‘Spit’ is one of five features to receive a share of $4.6m (A$6.9m).
Australian filmmaker Jonathan Teplitzky is working on a sequel to his 2003 crime comedy Gettin’ Square – one of five features to receive a share of $4.6m (A$6.9m) in production funding from national body Screen Australia.
The latest round of funding will also support Kriv Stenders’ The Correspondent; Cathy Randall’s Red Rock Run; Kate Woods’ Kangaroo; and Nicholas Clifford’s One More Shot.
Teplitzky’s Spit will mark the return of David Wenham as ex-junkie John Spitieri, who travels back to Australia only to find himself...
Australian filmmaker Jonathan Teplitzky is working on a sequel to his 2003 crime comedy Gettin’ Square – one of five features to receive a share of $4.6m (A$6.9m) in production funding from national body Screen Australia.
The latest round of funding will also support Kriv Stenders’ The Correspondent; Cathy Randall’s Red Rock Run; Kate Woods’ Kangaroo; and Nicholas Clifford’s One More Shot.
Teplitzky’s Spit will mark the return of David Wenham as ex-junkie John Spitieri, who travels back to Australia only to find himself...
- 12/18/2023
- by Sandy George
- ScreenDaily
‘Spit’ is one of five features to receive a share of $4.6m (A$6.9m).
Australian filmmaker Jonathan Teplitzky is working on a sequel to his 2003 crime comedy Gettin’ Square – one of five features to receive a share of $4.6m (A$6.9m) in production funding from national body Screen Australia.
The latest round of funding will also support Kriv Stenders’ The Correspondent; Cathy Randall’s Red Rock Run; Kate Woods’ Kangaroo; and Nicholas Clifford’s One More Shot.
Teplitzky’s Spit will mark the return of David Wenham as ex-junkie John Spitieri, who travels back to Australia only to find himself...
Australian filmmaker Jonathan Teplitzky is working on a sequel to his 2003 crime comedy Gettin’ Square – one of five features to receive a share of $4.6m (A$6.9m) in production funding from national body Screen Australia.
The latest round of funding will also support Kriv Stenders’ The Correspondent; Cathy Randall’s Red Rock Run; Kate Woods’ Kangaroo; and Nicholas Clifford’s One More Shot.
Teplitzky’s Spit will mark the return of David Wenham as ex-junkie John Spitieri, who travels back to Australia only to find himself...
- 12/18/2023
- by Sandy George
- ScreenDaily
Stars: Teagan Croft, Cliff Curtis, Alyla Browne, Josh Lawson, Anna Paquin | Written by Cathy Randall, Rebecca Banner, Sarah Spillane | Directed by Sarah Spillane
An Australian teenager plans to become the youngest sailor to have travelled the world alone. In doing so, the intrepid 16-year-old not only seeks to fulfil her dream, she also faces her greatest fears at the same time.
Even people who are fascinated by sailing are sure to find Sarah Spillane‘s True Spirit to be an extremely cheaply made, tiresome bore that is never quite able to strongly tell the amazing true story of an Australian teenager named Jessica Watson, who was the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop around the world.
There’s a certain quality to this movie that makes it feel like it was made on a college student’s budget, even though this is a Netflix film. The cinematography by Danny Ruhlmann...
An Australian teenager plans to become the youngest sailor to have travelled the world alone. In doing so, the intrepid 16-year-old not only seeks to fulfil her dream, she also faces her greatest fears at the same time.
Even people who are fascinated by sailing are sure to find Sarah Spillane‘s True Spirit to be an extremely cheaply made, tiresome bore that is never quite able to strongly tell the amazing true story of an Australian teenager named Jessica Watson, who was the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop around the world.
There’s a certain quality to this movie that makes it feel like it was made on a college student’s budget, even though this is a Netflix film. The cinematography by Danny Ruhlmann...
- 2/10/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Netflix’s list of films premiering on the streaming service in 2023 isn’t nearly as long as their ambitious 2022 film slate. Yet even with a slimmed-down slate, the lineup of movies arriving this year is impressive and checks off nearly every genre.
The streamer will be dipping back into familiar territory with sequels to Murder Mystery and Extraction. Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon, Sam Esmail’s Leave the World Behind, and David Yates’ The Pain Hustlers will premiere this year, as will the film continuation of Luther starring Idris Elba. And two romantic comedies with big-name casts made their way into the lineup: Your Place or Mine (Ashton Kutcher and Reese Witherspoon) and A Family Affair.
Netflix’s announcement of their 2023 film slate was accompanied by a trailer showcasing 16 titles including You People, The Mother, Heart of Stone, The Killer, and Leo.
The following list, courtesy of Netflix, includes basic plot details,...
The streamer will be dipping back into familiar territory with sequels to Murder Mystery and Extraction. Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon, Sam Esmail’s Leave the World Behind, and David Yates’ The Pain Hustlers will premiere this year, as will the film continuation of Luther starring Idris Elba. And two romantic comedies with big-name casts made their way into the lineup: Your Place or Mine (Ashton Kutcher and Reese Witherspoon) and A Family Affair.
Netflix’s announcement of their 2023 film slate was accompanied by a trailer showcasing 16 titles including You People, The Mother, Heart of Stone, The Killer, and Leo.
The following list, courtesy of Netflix, includes basic plot details,...
- 1/18/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Hoodlum Entertainment TV series Mummune and feature film Santa Whitebeard have been selected for Dame Changer’s Project to Market Accelerator, offering the teams tailored support to hone their creative concepts over the next two years.
The recipients were selected from a group of 12 teams via the professional women’s collective’s Screen Changer Project Lab (formerly Screen Tank).
Mummune and Santa Whitebeard creatives will work on a detailed plans with industry strategic advisors to get their project to market, including one-on-one mentoring and the opportunity to pitch their project to broadcasters, distributors and sales agents both locally and internationally.
Lucy Barzun Donnelly, the Emmy and Golden Globe winning producer, is consulting with Dame Changer about international markets.
“I am pleased to be continuing my long-standing interest in helping other women succeed in the industry,” she said.
Abhi Jeyakkumar and Cathy Randall.
Santa Whitebeard:
Santa Whitebeard is a “high concept...
The recipients were selected from a group of 12 teams via the professional women’s collective’s Screen Changer Project Lab (formerly Screen Tank).
Mummune and Santa Whitebeard creatives will work on a detailed plans with industry strategic advisors to get their project to market, including one-on-one mentoring and the opportunity to pitch their project to broadcasters, distributors and sales agents both locally and internationally.
Lucy Barzun Donnelly, the Emmy and Golden Globe winning producer, is consulting with Dame Changer about international markets.
“I am pleased to be continuing my long-standing interest in helping other women succeed in the industry,” she said.
Abhi Jeyakkumar and Cathy Randall.
Santa Whitebeard:
Santa Whitebeard is a “high concept...
- 8/20/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Teagan Croft (The Osiris Child) will star as Jessica Watson in Sarah Spillane’s True Spirit, set to begin filming for Netflix later this year.
Adapted from Watson’s memoir of the same name, the story details the then 16-year-old’s 2010 journey to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world.
Filming will take place in both Sydney and Queensland, but predominantly in the latter, where it is being backed by Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy.
Spillane (Around the Block), who has been attached to direct the project since 2015, penned the script with Cathy Randall, and will also executive produce with Shahen Mekertichian (Lion) for Sunstar Entertainment, and Brent Emery and Suzanne Farwell for Resonate Entertainment.
Netflix announced it was boarding the project in July last year.
Debra Martin Chase (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) will produce for Martin Chase Productions, alongside Susan Cartsonis (What Women Want) for Resonate,...
Adapted from Watson’s memoir of the same name, the story details the then 16-year-old’s 2010 journey to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world.
Filming will take place in both Sydney and Queensland, but predominantly in the latter, where it is being backed by Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy.
Spillane (Around the Block), who has been attached to direct the project since 2015, penned the script with Cathy Randall, and will also executive produce with Shahen Mekertichian (Lion) for Sunstar Entertainment, and Brent Emery and Suzanne Farwell for Resonate Entertainment.
Netflix announced it was boarding the project in July last year.
Debra Martin Chase (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) will produce for Martin Chase Productions, alongside Susan Cartsonis (What Women Want) for Resonate,...
- 5/21/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Teagan Croft, who is best known for her role on HBO Max’s DC Entertainment series Titans, has been tapped to star in family film True Spirit for Netflix.
Based on Jessica Watson’s memoir of the same name, True Spirit follows the Australian sailor who in 2010, at just 16-years-old, became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world, surviving seven knockdowns while at sea for 210 days.
Sarah Spillane is set to direct from a script she wrote with Cathy Randall and revisions by Rebecca Banner.
Debra Martin Chase will produce under Martin Chase Productions, along with Susan ...
Based on Jessica Watson’s memoir of the same name, True Spirit follows the Australian sailor who in 2010, at just 16-years-old, became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world, surviving seven knockdowns while at sea for 210 days.
Sarah Spillane is set to direct from a script she wrote with Cathy Randall and revisions by Rebecca Banner.
Debra Martin Chase will produce under Martin Chase Productions, along with Susan ...
- 5/21/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Teagan Croft, who is best known for her role on HBO Max’s DC Entertainment series Titans, has been tapped to star in family film True Spirit for Netflix.
Based on Jessica Watson’s memoir of the same name, True Spirit follows the Australian sailor who in 2010, at just 16-years-old, became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world, surviving seven knockdowns while at sea for 210 days.
Sarah Spillane is set to direct from a script she wrote with Cathy Randall and revisions by Rebecca Banner.
Debra Martin Chase will produce under Martin Chase Productions, along with Susan ...
Based on Jessica Watson’s memoir of the same name, True Spirit follows the Australian sailor who in 2010, at just 16-years-old, became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world, surviving seven knockdowns while at sea for 210 days.
Sarah Spillane is set to direct from a script she wrote with Cathy Randall and revisions by Rebecca Banner.
Debra Martin Chase will produce under Martin Chase Productions, along with Susan ...
- 5/21/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Teigan Isobel’s screenplay Buggged (sic) has won Animal Logic Entertainment’s inaugural screenplay competition, selected from more than 100 entries.
The comp was launched last year to unearth new Australian voices in the family animated and family hybrid (live action/animation) space.
Set in the mechanical world of the Metallic City where organic life stands little chance of survival, Buggged follows 12-year-old, nature obsessed Emma who inadvertently unleashes a swarm of rust mites that threaten to devour her world.
“It’s an absolute privilege to win this amazing competition,” said Isobel, who is based in Western Australia.
“I am very passionate about family entertainment, so to be recognised by Animal Logic Entertainment is a huge honour.”
Her winnings include a prize package of $5,000 as well as professional guidance and feedback from Animal Logic CEO and co-founder, producer Zareh Nalbandian; EVP development and production Jonathan Hludzinski, and VP development and production Felicity Staunton.
The comp was launched last year to unearth new Australian voices in the family animated and family hybrid (live action/animation) space.
Set in the mechanical world of the Metallic City where organic life stands little chance of survival, Buggged follows 12-year-old, nature obsessed Emma who inadvertently unleashes a swarm of rust mites that threaten to devour her world.
“It’s an absolute privilege to win this amazing competition,” said Isobel, who is based in Western Australia.
“I am very passionate about family entertainment, so to be recognised by Animal Logic Entertainment is a huge honour.”
Her winnings include a prize package of $5,000 as well as professional guidance and feedback from Animal Logic CEO and co-founder, producer Zareh Nalbandian; EVP development and production Jonathan Hludzinski, and VP development and production Felicity Staunton.
- 2/3/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Debra Martin Chase and Sarah Spillane.
Sarah Spillane was teaching an acting class at the Hollywood Theatre of Arts when one of the students suggested she read the latest novel in The Mediator young adult series by Meg Cabot as well as the earlier editions.
Little did the LA-based writer-director realise this would lead to her teaming up with hot-shot Hollywood producer Debra Martin Chase and a movie franchise deal with Netflix.
The series follows Susannah “Suze” Simon, a teenage mediator who has the power to see, touch and talk to ghosts. Her main goal is to help them get to the “Great Beyond” (after life).
“I describe it as The Sixth Sense meets Twilight with an edgy bad-ass female lead,” Sarah tells If. “I have delivered the first draft of movie one to Netflix and am attached to write and direct the franchise.”
Spillane and Martin were hoping to...
Sarah Spillane was teaching an acting class at the Hollywood Theatre of Arts when one of the students suggested she read the latest novel in The Mediator young adult series by Meg Cabot as well as the earlier editions.
Little did the LA-based writer-director realise this would lead to her teaming up with hot-shot Hollywood producer Debra Martin Chase and a movie franchise deal with Netflix.
The series follows Susannah “Suze” Simon, a teenage mediator who has the power to see, touch and talk to ghosts. Her main goal is to help them get to the “Great Beyond” (after life).
“I describe it as The Sixth Sense meets Twilight with an edgy bad-ass female lead,” Sarah tells If. “I have delivered the first draft of movie one to Netflix and am attached to write and direct the franchise.”
Spillane and Martin were hoping to...
- 7/20/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Sarah Spillane and Jessica Watson.
Sarah Spillane is set to direct a biopic for Netflix based on the true story of Jessica Watson, who in 2009 at 16 years old became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world.
Spillane is writing the script, based on Watson’s memoir True Spirit, with Cathy Randall, and Watson will consult on the film.
The producers for the family film are Debra Martin Chase for Martin Chase Productions and Andrew Fraser (Lion) of Sydney’s Sunstar Entertainment, with Shahen Mekertichian and Spillane executive producers.
During her time at sea, Watson navigated some of the world’s most challenging stretches of oceans and survived seven knockdowns.
Her experiences were documented in her self-filmed documentary, 210 Days, which was narrated by Sir Richard Branson. It too was produced by Sunstar Entertainment, which also represents Watson via its talent management arm. The company has been...
Sarah Spillane is set to direct a biopic for Netflix based on the true story of Jessica Watson, who in 2009 at 16 years old became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world.
Spillane is writing the script, based on Watson’s memoir True Spirit, with Cathy Randall, and Watson will consult on the film.
The producers for the family film are Debra Martin Chase for Martin Chase Productions and Andrew Fraser (Lion) of Sydney’s Sunstar Entertainment, with Shahen Mekertichian and Spillane executive producers.
During her time at sea, Watson navigated some of the world’s most challenging stretches of oceans and survived seven knockdowns.
Her experiences were documented in her self-filmed documentary, 210 Days, which was narrated by Sir Richard Branson. It too was produced by Sunstar Entertainment, which also represents Watson via its talent management arm. The company has been...
- 7/16/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Netflix is setting sail with its latest biopic, about the remarkable true story of Jessica Watson, who at the age of 16 became the youngest person to sail solo, nonstop and unassisted around the world. Around the Block filmmaker Sarah Spillane is onboard to direct the pic, which is on based on Watson’s best-selling memoir, True Spirit. Spillane adapted the screenplay with Cathy Randall.
In 2009, Watson accomplished what many thought impossible, navigating some of the world’s most challenging stretches of oceans and surviving seven knockdowns while at sea for 210 days. Upon her arrival home, the Australian teen was met by then-Prime Minister KEvin Rudd, who declared her a national hero. In her speech, Watson countered that she didn’t consider herself a hero — just an “ordinary person, who had a dream, worked hard at it and proved that anything really is possible.” She was named Young Australian of the...
In 2009, Watson accomplished what many thought impossible, navigating some of the world’s most challenging stretches of oceans and surviving seven knockdowns while at sea for 210 days. Upon her arrival home, the Australian teen was met by then-Prime Minister KEvin Rudd, who declared her a national hero. In her speech, Watson countered that she didn’t consider herself a hero — just an “ordinary person, who had a dream, worked hard at it and proved that anything really is possible.” She was named Young Australian of the...
- 7/15/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix is developing a feature film called “True Spirit” based on the life of Australian sailor Jessica Watson, who at age 16 became the youngest person to sail around the world solo.
Sarah Spillane will direct and co-wrote the screenplay with Cathy Randall based on Watson’s memoir “True Spirit,” in which she described her 2009 non-stop, unassisted journey around the world for 210 days while only a teenager.
Watson had self-filmed a documentary called “210 Days: Around the World With Jessica Watson,” which was released in 2010 and narrated by Sir Richard Branson. Watson will consult on the Netflix biopic.
Also Read: 'Maiden' Star Tracy Edwards Kept Her Story 'Messy' to Serve the Next Generation of Women Athletes (Video)
“Harriet” and “The Princess Diaries” producer Debra Martin Chase will produce for Martin Chase Productions along with Andrew Fraser for Sunstar Entertainment. Executive producers on “True Spirit” are Shahen Mekertichian for Sunstar Entertainment and Spillane.
Sarah Spillane will direct and co-wrote the screenplay with Cathy Randall based on Watson’s memoir “True Spirit,” in which she described her 2009 non-stop, unassisted journey around the world for 210 days while only a teenager.
Watson had self-filmed a documentary called “210 Days: Around the World With Jessica Watson,” which was released in 2010 and narrated by Sir Richard Branson. Watson will consult on the Netflix biopic.
Also Read: 'Maiden' Star Tracy Edwards Kept Her Story 'Messy' to Serve the Next Generation of Women Athletes (Video)
“Harriet” and “The Princess Diaries” producer Debra Martin Chase will produce for Martin Chase Productions along with Andrew Fraser for Sunstar Entertainment. Executive producers on “True Spirit” are Shahen Mekertichian for Sunstar Entertainment and Spillane.
- 7/15/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Netflix is developing a feature film based on Jessica Watson’s sailing memoir “True Spirit,” with Sarah Spillane on board to direct.
Watson became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world in 2009, surviving seven knockdowns while at sea for 210 days on a 33-foot vessel. She returned Sydney, Australia, three days before her 17th birthday. Watson said she didn’t consider herself a hero and described herself as an “ordinary person, who had a dream, worked hard at it and proved that anything really is possible.”
“It’s quite humbling to have Netflix bring my story to life,” Watson said. “I hope that the film inspires people around the world to try sailing and to also pursue their own adventures. I’m thrilled that it will be directed by Sarah and supported by such a strong production team.”
Spillane, whose directing credits include “Around the Block” and “This Life,...
Watson became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world in 2009, surviving seven knockdowns while at sea for 210 days on a 33-foot vessel. She returned Sydney, Australia, three days before her 17th birthday. Watson said she didn’t consider herself a hero and described herself as an “ordinary person, who had a dream, worked hard at it and proved that anything really is possible.”
“It’s quite humbling to have Netflix bring my story to life,” Watson said. “I hope that the film inspires people around the world to try sailing and to also pursue their own adventures. I’m thrilled that it will be directed by Sarah and supported by such a strong production team.”
Spillane, whose directing credits include “Around the Block” and “This Life,...
- 7/15/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix is developing a family feature about Jessica Watson, who became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world in 2009 at the age of 16.
The movie based on Watson's memoir True Spirit will be directed by fellow Australian Sarah Spillane, while Princess Diaries producer Debra Martin Chase will produce. Spillane and Cathy Randall are writing the screenplay.
To complete her solo voyage, Watson navigated some of the world's most challenging stretches of oceans while at sea for 210 days.
“It’s quite humbling to have Netflix bring my story to life. I ...
The movie based on Watson's memoir True Spirit will be directed by fellow Australian Sarah Spillane, while Princess Diaries producer Debra Martin Chase will produce. Spillane and Cathy Randall are writing the screenplay.
To complete her solo voyage, Watson navigated some of the world's most challenging stretches of oceans while at sea for 210 days.
“It’s quite humbling to have Netflix bring my story to life. I ...
- 7/15/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Netflix is developing a family feature about Jessica Watson, who became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world in 2009 at the age of 16.
The movie based on Watson's memoir True Spirit will be directed by fellow Australian Sarah Spillane, while Princess Diaries producer Debra Martin Chase will produce. Spillane and Cathy Randall are writing the screenplay.
To complete her solo voyage, Watson navigated some of the world's most challenging stretches of oceans while at sea for 210 days.
“It’s quite humbling to have Netflix bring my story to life. I ...
The movie based on Watson's memoir True Spirit will be directed by fellow Australian Sarah Spillane, while Princess Diaries producer Debra Martin Chase will produce. Spillane and Cathy Randall are writing the screenplay.
To complete her solo voyage, Watson navigated some of the world's most challenging stretches of oceans while at sea for 210 days.
“It’s quite humbling to have Netflix bring my story to life. I ...
- 7/15/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sarah Spillane will direct True Spirit, a feature about teenager Jessica Watson's solo, around-the-world sailing adventure.
The producer, Sunstar Entertainment.s Andrew Fraser, tells If that casting is underway and the aim is to start shooting on the Gold Coast in July.
Watson was 16 when she became the youngest person ever to navigate around the world solo and unassisted in 2010.
Fraser contacted the Los Angeles-based Spillane after being impressed with Around the Block, which starred Christina Ricci, Hunter Page-Lochard, Matt Nable, Daniel Henshall and Jack Thompson.
He started looking for a new director after parting ways with Soul Surfer.s Sean McNamara. Sunstar manages Watson, who is consulting on the project.
Nable and Cathy Randall wrote the first drafts of the screenplay, based on Watson.s memoir True Spirit, and Spillane penned the final draft. Arc Entertainment is co-producing.. Paramount Pictures will distribute in Australia and New Zealand.
Fraser...
The producer, Sunstar Entertainment.s Andrew Fraser, tells If that casting is underway and the aim is to start shooting on the Gold Coast in July.
Watson was 16 when she became the youngest person ever to navigate around the world solo and unassisted in 2010.
Fraser contacted the Los Angeles-based Spillane after being impressed with Around the Block, which starred Christina Ricci, Hunter Page-Lochard, Matt Nable, Daniel Henshall and Jack Thompson.
He started looking for a new director after parting ways with Soul Surfer.s Sean McNamara. Sunstar manages Watson, who is consulting on the project.
Nable and Cathy Randall wrote the first drafts of the screenplay, based on Watson.s memoir True Spirit, and Spillane penned the final draft. Arc Entertainment is co-producing.. Paramount Pictures will distribute in Australia and New Zealand.
Fraser...
- 1/13/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Filming has begun in Queensland for Nim’s Island 2, starring Steve Irwin’s daughter Bindi as Nim, a role originally played by Little Miss Sunshine’s Abigail Breslin.
Shot at Village Roadshow Studios, the film is produced by Chris Brown, Paula Mazur and Tom Hoffie for Nims Productions, directed by Sisters of War’s Brendan Maher and written by Cathy Randall.
Scream’s Matthew Lillard plays Nim’s father, Jack with a cast of Australian actors including Offspring’s John Waters, Nathan Derrick of Rush, and Jack Pearson of Winners and Losers.
Brown said: “I am absolutely delighted to be bringing another exciting project to Queensland. This time with our own home-grown star Bindi Irwin.”
Mazur, also producer on the original Nim’s Island which grossed $100m internationally, said: “Nim’s Island 2 follows our hero Nim into another great action adventure story that will appeal to cinema goers of all ages,...
Shot at Village Roadshow Studios, the film is produced by Chris Brown, Paula Mazur and Tom Hoffie for Nims Productions, directed by Sisters of War’s Brendan Maher and written by Cathy Randall.
Scream’s Matthew Lillard plays Nim’s father, Jack with a cast of Australian actors including Offspring’s John Waters, Nathan Derrick of Rush, and Jack Pearson of Winners and Losers.
Brown said: “I am absolutely delighted to be bringing another exciting project to Queensland. This time with our own home-grown star Bindi Irwin.”
Mazur, also producer on the original Nim’s Island which grossed $100m internationally, said: “Nim’s Island 2 follows our hero Nim into another great action adventure story that will appeal to cinema goers of all ages,...
- 8/7/2012
- by Colin Delaney
- Encore Magazine
Family adventure film Nim's Island 2, starring Bindi Irwin, has begun shooting on the Gold Coast.
The film also stars Us actor Matthew Lillard (The Descendants, Scooby Doo), who plays marine scientist Jack, the father of Nim (Bindi Irwin), as well as local actors John Waters (Looking Through the Glass Onion, Offspring), Toby Wallace (Surviving Georgia, Neighbours), Nathan Derrick (Rush, Bed of Roses), Sebastian Gregory (Neighbours, Accidents Happen) and Jack Pearson (Winners & Losers).
The original Nim's Island grossed $US48 million in North America and almost $6.2 million at the Australian box office. While it was shot in Queensland, it did not qualify as an Australian production, unlike the sequel which is now underway.
Nim's Island was a far bigger production, starring Jodi Foster, and was distributed by Universal. The sequel will be distributed in Australia by Pinnacle Films, which has specialised in limited theatrical releases, while international distribution is being handled by Walden Entertainment.
The film also stars Us actor Matthew Lillard (The Descendants, Scooby Doo), who plays marine scientist Jack, the father of Nim (Bindi Irwin), as well as local actors John Waters (Looking Through the Glass Onion, Offspring), Toby Wallace (Surviving Georgia, Neighbours), Nathan Derrick (Rush, Bed of Roses), Sebastian Gregory (Neighbours, Accidents Happen) and Jack Pearson (Winners & Losers).
The original Nim's Island grossed $US48 million in North America and almost $6.2 million at the Australian box office. While it was shot in Queensland, it did not qualify as an Australian production, unlike the sequel which is now underway.
Nim's Island was a far bigger production, starring Jodi Foster, and was distributed by Universal. The sequel will be distributed in Australia by Pinnacle Films, which has specialised in limited theatrical releases, while international distribution is being handled by Walden Entertainment.
- 8/7/2012
- by Brendan Swift
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia has invested on the development of features Remarkable Creatures (written by Jan Sardi), A Murder of Crows, Black Echoes, Sibling and Worms.
The investment round includes three short films from the Springboard Program, meant to act as ‘calling cards’ to feature film proposals.
The features in development are:
Black Echoes
Producers Michael Robertson, Murray Pope
Writers Shayne Armstrong, Shane Krause
A group of international tourists are taken off the beaten path to an isolated village deep in the Vietnamese countryside. They are promised a Viet Cong tunnel crawl experience that makes the famous Cu Chi Tunnels seem like a playground… Tighter, more claustrophobic, scarier – they get their money’s worth and then some.
A Murder of Crows
Producers Murray Pope, Michael Robertson
Writers Shayne Armstrong, Shane Krause
Director Nick Robertson
Lost love brought him there, cold-blooded murder kept him there, now dark vengeance takes flight.
Remarkable Creatures
Producer...
The investment round includes three short films from the Springboard Program, meant to act as ‘calling cards’ to feature film proposals.
The features in development are:
Black Echoes
Producers Michael Robertson, Murray Pope
Writers Shayne Armstrong, Shane Krause
A group of international tourists are taken off the beaten path to an isolated village deep in the Vietnamese countryside. They are promised a Viet Cong tunnel crawl experience that makes the famous Cu Chi Tunnels seem like a playground… Tighter, more claustrophobic, scarier – they get their money’s worth and then some.
A Murder of Crows
Producers Murray Pope, Michael Robertson
Writers Shayne Armstrong, Shane Krause
Director Nick Robertson
Lost love brought him there, cold-blooded murder kept him there, now dark vengeance takes flight.
Remarkable Creatures
Producer...
- 3/25/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
Screen Nsw has announced the 2011 participants for the script development workshop Aurora: Dust, Dog Eat Dog, On the Jellicoe Road, Falls Creek and One Hundred and Fifteen.
The selected filmmakers include a new project from Melena Marchetta (writer, Looking for Alibrandi), Michael Robertson (producer, Black Water/Road Train/The Reef) and the debut of editor Veronika Jenet as a producer.
The 2011 edition of Aurora includes a project from South Australia. The advisors will be Us producer Anne Carey (The American, Towelhead and The Savages); writer Andrew Bovell ( Lantana, Blessed, Head On and Edge of Darkness; producer/director/writer Jocelyn Moorhouse (How to Make an American Quilt, Peter Pan, A Thousand Acres, Proof and Muriel’s Wedding); and British producer Olivia Stewart (Brassed Off and Velvet Goldmine).
Former Aurora projects include Animal Kingdom, Somersault, Little Fish, Black Balloon, Prime Mover and Accidents Happen, and the upcoming Burning Man and Say Nothing.
The selected filmmakers include a new project from Melena Marchetta (writer, Looking for Alibrandi), Michael Robertson (producer, Black Water/Road Train/The Reef) and the debut of editor Veronika Jenet as a producer.
The 2011 edition of Aurora includes a project from South Australia. The advisors will be Us producer Anne Carey (The American, Towelhead and The Savages); writer Andrew Bovell ( Lantana, Blessed, Head On and Edge of Darkness; producer/director/writer Jocelyn Moorhouse (How to Make an American Quilt, Peter Pan, A Thousand Acres, Proof and Muriel’s Wedding); and British producer Olivia Stewart (Brassed Off and Velvet Goldmine).
Former Aurora projects include Animal Kingdom, Somersault, Little Fish, Black Balloon, Prime Mover and Accidents Happen, and the upcoming Burning Man and Say Nothing.
- 2/22/2011
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
The 3rd annual Portland Oregon Women’s Film Festival (Pow!) has announced their full festival lineup, which includes 44 films from all over the world. The fest will run March 18-21 at the Hollywood Theatre.
Maybe this year, the Pow! fest will have something extra to celebrate if Kathryn Bigelow wins the Best Directing Academy Award on March 7th. Bigelow is the odds on favorite to take home the Oscar statuette this year for directing The Hurt Locker and, if she does, she’d be the first woman ever to do so. Actually, only four women have ever even been nominated: Bigelow, Lina Wertmuller, Jane Campion and Sofia Coppola.
The lineup below proves that women are a powerful force sitting in the director’s chair and Pow! has assembled an impressive lineup of animated films, shorts, features, documentaries, experimental films and more:
March 18
7:00 p.m.: “Local Shorts”
Nous Deux Encore,...
Maybe this year, the Pow! fest will have something extra to celebrate if Kathryn Bigelow wins the Best Directing Academy Award on March 7th. Bigelow is the odds on favorite to take home the Oscar statuette this year for directing The Hurt Locker and, if she does, she’d be the first woman ever to do so. Actually, only four women have ever even been nominated: Bigelow, Lina Wertmuller, Jane Campion and Sofia Coppola.
The lineup below proves that women are a powerful force sitting in the director’s chair and Pow! has assembled an impressive lineup of animated films, shorts, features, documentaries, experimental films and more:
March 18
7:00 p.m.: “Local Shorts”
Nous Deux Encore,...
- 2/17/2010
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Generation Kplus
SYDNEY -- Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger is an Australian coming-of-age comedy that's as self-consciously quirky as its title.
First-time writer-director Cathy Randall would have done well to dial down the eccentricity and concentrate on evening out the tone, which oscillates between cutesy and creepy with a jarring third-act detour into melodrama.
The misfit Jewish girl of the title (played by newcomer Danielle Catanzariti) bears more than a passing resemblance to Heather Matarazzo's nerdy 12-year-old in Welcome to the Dollhouse. But Randall doesn't have the fine-tuned satirical sensibility that allowed Todd Solondz to hit just the right note between comedy and pain.
The presence of Toni Collette and Oscar-nominated Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) should help its profile, but this Disney-backed film is too left of center to appeal to the mainstream when it opens March 20 in Australia.
Esther takes a kitchen-sink approach to the teen issues it canvasses -- bullying, peer pressure, family dysfunction and sexual awakening among them -- so there's something for everyone as far as the adolescent target audience is concerned.
But some of it is dubious fare. Esther's back-alley experimentation with a classmate, for example, is more disquieting than droll. And the behavior exhibited by her number-crunching twin brother Jacob (Christian Byers) is not so much idiosyncratic as downright scary. Little wonder the entire family winds up in a psychiatrist's office.
Esther is a tiny, beetle-browed 13-year-old tormented by her perfectionist mother's (Essie Davis) preparations for her upcoming bat-mitzvah and by the taunting of classmates at her ultra-conformist all-girls private school. The girls make fun of her dorky look and peculiar habits, and she spends lonely lunch hours talking to God through a toilet bowl. It's that kind of quirky.
Her oddness catches the eye of Sunni (Castle-Hughes), a tough-nut drummer from a nearby public school, who befriends Esther. Together they hatch a plan: Esther borrows Sunni's spare school uniform and secretly changes schools, fooling her parents while exploring an exciting new universe that includes hanging out with the cool kids and Sunni's hip, laid-back mother, Mary (Collette.)
In her desperation to fit in, Esther's natural adolescent self-absorption takes an unpleasant turn, and she starts to alienate everyone (except the pet duckling named Normal that follows her everywhere and is somewhat labored as a metaphor.)
Production designer Nell Hanson, costume designer Shareen Beringer and cinematographer Anna Howard use a Skittles-colored palette to create a heightened reality that mirrors Esther's internal fantasy world. The film boasts a great indie soundtrack dominated by upbeat Australian bands.
HEY HEY IT'S ESTHER BLUEBERGER
Tama Films
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Cathy Randall
Producer: Miriam Stein
Executive producers: Heather Ogilvie, Stephen Hays, Peter Graham, Anton Rosenberg, Toni Collette
Director of photography: Anna Howard
Production designer: Nell Hanson
Music: Guy Gross
Co-producer: Harry Clein
Costume designer: Shareen Beringer
Editor: Dany Cooper
Cast:
Esther: Danielle Catanzariti
Sunni: Keisha Castle-Hughes
Mary: Toni Collette
Jacob: Christian Byers
Grace: Essie Davis
Osmond: Russell Dykstra
Running time -- 103 minutes
No MPAA rating...
SYDNEY -- Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger is an Australian coming-of-age comedy that's as self-consciously quirky as its title.
First-time writer-director Cathy Randall would have done well to dial down the eccentricity and concentrate on evening out the tone, which oscillates between cutesy and creepy with a jarring third-act detour into melodrama.
The misfit Jewish girl of the title (played by newcomer Danielle Catanzariti) bears more than a passing resemblance to Heather Matarazzo's nerdy 12-year-old in Welcome to the Dollhouse. But Randall doesn't have the fine-tuned satirical sensibility that allowed Todd Solondz to hit just the right note between comedy and pain.
The presence of Toni Collette and Oscar-nominated Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) should help its profile, but this Disney-backed film is too left of center to appeal to the mainstream when it opens March 20 in Australia.
Esther takes a kitchen-sink approach to the teen issues it canvasses -- bullying, peer pressure, family dysfunction and sexual awakening among them -- so there's something for everyone as far as the adolescent target audience is concerned.
But some of it is dubious fare. Esther's back-alley experimentation with a classmate, for example, is more disquieting than droll. And the behavior exhibited by her number-crunching twin brother Jacob (Christian Byers) is not so much idiosyncratic as downright scary. Little wonder the entire family winds up in a psychiatrist's office.
Esther is a tiny, beetle-browed 13-year-old tormented by her perfectionist mother's (Essie Davis) preparations for her upcoming bat-mitzvah and by the taunting of classmates at her ultra-conformist all-girls private school. The girls make fun of her dorky look and peculiar habits, and she spends lonely lunch hours talking to God through a toilet bowl. It's that kind of quirky.
Her oddness catches the eye of Sunni (Castle-Hughes), a tough-nut drummer from a nearby public school, who befriends Esther. Together they hatch a plan: Esther borrows Sunni's spare school uniform and secretly changes schools, fooling her parents while exploring an exciting new universe that includes hanging out with the cool kids and Sunni's hip, laid-back mother, Mary (Collette.)
In her desperation to fit in, Esther's natural adolescent self-absorption takes an unpleasant turn, and she starts to alienate everyone (except the pet duckling named Normal that follows her everywhere and is somewhat labored as a metaphor.)
Production designer Nell Hanson, costume designer Shareen Beringer and cinematographer Anna Howard use a Skittles-colored palette to create a heightened reality that mirrors Esther's internal fantasy world. The film boasts a great indie soundtrack dominated by upbeat Australian bands.
HEY HEY IT'S ESTHER BLUEBERGER
Tama Films
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Cathy Randall
Producer: Miriam Stein
Executive producers: Heather Ogilvie, Stephen Hays, Peter Graham, Anton Rosenberg, Toni Collette
Director of photography: Anna Howard
Production designer: Nell Hanson
Music: Guy Gross
Co-producer: Harry Clein
Costume designer: Shareen Beringer
Editor: Dany Cooper
Cast:
Esther: Danielle Catanzariti
Sunni: Keisha Castle-Hughes
Mary: Toni Collette
Jacob: Christian Byers
Grace: Essie Davis
Osmond: Russell Dykstra
Running time -- 103 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 2/28/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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