hundreds of submissions, are reported by Truant to “exhibit a unique voice, strong craft and a compelling command of their genre.”

The finalists are:

David Willing & Beth King (Vic) – The Surrogate

When single mother Natalia gives birth despite not being pregnant, she discovers the ghost of a missing child is hell-bent on destroying her family.

Jonathon Green & Anthony O’Connor (Nsw) – Emma After

A ghost girl falls in love with the living boy she’s meant to haunt away.

D.J. McPherson (Vic) – His Name Is Jeremiah

A damaged teen girl from a remote Australian town struggles to adjust when her violent mother is released from jail.

Matchbox Pictures. Nowhere Boys and Galaxy Pop.s Get Ace are in the running for next year.s International Emmy Kids Awards.

Created by Tony Ayres and produced by Beth Frey for ABC3, Nowhere Boys series 2 will compete for best kids series. The first series was nominated for the 2015 awards.

Created, directed and produced by Galaxy Pop's Gian Christian and Dina McPherson for Eleven and ABC3, comedy Get Ace is nominated in the animation category.

There are 24 nominees in six categories announced by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Nominations span 13 countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Singapore, the Netherlands, Norway and the United Kingdom

The ceremony is moving from New York to Cannes and will be presented in partnership with Reed Midem at Miptv.

The awards will be presented on April 5 2016, closing the Kids@Miptv track, which includes the Miptv Future of Kids TV Summit.

Gian Christian and Dina McPherson, co-founders of Melbourne-based Galaxy Pop, plan to move to the Us next year after opening an office in Los Angeles in November.

The writer-producer-director team is developing a package of theatrical features and telemovies including teen comedy New Cupid.

Aiming to build relationships in the Us, Galaxy Pop has signed with Hollywood entertainment management firm The Gotham Group for representation.

.I'll continue to head up Galaxy Pop globally, with Dina and I moving between La and Melbourne for the rest of the year,. Christian tells If.

.Pending our filming schedule in Australia, Dina and I will permanently move to La early next year, heading up the office there. A new head of the Melbourne office will be announced later this year.

"Backing for a number of the new projects is coming from Us broadcasters as we focus more and more on financing outside of Australia.

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...

Production has begun on Channel Ten's new animated children.s series, Get Ace, which is set to air late next year.

With a budget of over $10 million, the 26-episode Get Ace series is set to be one of the most expensive animated productions of its kind produced in Australia. Developed by Melbourne-based production company Galaxy Pop, Get Ace received financial assistance from Screen Australia and Film Victoria.

Galaxy Pop, consisting of writing and producing pair Gian Christian and Dina McPherson, has previously produced the children.s live action program Rock It! for Channel Ten. The production company is also developing the animated series Sunshine Friends aimed at preschoolers.

The cartoon series follows 12-year-old high-school student Ace McDougal and his adventures once being fitted with high-tech spy braces. Dina McPherson, head of creative at Galaxy Pop said Get Ace is action-packed with wacky characters kids will be able to relate to.

Kat Stewart

Shaun Micallef

A new FremantleMedia Australia production is one of four new television dramas receiving support from Screen Australia.

Produced by Andy Walker and Jason Stephens with Stephens executive producing, the 13-part, hour series Mr & Mrs Murder will air on Ten.

A murder mystery series, Mr & Mrs Murder follows Nicole and Charlie, a married couple who run an extreme cleaning business, specialising in crime scenes, solving the crimes before the police.

The synopsis reads “Armed with wit, smarts and the invisibility that cleaning brings, the duo solve the crimes the cops can’t in a murder mystery with a smile.”

Shaun Micallef of Talkin ‘Bout Your Generation and Newstopia co-created the series with Stephens.

Stephens told Encore: “We’ve found a tone that is not absurd at all, its quite grounded and real.”

Stephens said Micallef, who will play Charlie, alongside Kat Stewart of Offspring and Tangled as Nicole,...

Screen Australia has invested $5.6 million across four TV projects, including a comedy series for Nine, an ABC telemovie and two shows for Network Ten.

Nine's House Husbands tells the story of four modern Australian families through the eyes of stay at home dads. The ten-part series is produced by Sue Seeary and Drew Proffitt and will be directed by Geoff Bennett and Shirley Barrett. The show's stable of seven writers includes Griff the Invisible screenwriter Leon Ford.

After being commissioned by the ABC last October, Essential Media & Entertainment's adaptation of Peter Temple's novel The Broken Shore has also received funding. The adaptation is written by Andrew Knight, directed by Jeffrey Walker and produced by Ian Collie. It follows big-city detective Joe Cashin as he discovers that all may not be as it appears in a quiet coastal town.

FremantleMedia is producing Mr & Mrs Murder for Ten. The 13-part series...