(L-R): Ryan Corr, Abbey Lee and Matt Nable.
Two more Australian films have been added to the Toronto International Film Festival’s 2017 program, including the second entrant from Breath producer Jamie Hilton.
Stephen McCallum’s feature directorial debut, 1%, written by Matt Nable (The Final Winter) and produced by Hilton and Michael Pontin’s See Pictures, will have its world premiere in the Discovery section with The Butterfly Tree, the feature debut from writer-director Priscilla Cameron that recently had its world premiere at Melbourne International Film Festival.
McCallum’s crime drama about an outlaw motorcycle gang stars Nable, The Water Diviner’s Ryan Corr, Abbey Lee, Nable, Simone Kessell, Josh McConville and Aaron Pedersen. It will be distributed in Australia by Icon Films. McCallum said in a statement: “I’m thrilled that 1% will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. It’s a dream come true to share this visceral Australian story of loyalty, brotherhood and betrayal at such a prestigious event.”
The Butterfly Tree is a family drama starring Melissa George, Ewen Leslie (Top of the Lake: China Girl), Ed Oxenbould (Paper Planes) and Sophie Lowe. It is produced by Bridget Callow-Wright.
Cameron said: “We are absolutely thrilled to launch The Butterfly Tree internationally at such a prestigious festival. It is an honour to be selected for Toronto and we look forward to embracing the opportunities that this level of exposure offers.”
They join two New Zealand features also added to the Discovery section that showcases emerging talent: Nic Gorman’s debut Human Traces and the Maori filmmaking showcase helmed by a number of directors, Waru.
As previously reported, Simon Baker’s Breath based on Tim Winton’s award-winning novel of the same name, will have its world premiere in Toronto, while Warwick Thornton’s Sweet Country will have its North American premiere there following its debut in Venice. Violeta Ayala’s documentary Cocaine Prison, will screen in TIFF Docs. Matthew Newton will also premiere his third feature, Who We Are Now, expat director Craig Gillespie will unveil his latest, starring Margot Robbie, I, Tonya, and the director of Australian films Praise, The Painted Veil and Tracks, John Curran, will premiere the historical drama, Chappaquiddick.
“TIFF’s Discovery program can launch the international careers of first-time directors and so I’m thrilled to see Stephen McCallum and Priscilla Cameron’s outstanding films selected,” said Graeme Mason, Screen Australia’s CEO. TIFF runs 7-17 September.