Matchbox Pictures, producers of The Slap, The Straits, Devil's Playground and Nowhere Boys, will open an office in Brisbane in the first quarter of 2015.
The aim is to develop drama projects created by Queensland-based writers. Anthony Mullins, formerly creative director of Hoodlum, will run the Matchbox office and oversee the development program.
The initiative follows Matchbox being named as one of the recipients of Screen Queensland’s inaugural Enterprise Queensland Program funding program. The other recipients are Ludo Studio, Essential Media and Entertainment, Bunya Productions, Two Little Indians and Hoodlum.
Matchbox is calling for TV drama concepts from Queensland writers for a variety of formats including serial, series, mini-series, TV movies and children’s drama as well as concepts suitable for overseas co-productions using Queensland and/or Australian locations or facilities.
A minimum of 10 writers will be shortlisted to meet with the Matchbox development team headed by Debbie Lee, with at least three selected to participate in the Matchbox Development Pathway, an initiative aimed at developing concepts to a pitch stage.
Submissions are due by Friday January 30 and should be sent to Anthony Mullins, Matchbox Pictures, PO Box 1647, New Farm, Queensland 4005, or via email to warren.clarke@matchboxpictures.com.