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
Paramount+ will showcase an authentic take on the teen experience next year with coming-of-age drama More Than This.
Written and co-created by teen actor Olivia Deeble, the six-part series tells the oftentimes raw story of five 17-year-old students and their teacher whose diverse worlds collide when they are thrown together into a Year 12 English class.
Deeble stars alongside 18-year-old co-creator Luka Gracie and a young cast that includes Kamil Ellis, Ellmir Asipi, Josh Heuston, Oisin O’Leary, Celine Ajobong, Tharanya Tharan, and newcomer Selena Brincat, with Bert Labonte as the teacher.
Baby Banksia is producing the series with the assistance of Big Finish Creative, Shapeshifter Studios, and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Actf). Charmaine Gorman and Kate Gorman are producing, with the latter also directing with John Sheedy. Jason Haigh-Ellery, David Devjak, and Bernadette O’Mahony are executive producing with the Gorman siblings.
Deeble, who began working on the project while...
Written and co-created by teen actor Olivia Deeble, the six-part series tells the oftentimes raw story of five 17-year-old students and their teacher whose diverse worlds collide when they are thrown together into a Year 12 English class.
Deeble stars alongside 18-year-old co-creator Luka Gracie and a young cast that includes Kamil Ellis, Ellmir Asipi, Josh Heuston, Oisin O’Leary, Celine Ajobong, Tharanya Tharan, and newcomer Selena Brincat, with Bert Labonte as the teacher.
Baby Banksia is producing the series with the assistance of Big Finish Creative, Shapeshifter Studios, and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Actf). Charmaine Gorman and Kate Gorman are producing, with the latter also directing with John Sheedy. Jason Haigh-Ellery, David Devjak, and Bernadette O’Mahony are executive producing with the Gorman siblings.
Deeble, who began working on the project while...
- 12/2/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Writer/director Nicholas Verso is teaming up with producer Joanna Werner for ABC Me horror-comedy series Crazy Fun Park, which has begun production in Victoria.
Created by Verso and produced by Werner Film Productions, the 10-episode coming-of-age story follows best friends Chester and Mapplethorpe, a duo so inseparable, not even death can pull them apart.
After Mapplethorpe tragically dies in the town’s abandoned Crazy Fun Park, Chester discovers that his friend is now “living” with the other undead Fun Kids who also met their end at the park. The tragic turn of events means the two teens are forced to redefine their friendship, and as they navigate the already complicated teenage years, they fear their friendship may not be as eternal as they originally imagined.
Verso will direct the series with Adrian Russell Wills, and is also penning the episodes with Magda Wozniak, Craig Irvin, Enoch Mailangi and Fury.
Created by Verso and produced by Werner Film Productions, the 10-episode coming-of-age story follows best friends Chester and Mapplethorpe, a duo so inseparable, not even death can pull them apart.
After Mapplethorpe tragically dies in the town’s abandoned Crazy Fun Park, Chester discovers that his friend is now “living” with the other undead Fun Kids who also met their end at the park. The tragic turn of events means the two teens are forced to redefine their friendship, and as they navigate the already complicated teenage years, they fear their friendship may not be as eternal as they originally imagined.
Verso will direct the series with Adrian Russell Wills, and is also penning the episodes with Magda Wozniak, Craig Irvin, Enoch Mailangi and Fury.
- 11/3/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
French audiences will be treated to the second season of Hardball and film series DisRupted after they were sold to France Télévisions.
Apc Kids negotiated the deal for the titles, both of which are distributed worldwide by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Actf), excluding France.
Produced by Northern Pictures in association with Screen Australia, Create Nsw and the Actf, Hardball season two will launch on the network in 2022, following the season one debut on Okoo.
The first season was also sold to the BBC (UK), Nrk (Norway), Rte (Ireland), Tvo (Canada), Tfo (Canada), Tvb (Hong Kong), Rtp (Portugal), Rtv (Slovenia), and Sabc (South Africa).
Aimed at children aged 8-12, the second instalment picks up with life being great since Mikey won ‘Sasi-Wests-Hat’ handball tournament, but things get complicated with the end of primary school fast approaching, the arrival of new classmates who seem more like sporting superstar villains, and an...
Apc Kids negotiated the deal for the titles, both of which are distributed worldwide by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Actf), excluding France.
Produced by Northern Pictures in association with Screen Australia, Create Nsw and the Actf, Hardball season two will launch on the network in 2022, following the season one debut on Okoo.
The first season was also sold to the BBC (UK), Nrk (Norway), Rte (Ireland), Tvo (Canada), Tfo (Canada), Tvb (Hong Kong), Rtp (Portugal), Rtv (Slovenia), and Sabc (South Africa).
Aimed at children aged 8-12, the second instalment picks up with life being great since Mikey won ‘Sasi-Wests-Hat’ handball tournament, but things get complicated with the end of primary school fast approaching, the arrival of new classmates who seem more like sporting superstar villains, and an...
- 10/27/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Biologist and third-generation Indigenous educator Phil Breslin will lead a new ten-part children’s natural history factual series for ABC Me that has begun filming in Queensland.
Produced by Butter Media, Built to Survive will follow Breslin as he braves some of the country’s most extreme and hostile environments in search of animal species that have evolved to withstand the conditions.
His journey will include consulting with First Nations peoples about habitats and lifecycles, as he explores ecosystems in the remote wilderness of the Sunshine State.
Breslin produces alongside Jerry Butterfield and Dan Walkington, with Mary Ellen Mullane and Bernadette O’Mahony serving as executive producers.
Built to Survive is supported by support from Screen Nsw through the Nsw Pdv, and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, who will distribute the series.
ABC head of children’s production Libbie Doherty said the series would tap into the innate desire of children to better understand their surroundings.
Produced by Butter Media, Built to Survive will follow Breslin as he braves some of the country’s most extreme and hostile environments in search of animal species that have evolved to withstand the conditions.
His journey will include consulting with First Nations peoples about habitats and lifecycles, as he explores ecosystems in the remote wilderness of the Sunshine State.
Breslin produces alongside Jerry Butterfield and Dan Walkington, with Mary Ellen Mullane and Bernadette O’Mahony serving as executive producers.
Built to Survive is supported by support from Screen Nsw through the Nsw Pdv, and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, who will distribute the series.
ABC head of children’s production Libbie Doherty said the series would tap into the innate desire of children to better understand their surroundings.
- 10/14/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
The six young stars at the centre of Brindle Films’ adventure drama MaveriX have been revealed as production on the ten-part series commences in Alice Springs for the ABC and Netflix.
Set in the world of motocross, the children’s series follows a group of junior riders that make up the first intake of the MaveriX Academy.
Darcy Tadich, Tatiana Goode, Sam Winspear-Schillings, Tdjiirm McGuire, Sebastian Tang, and Charlotte Maggi play gifted individual riders that spend six weeks over the summer holidays in the challenging, yet beautiful, environments of central Australia.
The cast also includes Jane Harber and Rohan Nichol.
MaveriX is produced by Brindle Films’ Rachel Clements and Trisha Morton-Thomas – who collaborated on Finke: There and Back – and is written by Sam Meikle, Fin Edquist, Michelle Offen, Kelly Schilling and Sarinah Masukor.
Bernadette O’Mahony and Mary-Ellen Mullane are executive producers, alongside creators Clements, Meikle and Isaac Elliott, who will...
Set in the world of motocross, the children’s series follows a group of junior riders that make up the first intake of the MaveriX Academy.
Darcy Tadich, Tatiana Goode, Sam Winspear-Schillings, Tdjiirm McGuire, Sebastian Tang, and Charlotte Maggi play gifted individual riders that spend six weeks over the summer holidays in the challenging, yet beautiful, environments of central Australia.
The cast also includes Jane Harber and Rohan Nichol.
MaveriX is produced by Brindle Films’ Rachel Clements and Trisha Morton-Thomas – who collaborated on Finke: There and Back – and is written by Sam Meikle, Fin Edquist, Michelle Offen, Kelly Schilling and Sarinah Masukor.
Bernadette O’Mahony and Mary-Ellen Mullane are executive producers, alongside creators Clements, Meikle and Isaac Elliott, who will...
- 4/13/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
The Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Actf) has supported six projects with development funding, totaling $187,178.
The latest slate is a mix of live-action and animated series, as well as one feature film, Pirate Size Productions’ The True Colour of A Little White Lie.
Billy Anchor Productions’ Out of This World received a second round of investment to take their project to a second stage of development.
“It is exciting to see the diversity of concepts being submitted with the child audience front and centre of the ideas, as well as creatives also now thinking about where a project will sit in the market and how audiences now view content. This past 12 months has seen an exciting mix of projects come into the Actf and the bar well and truly raised,” says Actf head of content Bernadette O’Mahony.
The projects to receive development funding to March are:
ApplicantProjectDetailsAmountPirate Size ProductionsThe True Colour...
The latest slate is a mix of live-action and animated series, as well as one feature film, Pirate Size Productions’ The True Colour of A Little White Lie.
Billy Anchor Productions’ Out of This World received a second round of investment to take their project to a second stage of development.
“It is exciting to see the diversity of concepts being submitted with the child audience front and centre of the ideas, as well as creatives also now thinking about where a project will sit in the market and how audiences now view content. This past 12 months has seen an exciting mix of projects come into the Actf and the bar well and truly raised,” says Actf head of content Bernadette O’Mahony.
The projects to receive development funding to March are:
ApplicantProjectDetailsAmountPirate Size ProductionsThe True Colour...
- 3/8/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
‘First Day’.
Hulu has taken the US rights to Epic Films’ children’s drama First Day, with the series set to stream September 3.
The sale, brokered by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Actf), follows deals with the BBC for the UK, as well as Yle (Finland), Nrk (Norway), Svt (Sweden) and Momokids (Taiwan).
Created by writer/director Julie Kalceff and originally commissioned by the ABC, the 4 x 30 drama stars young transgender actor Evie Macdonald as Hannah Bradford, who is about to start her first year of high school. As a transgender girl, Hannah not only has to navigate the challenges that come with starting a new school but find the courage to live as her most authentic self.
The series was produced by Kirsty Stark and Kate Croser for Epic Films in association with Kojo Entertainment, with investment from Screen Australia in association with the South Australian Film Corporation, the ABC and Actf.
Hulu has taken the US rights to Epic Films’ children’s drama First Day, with the series set to stream September 3.
The sale, brokered by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Actf), follows deals with the BBC for the UK, as well as Yle (Finland), Nrk (Norway), Svt (Sweden) and Momokids (Taiwan).
Created by writer/director Julie Kalceff and originally commissioned by the ABC, the 4 x 30 drama stars young transgender actor Evie Macdonald as Hannah Bradford, who is about to start her first year of high school. As a transgender girl, Hannah not only has to navigate the challenges that come with starting a new school but find the courage to live as her most authentic self.
The series was produced by Kirsty Stark and Kate Croser for Epic Films in association with Kojo Entertainment, with investment from Screen Australia in association with the South Australian Film Corporation, the ABC and Actf.
- 9/1/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘Hardball’.
The BBC has acquired the UK rights to Northern Pictures’ live-action children’s series Hardball, to screen on Cbbc.
Created and written by Matt Zeremes and Guy Edmonds and produced by Joe Weatherstone, Hardball centres on Mikey, who’s recently moved from New Zealand to Western Sydney and found himself in the thick of the ultra-competitive, schoolyard game of handball.
With friends Jerry and Salwa, Mikey trains to become a weapon of precision and skill – equipped to topple resident king of the court, Tiffany, and take home the Western Suburbs handball crown.
The series was originally commissioned by the ABC, with support from Screen Australia, Screen Nsw and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Actf), with a second season due to begin production later this year. Directors on the first season included Darren Ashton, Kacie Anning and Fadia Abboud.
Actf brokered the sale to the Beeb, following on from other...
The BBC has acquired the UK rights to Northern Pictures’ live-action children’s series Hardball, to screen on Cbbc.
Created and written by Matt Zeremes and Guy Edmonds and produced by Joe Weatherstone, Hardball centres on Mikey, who’s recently moved from New Zealand to Western Sydney and found himself in the thick of the ultra-competitive, schoolyard game of handball.
With friends Jerry and Salwa, Mikey trains to become a weapon of precision and skill – equipped to topple resident king of the court, Tiffany, and take home the Western Suburbs handball crown.
The series was originally commissioned by the ABC, with support from Screen Australia, Screen Nsw and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (Actf), with a second season due to begin production later this year. Directors on the first season included Darren Ashton, Kacie Anning and Fadia Abboud.
Actf brokered the sale to the Beeb, following on from other...
- 7/29/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Michael and Danny Philippou.
YouTube sensations RackaRacka – aka Danny and Michael Philippou – will make their big screen debut with horror feature Talk to Me, produced by Causeway Films.
The project is one of six announced today as sharing in $6 million of production funding from Screen Australia.
Other projects backed include anthology feature Here Out West from Co-Curious and Emerald Productions, set in Western Sydney, as well as second seasons of Every Cloud Productions’ Ms Fisher’s MODern Murder Mysteries and Northern Pictures’ kids series Hardball; recently announced children’s series MaveriX; and Lgbtiqia teen series Flunk for YouTube.
Screen Australia head of content Sally Caplan said: “Australian creators continue to capture audiences around the world, such as the RackaRacka team which has built a huge following on YouTube and are now set to deliver a new experience for fans and newcomers alike with their debut feature film. Fans will be delighted...
YouTube sensations RackaRacka – aka Danny and Michael Philippou – will make their big screen debut with horror feature Talk to Me, produced by Causeway Films.
The project is one of six announced today as sharing in $6 million of production funding from Screen Australia.
Other projects backed include anthology feature Here Out West from Co-Curious and Emerald Productions, set in Western Sydney, as well as second seasons of Every Cloud Productions’ Ms Fisher’s MODern Murder Mysteries and Northern Pictures’ kids series Hardball; recently announced children’s series MaveriX; and Lgbtiqia teen series Flunk for YouTube.
Screen Australia head of content Sally Caplan said: “Australian creators continue to capture audiences around the world, such as the RackaRacka team which has built a huge following on YouTube and are now set to deliver a new experience for fans and newcomers alike with their debut feature film. Fans will be delighted...
- 7/6/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
The ABC and Netflix have co-ordered children’s series MaveriX from Brindle Films, set in the world of junior motocross and due to shoot in Alice Springs in 2021.
Created by Rachel Clements, Sam Meikle and Issac Elliott, the 10 x 30 drama will follow six teens accepted for the first ever MaveriX Academy in Alice, where they are pushed to the limits and given the chance to join a professional racing team.
Clements and Trisha Morton-Thomas will produce the scripts written by Miekle, Fin Edquist, Michelle Offen and Kelly Schilling. The creators are all executive producers with Bernadette O’Mahony.
According the Northern Territory government, MaveriX will be the largest ever local production to shoot in the territory. It’s expected to inject $5 million into the Nt economy and employ nearly 400 people when filming begins next year.
The Nt Government has invested a record $1.5 million into the series via Screen Territory, while major...
Created by Rachel Clements, Sam Meikle and Issac Elliott, the 10 x 30 drama will follow six teens accepted for the first ever MaveriX Academy in Alice, where they are pushed to the limits and given the chance to join a professional racing team.
Clements and Trisha Morton-Thomas will produce the scripts written by Miekle, Fin Edquist, Michelle Offen and Kelly Schilling. The creators are all executive producers with Bernadette O’Mahony.
According the Northern Territory government, MaveriX will be the largest ever local production to shoot in the territory. It’s expected to inject $5 million into the Nt economy and employ nearly 400 people when filming begins next year.
The Nt Government has invested a record $1.5 million into the series via Screen Territory, while major...
- 6/30/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
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...
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...
- 1/27/2015
- by Emily Blatchford
- IF.com.au
Russell Crowe-Directed Movie Up for Australian Film Award; Crowe Shortlisted Only in Acting Category
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...
- 12/3/2014
- by Steve Montgomery
- Alt Film Guide
Sam Worthington, Anthony Lapaglia and Ed Oxenbould are starring in writer-director Robert Connolly.s Paper Planes, a family film about an Australian boy.s passion for flight.
Connolly.s Arenamedia is producing the 3D film, which did second unit shooting in Tokyo last week and is now shooting in Perth. Korea.s Emig is providing some 3D services.
Inspired by true events, the screenplay is by Connolly and author Steve Worland. The plot follows 11-year old Dylan (Oxenbould), who is brought up by his father (Worthington) in a remote town in country Australia.
Dylan.s life changes when he wins a place in the regional Paper Plane Championships in Sydney. Battling nerves and his nemesis, private schoolboy Jason (Nicholas Bakopoulos), for a spot at the World Championships in Japan, his greatest challenge seems himself. Wisdom arrives from a most unlikely source when he meets Kimi (Ena Imai), the junior Japanese champion.
Connolly.s Arenamedia is producing the 3D film, which did second unit shooting in Tokyo last week and is now shooting in Perth. Korea.s Emig is providing some 3D services.
Inspired by true events, the screenplay is by Connolly and author Steve Worland. The plot follows 11-year old Dylan (Oxenbould), who is brought up by his father (Worthington) in a remote town in country Australia.
Dylan.s life changes when he wins a place in the regional Paper Plane Championships in Sydney. Battling nerves and his nemesis, private schoolboy Jason (Nicholas Bakopoulos), for a spot at the World Championships in Japan, his greatest challenge seems himself. Wisdom arrives from a most unlikely source when he meets Kimi (Ena Imai), the junior Japanese champion.
- 11/10/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.