Jessica Mauboy, star of 2013 Australian breakout hit “The Sapphires,” returns to a leading film role for the first time in over a decade in family feature “Windcatcher.”
Directed by Tanith Glynn-Maloney, from a screenplay by Boyd Quakawoot, the film is branded as a Stan Original and will play on the Australia-only streamer from March 28.
Set in a small country town, “Windcatcher” follows the unlikely friendship between Percy Boy, newcomer Keithy Cobb and the spirited Daisy Hawkins, as they band together to take the local school sports day title from a group of grade five bullies. But as Percy Boy trains with the help of his mates, he then discovers his supernatural ability to see lost souls – a gift passed down from his grandfather. Percy Boy must overcome his fears, prove his resilience and become a force to be reckoned with.
Mauboy, who is an iconic figure in Australian entertainment has...
Directed by Tanith Glynn-Maloney, from a screenplay by Boyd Quakawoot, the film is branded as a Stan Original and will play on the Australia-only streamer from March 28.
Set in a small country town, “Windcatcher” follows the unlikely friendship between Percy Boy, newcomer Keithy Cobb and the spirited Daisy Hawkins, as they band together to take the local school sports day title from a group of grade five bullies. But as Percy Boy trains with the help of his mates, he then discovers his supernatural ability to see lost souls – a gift passed down from his grandfather. Percy Boy must overcome his fears, prove his resilience and become a force to be reckoned with.
Mauboy, who is an iconic figure in Australian entertainment has...
- 2/5/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
“Fool Me Once” star Michelle Keegan is set to return for a second season of “Ten Pound Poms.”
Set in post-war Britain, the U.K.-Australian co-production follows a group of Brits as they leave behind their dreary lives to seek adventure down under. (In Australia “Pom” is a nickname for British people).
Keegan stars as nurse Kate Thorne in the show, which was created by “Fool Me Once” screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst.
Season 2 will pick up as Thorne tries to turn her Australian dream into reality as well as introducing some new characters who are sure to bring the drama, including the Skinner family, who have arrived from Ireland, and an unscrupulous landlord called Benny Bates.
Faye Marsay (“Black Mirror”) and Warren Brown (“Luther”) will also reprise their roles in the show alongside Rob Collins (“Mystery Road”) as Ron, Leon Ford (“Elvis) as Bill, Declan Coyle (“Long Black”) as Stevie,...
Set in post-war Britain, the U.K.-Australian co-production follows a group of Brits as they leave behind their dreary lives to seek adventure down under. (In Australia “Pom” is a nickname for British people).
Keegan stars as nurse Kate Thorne in the show, which was created by “Fool Me Once” screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst.
Season 2 will pick up as Thorne tries to turn her Australian dream into reality as well as introducing some new characters who are sure to bring the drama, including the Skinner family, who have arrived from Ireland, and an unscrupulous landlord called Benny Bates.
Faye Marsay (“Black Mirror”) and Warren Brown (“Luther”) will also reprise their roles in the show alongside Rob Collins (“Mystery Road”) as Ron, Leon Ford (“Elvis) as Bill, Declan Coyle (“Long Black”) as Stevie,...
- 1/31/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Sbs has announced the six successful candidates for its inaugural Emerging Writers’ Incubator, to be held in partnership with production companies across the country.
Sebastian Chan, Lâle Teoman, Nicholas Lin, Ansuya Nathan, Alberto Di Troia, and Cassandra Nguyen will each be employed for 12 months across Bunya Productions, Goalpost Pictures, Tony Ayres Productions, Komixx Entertainment Australia, Closer Productions, and Ludo Studio.
During their placements, the candidates will have the opportunity to develop their skills while working across the production companies’ slate of drama productions and have access to creative and training workshops.
The initiative, which was launched in February, is designed to support the development of emerging screenwriters from underrepresented backgrounds.
It is delivered in partnership with Screen Australia and the state and territory and agencies, with assistance from the Australian Writers’ Guild.
Sbs scripted commissioning editor Donna Chang said the broadcaster looked forward to embarking on the 12-month journey with the successful candidates.
Sebastian Chan, Lâle Teoman, Nicholas Lin, Ansuya Nathan, Alberto Di Troia, and Cassandra Nguyen will each be employed for 12 months across Bunya Productions, Goalpost Pictures, Tony Ayres Productions, Komixx Entertainment Australia, Closer Productions, and Ludo Studio.
During their placements, the candidates will have the opportunity to develop their skills while working across the production companies’ slate of drama productions and have access to creative and training workshops.
The initiative, which was launched in February, is designed to support the development of emerging screenwriters from underrepresented backgrounds.
It is delivered in partnership with Screen Australia and the state and territory and agencies, with assistance from the Australian Writers’ Guild.
Sbs scripted commissioning editor Donna Chang said the broadcaster looked forward to embarking on the 12-month journey with the successful candidates.
- 9/28/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
A Beginner’s Guide to Grief is the latest project to be greenlit via Sbs and Screen Australia’s Digital Originals initiative, with an additional six projects selected for further development.
The series, written by and starring Anna Lindner, follows 31-year-old Harriet Wylde as she returns to her hometown in remote South Australia to care for two terminally ill parents. When both pass away within weeks of each other, she’s forced to face her ultimate fear: absolute aloneness. After reconnecting with her dysfunctional childhood friend Daisy, Harriet discovers that grief doesn’t play by any rules and soon, neither will she.
Renee Mao directs and the series’ EP and creative producer is Linda Ujuk, working with Kojo Studios colleague Kate Butler. Julie Byrne also produces. The South Australian Film Corporation (Safc) has supported the production.
The series emerged from the Digital Originals initiative in 2019, which also included the upcoming queer dramedy Iggy & Ace,...
The series, written by and starring Anna Lindner, follows 31-year-old Harriet Wylde as she returns to her hometown in remote South Australia to care for two terminally ill parents. When both pass away within weeks of each other, she’s forced to face her ultimate fear: absolute aloneness. After reconnecting with her dysfunctional childhood friend Daisy, Harriet discovers that grief doesn’t play by any rules and soon, neither will she.
Renee Mao directs and the series’ EP and creative producer is Linda Ujuk, working with Kojo Studios colleague Kate Butler. Julie Byrne also produces. The South Australian Film Corporation (Safc) has supported the production.
The series emerged from the Digital Originals initiative in 2019, which also included the upcoming queer dramedy Iggy & Ace,...
- 8/25/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Sbs has announced a new head of scripted following an extensive search, with creative producer Julie Eckersley set to take the reins.
The broadcaster has also promoted Donna Chang to commissioning editor for scripted.
Eckersley has previously worked as a producer and in development across a range of genres, including drama, comedy, animation, documentary and children’s content.
Her experience includes nine years at Matchbox Pictures where she worked on projects such as The Family Law, Glitch, and Maximum Choppage.
She’s also held roles across different elements of production throughout her career, developing and producing projects with Australian networks, as well as internationally with Netflix and NBCU International.
The role had previously been held by Sue Masters for five years, before she departed in late 2019.
Former Foxtel head of drama Penny Win has been Sbs’s acting head of scripted for the past six months. Prior to that, Amanda Duthie...
The broadcaster has also promoted Donna Chang to commissioning editor for scripted.
Eckersley has previously worked as a producer and in development across a range of genres, including drama, comedy, animation, documentary and children’s content.
Her experience includes nine years at Matchbox Pictures where she worked on projects such as The Family Law, Glitch, and Maximum Choppage.
She’s also held roles across different elements of production throughout her career, developing and producing projects with Australian networks, as well as internationally with Netflix and NBCU International.
The role had previously been held by Sue Masters for five years, before she departed in late 2019.
Former Foxtel head of drama Penny Win has been Sbs’s acting head of scripted for the past six months. Prior to that, Amanda Duthie...
- 6/24/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Aspiring drama practitioners with stories that reflect and explore the diversity of Australia in “innovative, entertaining and compelling ways” are invited to apply for this year’s Digital Originals initiative.
Delivered by Screen Australia and Sbs, the program is designed to develop projects from screen creatives who have been traditionally under-represented for Sbs On Demand and Nitv.
Up to 10 teams (which must include at least one writer) will be invited to attend an exclusive workshop in Sydney scheduled for May 4-6, featuring a range of industry guest presenters.
The workshop will focus on short-form narrative writing skills, as well as developing the projects to align with the Sbs Charter and Sbs platforms, culminating in a pitch to Screen Australia and Sbs.
Of these 10 teams, up to four will be chosen to take their projects into further development, from which three will be chosen for production funding and commissioning with Screen Australia and Sbs.
Delivered by Screen Australia and Sbs, the program is designed to develop projects from screen creatives who have been traditionally under-represented for Sbs On Demand and Nitv.
Up to 10 teams (which must include at least one writer) will be invited to attend an exclusive workshop in Sydney scheduled for May 4-6, featuring a range of industry guest presenters.
The workshop will focus on short-form narrative writing skills, as well as developing the projects to align with the Sbs Charter and Sbs platforms, culminating in a pitch to Screen Australia and Sbs.
Of these 10 teams, up to four will be chosen to take their projects into further development, from which three will be chosen for production funding and commissioning with Screen Australia and Sbs.
- 2/1/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Fifteen Indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse (Cald) practitioners are set to participate in Cinespace Inc’s Package to Pitch program, an online masterclass on pitching into the market.
Selected by a culturally diverse panel, they include: Amal Awad, Alan Nguyen, Ana Tiwary, Orson Dijle, Serah Nathan, Karl Fernando, Eliza Matengu, Vonne Patiag, Theresa Gunarso, Jeremy Nguyen, Divya Vaman, Kim Ho, Michelle Ny, Sam Calafiore and Eva Justine Torkkola. Each has a pilot TV script they’re ready to pitch.
The program, supported via the Screenrights Cultural Fund, has been designed and facilitated by filmmaker John Kassab to help bridge the gap between outstanding emerging diverse creatives and the broader industry.
To be held online in February and March, the program will feature talks with a range of industry heavy hitters including Tony Ayres, Laura Waters, Michael McMahon, Donna Chang, Robert Connolly, Rachel Okine, Genevieve Chang, Ian Collie, Katherine Slattery,...
Selected by a culturally diverse panel, they include: Amal Awad, Alan Nguyen, Ana Tiwary, Orson Dijle, Serah Nathan, Karl Fernando, Eliza Matengu, Vonne Patiag, Theresa Gunarso, Jeremy Nguyen, Divya Vaman, Kim Ho, Michelle Ny, Sam Calafiore and Eva Justine Torkkola. Each has a pilot TV script they’re ready to pitch.
The program, supported via the Screenrights Cultural Fund, has been designed and facilitated by filmmaker John Kassab to help bridge the gap between outstanding emerging diverse creatives and the broader industry.
To be held online in February and March, the program will feature talks with a range of industry heavy hitters including Tony Ayres, Laura Waters, Michael McMahon, Donna Chang, Robert Connolly, Rachel Okine, Genevieve Chang, Ian Collie, Katherine Slattery,...
- 1/27/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Donna Chang.
Donna Chang is set to join Sbs as a development executive, working across the broadcaster’s scripted slate.
Starting next week and reporting into the acting head of scripted Amanda Duthie, Chang will take a leading role in developing the Sbs’s pipeline of commissions across long-form drama, short-form and feature initiatives.
Donna joins from Lingo Pictures, where she has worked since 2018 as head of development. Prior to that, she was a development executive at Screen Australia, and spent several years working in the as a production executive for Ridley Scott’s Scott Free.
Duthie said: “It is exciting as we exit the Covid cloud to be gearing up with commissioned content across the slate and welcoming the exceptional talents of Donna Chang to the Sbs team. With big plans for Sbs across features, short form and prime time series, Donna brings experience and sensitivity in developing outstanding fiction,...
Donna Chang is set to join Sbs as a development executive, working across the broadcaster’s scripted slate.
Starting next week and reporting into the acting head of scripted Amanda Duthie, Chang will take a leading role in developing the Sbs’s pipeline of commissions across long-form drama, short-form and feature initiatives.
Donna joins from Lingo Pictures, where she has worked since 2018 as head of development. Prior to that, she was a development executive at Screen Australia, and spent several years working in the as a production executive for Ridley Scott’s Scott Free.
Duthie said: “It is exciting as we exit the Covid cloud to be gearing up with commissioned content across the slate and welcoming the exceptional talents of Donna Chang to the Sbs team. With big plans for Sbs across features, short form and prime time series, Donna brings experience and sensitivity in developing outstanding fiction,...
- 10/7/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
With each new release, the Halloween movies have continued to draw in audiences with the promise of another round of characters fighting to live through a horrific October night. But it comes as a shock to learn that an actress who played the part of one of Michael Myers’ fictional victims recently suffered through her own real-life traumatic experience.
Daisy McCracken, known for her portrayal of Donna Chang in 2002’s Halloween: Resurrection, was kidnapped from her home last May, along with fellow actor Joseph Capone. The two of them were brought by a pair of armed men to a new location and held captive with the demand that McCracken withdrew a sum of $10,000 from her bank. The kidnappers also stole the actress’s 2011 Lexus and subjected the two hostages to cruel, violent treatment.
Capone was reportedly put through an especially brutal ordeal. When the actor tried to protect McCracken from their assailants,...
Daisy McCracken, known for her portrayal of Donna Chang in 2002’s Halloween: Resurrection, was kidnapped from her home last May, along with fellow actor Joseph Capone. The two of them were brought by a pair of armed men to a new location and held captive with the demand that McCracken withdrew a sum of $10,000 from her bank. The kidnappers also stole the actress’s 2011 Lexus and subjected the two hostages to cruel, violent treatment.
Capone was reportedly put through an especially brutal ordeal. When the actor tried to protect McCracken from their assailants,...
- 7/5/2018
- by David Pountain
- We Got This Covered
Three suspects have been arrested on charges of kidnapping horror actress Daisy McCrackin and actor Joseph Capone and holding them for ransom for $10,000. The kidnapping occurred May 3, 2017 in South Los Angeles.
According to the indictment (via Variety), McCrackin, best known for her supporting role in “Halloween: Resurrection,” and Capone were kidnapped at her home by two men, Keith Stewart and Johntae Jones. A third person, Amber Neal, allegedly helped in holding McCrackin and Capone for ransom. The indictment says Stewart and Jones pistol-whipped Capone and dragged him into a car. McCrackin was then forced into the vehicle.
Prosecutors say McCrackin and Capone were brought to Jones’ home in Compton. Capone was stripped naked, forced into a bathtub, and not given food for a 30-hour period. The indictment also says that Capone was beaten and kicked after he tried to protect McCrackin against the suspects.
The indictment alleges Neal got involved...
According to the indictment (via Variety), McCrackin, best known for her supporting role in “Halloween: Resurrection,” and Capone were kidnapped at her home by two men, Keith Stewart and Johntae Jones. A third person, Amber Neal, allegedly helped in holding McCrackin and Capone for ransom. The indictment says Stewart and Jones pistol-whipped Capone and dragged him into a car. McCrackin was then forced into the vehicle.
Prosecutors say McCrackin and Capone were brought to Jones’ home in Compton. Capone was stripped naked, forced into a bathtub, and not given food for a 30-hour period. The indictment also says that Capone was beaten and kicked after he tried to protect McCrackin against the suspects.
The indictment alleges Neal got involved...
- 7/4/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Chasing Asylum. The first nominees for the 6th Aacta Awards have been announced, with the Australian Academy revealing those up for gongs in three categories: Best Feature Length Documentary, Best Short Animation and Best Short Fiction Film.
Nominees in feature film and television will be named later this year.
Under consideration for Best Feature Documentary is Eva Orner.s expose of Australian offshore detention, Chasing Asylum, and Dan Jackson.s debut In The Shadow of the Hill, which follows locals living in Rio de Janiero.s largest slum and their fight for justice.
They will vie against Nikolas Bird and Eleanor Sharp.s Remembering the Man, about couple Timothy Congriave and John Caleo — whose love story was the subject of feature film Holding the Man, and Snow Monkey, a portrait of daily life in Jalalabad, produced by Lizzette Atkins and directed by artist George Gittoes.
Up for the Best Short Animation gong is Joel Best,...
Nominees in feature film and television will be named later this year.
Under consideration for Best Feature Documentary is Eva Orner.s expose of Australian offshore detention, Chasing Asylum, and Dan Jackson.s debut In The Shadow of the Hill, which follows locals living in Rio de Janiero.s largest slum and their fight for justice.
They will vie against Nikolas Bird and Eleanor Sharp.s Remembering the Man, about couple Timothy Congriave and John Caleo — whose love story was the subject of feature film Holding the Man, and Snow Monkey, a portrait of daily life in Jalalabad, produced by Lizzette Atkins and directed by artist George Gittoes.
Up for the Best Short Animation gong is Joel Best,...
- 7/14/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia has invested in five short films this week, including the directorial debut of popular children's author and illustrator Graeme Base.
The Gallant Captain, adapted from Base's own picture book The Legend of the Golden Snail, was one of two films selected to share in $300,000 of financing as part of the Short Animation Production Program. The story, a child's pirate fantasy, will be co-directed by Base and producer Katrina Mathers (Nullarbor).
The second recipient, stop-motion sand animation short The Crossing, will be animated, written and directed by visual artist Marieka Walsh and producer Donna Chang. The Crossing is the pair's second sand animated short film, their previous collaboration The Hunter recently screened at the SXSW festival.
Previous shorts funded through the agency's animation program include the Oscar-winning films The Lost Thing and Harvie Krumpet.
After an intensive three-month development process, three live action films have also been selected to...
The Gallant Captain, adapted from Base's own picture book The Legend of the Golden Snail, was one of two films selected to share in $300,000 of financing as part of the Short Animation Production Program. The story, a child's pirate fantasy, will be co-directed by Base and producer Katrina Mathers (Nullarbor).
The second recipient, stop-motion sand animation short The Crossing, will be animated, written and directed by visual artist Marieka Walsh and producer Donna Chang. The Crossing is the pair's second sand animated short film, their previous collaboration The Hunter recently screened at the SXSW festival.
Previous shorts funded through the agency's animation program include the Oscar-winning films The Lost Thing and Harvie Krumpet.
After an intensive three-month development process, three live action films have also been selected to...
- 3/30/2012
- by Amanda Diaz
- IF.com.au
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