Screen Australia has provided funding for eight new feature films in development including projects by Bruce Beresford, Adam Elliot and Nadia Tass.
Clayographer Adam Elliot's animated adventure-romance feature Ernee is among the projects to receive single-draft development funding. It is the follow-up to his critically-acclaimed 2009 debut Mary and Max, which opened the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in that year.
Elliot recently told IF that the project is loosely based on his own life (in common with his previous work) and is likely to be a co-production, possibly with a company in France, where Mary and Max received a strong reception.
The project is set to be produced by Peter Kaufman and executive produced by Brian Rosen and Bryce Menzies.
Screen Australia has also provided development funding to Banjo & Matilda, a dramatisation of the true story of Banjo Paterson and Waltzing Matilda.
It is being written by David Roach and produced by Bill Leimbach – who also combined forces on 2009 Aussie war film Beneath Hill 60 – and will be directed by veteran Bruce Beresford (Mao’s Last Dancer).
The novel The Diary of Jimmy Porter is also set to be adapted for the big screen by writer Tony Morphett (Packed to the Rafters, Sea Patrol), with Nadia Tass (Matching Jack) directing and Lisa McCune and Gus Howard producing.
Other new feature projects to receive support include coming-of-age story Julian Corkle Is a Filthy Liar, which is based on the best-selling novel from DJ Connell, and two rock biopics: Bon Scott (about the former AC/DC frontman) and Michael (about former INXS singer Michael Hutchence).
FEATURE DEVELOPMENT – SINGLE DRAFT
BANJO & MATILDA
Synopsis: In 1895, with the country in turmoil a young city poet and journalist travels to a remote sheep station to track down a political agitator. When the clashes between union shearers and landowners turn to violence, a man is found dead in a billabong. Was it suicide or murder? A dramatisation of the extraordinary true story of Banjo Paterson and Waltzing Matilda.
Genre: Drama/Romance
Producer: Bill Leimbach
Writer: David Roach
Director: Bruce Beresford
BON SCOTT
Genre: Biopic
Producer: Lizzette Atkins
Writer: Sophie Edelstein
Director: Eddie Martin
Script Editor: Stephen Cleary
THE DIARY OF JIMMY PORTER
Synopsis: Based on the novel by Christine Harris.
Genre: Coming of Age Drama
Producers: Lisa McCune, Gus Howard
Writer: Tony Morphett
Director: Nadia Tess
ERNEE
Genre: Animated Adventure Romance
Producer: Peter Kaufmann
Executive Producers: Brian Rosen, Bryce Menzies
Writer/Director: Adam Elliot
JULIAN CORKLE IS A FILTHY LIAR
Genre: Coming of Age
Producers: Marian Macgowan, Sarah Radclyffe
Writer: Mark Herman
Synopsis: A hilarious romp through family life and black-sheepedness in small town, then slightly larger town, Tasmania in the 1980s. Based on the bestselling novel by DJ Connell.
MICHAEL
Genre: Biopic
Producers: Richard Lowenstein, Sue Murray
Executive Producer: Domenico Procacci
Writer/Director: Richard Lowenstein
Script Editor: Scott Meek
Synopsis: At the height of his internationally renowned career, a sudden blow to the head robs the famously sensual rock star of two of his most cherished senses. A series of personal battles follows, ending tragically with his death at the age of 37 the night before embarking on a world tour.
SECRET SISTERS
Synopsis: Friends forever… until a green-eyed monster appears. Five girls from the Go Girl franchise have their friendship tested by the school musical extravaganza.
Genre: Children’s/Family Film
Producers: David Rapsey, Moira Moss
Writer: Glenda Hambly
Script Editor: Alison Tilson
UNDER
Synopsis: A diver searching for a missing girl finds only questions: Is she his daughter? Was she murdered? Does her killer want him dead too?
Genre: Suspense Drama
Writer: Alice Addison
Adam Elliot (Photo by Suzy Woods).