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The arrival of Hollywood superstars and government money for tentpole movies have grabbed headlines in Australia. But independent film productions are also moving ahead in post-covid Australia.

Production will start next month in Perth, Western Australia on “It Only Takes A Night,” a film that is both a romantic comedy and a female empowerment movie. A first feature for writer-director Callan Durlik, the film follows four best friends on a girl’s night out, and end up on a path none expected.

Eliza Taylor (“The 100”) takes the starring role at the top of an ensemble cast that also includes George Pullar, Sana’a Shaik (“2067,” Netflix’s upcoming “Dive Club”), Arielle Carver-o’Neill (“Ash vs Evil Dead”), Charles Grounds and Jaime Ureta and local actor Ana Ika making her feature debut. Production is by Durlik and Josh Horneman of Rookies Ambush (“The Naked Wanderer”), Megan Wynn of Wynn Media (“The Invisible Man...

Melbourne is the setting for a new psychological revenge drama from director, writer, and producer Matthew Holmes.

Filming has begun in and around the city on The Cost, a tale of vengeance that spirals out of control across a 48-hour period.

The ensemble cast includes Jordan Fraser-Trumble, Damon Hunter, and Kevin Dee, with supporting roles from Joshua Jaeger, Cait Spiker, Sotiris Tzelios, Nicole Pastor , Adam Willson, Nadia Fragnito and Mark Redpath.

Co-written by Gregory Moss, the film is a co-production between Holmes’ Two Tone Pictures and producer Russell Cunningham of Rlc Motion Picture Entertainment, who teamed up for the historical drama The Legend of Ben Hall in 2016.

Adam La Rosa of La Rosa Productions is on board as executive producer, along with Rohan Muggleton, Alexander Moss, Ross Angelo, and Joshua Little.

Holmes said the story was designed to explore “the emotional and mental consequences” of carrying out an act of...

The Mv Bob Barker in Antarctic waters.

Before, during and after making the comedy The BBQ, director Stephen Amis and executive producer Tait Brady shot a feature documentary on a rather more serious topic: the long-running campaign to stop Japanese fishermen killing whales in the Southern Ocean.

Four years in the making, Defend, Conserve, Protect is having its world premiere this week at the American Documentary Film Festival in Palm Springs, California, attended by Amis.

Made in close collaboration with the Sea Shepherd organisation, the film was shot amidst clashes between the Japanese whaling fleet and Sea Shepherd’s boats.

Produced by Amis, Sea Shepherd Australia MD Jeff Hansen and Sea Shepherd colleague Omar Todd, the doc follows a young, passionate and fearless group of activists in their battle to defend the Minke whales as well as exploring the global marine activism movement and the importance of the world’s oceans.

A total of 145 scores were recently announced as being eligible for this year’s Academy Award, with everything from perceived frontrunner “La La Land” (Justin Hurwitz) and “Jackie” (Mica Levi) to outliers like “Sausage Party” and “Elle.” The final five will be nominated on January 24. In the meantime, avail yourself of this Spotify playlist featuring selections from 110 of the eligible scores — as well as the full list of every eligible score.

Read More: Oscar Best Score Contenders: The Inside Story of Creating 5 Diverse Frontrunners

Read More: Oscars 2017: Listen to 70 Songs Eligible for This Year’s Academy Award

The Abolitionists,” Tim Jones, composer

“Absolutely Fabulous The Movie,” Jake Monaco, composer

“The Accountant,” Mark Isham, composer

“Alice through the Looking Glass,” Danny Elfman, composer

“Allied,” Alan Silvestri, composer

“Almost Christmas,” John Paesano, composer

“American Pastoral,” Alexandre Desplat, composer

“The Angry Birds Movie,” Heitor Pereira, composer

“Anthropoid,” Robin Foster, composer

“Armenia, My Love,...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 145 scores from eligible feature-length motion pictures released in 2016 are in contention for nominations in the Original Score category for the 89th Academy Awards.

The eligible scores along with their composers are listed below, in alphabetical order by film title:

“The Abolitionists,” Tim Jones, composer

“Absolutely Fabulous The Movie,” Jake Monaco, composer

“The Accountant,” Mark Isham, composer

“Alice through the Looking Glass,” Danny Elfman, composer

“Allied,” Alan Silvestri, composer

“Almost Christmas,” John Paesano, composer

“American Pastoral,” Alexandre Desplat, composer

“The Angry Birds Movie,” Heitor Pereira, composer

“Anthropoid,” Robin Foster, composer

“Armenia, My Love,” Silvia Leonetti, composer

“Assassin’s Creed,” Jed Kurzel, composer

“Autumn Lights,” Hugi Gudmundsson and Hjörtur Ingvi Jóhannsson, composers

“The Bfg,” John Williams, composer

“Believe,” Michael Reola, composer

“Ben-Hur,” Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders, composers

“Bilal,” Atli Ӧrvarsson, composer

“Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna,...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has announced the 145 scores eligible in the Best Original Score category, includeing work from “Jackie” and “La La Land.” The latter film, a musical directed by “Whiplash” helmer Damien Chazelle, picked up the Los Angeles Film Critics Association’s award for Best Music earlier this month; “Jackie” was the category’s runner-up. Notably absent, meanwhile, are “Arrival” (which just landed a Golden Globe nod), “Manchester by the Sea” and “Silence.”

Read: ‘La La Land’: Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s ‘City of Stars’ Duet Will Sweep You Off Your Feet – Listen

Justin Hurwitz composed and orchestrated the “La La Land” score, while “Jackie” marks “Under the Skin” composer Mica Levi’s second silver-screen effort. Decades after becoming one of the world’s most renowned film composers, Ennio Morricone won last year’s Oscar for his work on Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight.