Four feature film projects have received funding from Screen Australia, including a Tim Winton anthology which will be directed by a number of high profile actors and filmmakers such as David Wenham, Mia Wasikowska and Cate Blanchett.
The $5 million invested across the four films is expected to generate $20 million in production.
Winton's popular short story collection The Turning will be adapted by Robert Connolly's production company Arenamedia, with each chapter brought to the screen by a different director.
Set on a coastal stretch of Western Australia, The Turning follows the turning points faced by ordinary people. Other directors attached to the project include Tony Ayres (The Slap), Justin Kurzel (Snowtown) and Claire McCarthy (The Waiting City).
Other projects on the investment slate include a new project from Oscar-winning producers Emile Sherman and Iain Canning, a supernatural thriller starring Essie Davis and a teen drama set in the suburbs of Canberra.
Tracks, the latest film from production company See-Saw, is the true story of writer Robyn Davidson's camel trek through the centre of Australia with only her dog Diggity and a National Geographic photographer for company.
Emile Sherman and Iain Canning are producing, with Julie Ryan (Red Dog) acting as co-producer. John Curran (The Painted Veil) is set to direct, with Transmission in charge of Australian distribution.
The Babadook, from writer/director Jennifer Kent, will star Essie Davis as a grieving widow who tries to allay her son's fear of a monster lurking in the house, only to discover a sinister presence surrounding her.
Teen drama Galore from writer/director Rhys Graham and producer Philippa Campey follows the friendship of Billie and Laura. The girls share everything, except for the fact that Billie is in love with Laura's boyfriend.
THE BABADOOK
Causeway Films Pty Ltd
Producers Kristina Ceyton, Kristian Moliere
Executive Producers Jonathan Page, Michael Tear, Jeff Harrison
Writer/Director Jennifer Kent
Cast Essie Davis
International Sales eOne Entertainment
Australian Distributor Umbrella Entertainment
Synopsis A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son’s fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.
GALORE
Film Camp Pty Ltd
Producer Philippa Campey
Executive Producers Sue Murray, Victoria Treole
Writer/Director Rhys Graham
International Sales eOne Entertainment
Australian Distributor Hopscotch
Synopsis Billie and Laura, two reckless teenage best friends, share everything, except for Billie’s biggest secret; she’s crazy in love with Laura’s boyfriend.
TRACKS
See-Saw Productions Pty Ltd
Producers Emile Sherman, Iain Canning
Co-Producer Julie Ryan
Writer Based on the current draft written by John Curran
Director John Curran
International Sales Hanway Films, Cross City Sales
Australian Distributor Transmission
Synopsis The inspirational true story of Robyn Davidson's solo camel trek through the harsh centre of Australia, aided only by her faithful canine companion Diggity and the National Geographic photographer who chronicled this epic modern adventure.
THE TURNING
Arenamedia Pty Ltd Producer Robert Connolly
Co-Producer Maggie Miles
Executive Producers Andrew Myer, Paul Wiegard
Directors Including Benedict Andrews, Jonathan auf der Heide, Tony Ayres, Cate Blanchett, Robert Connolly, Shaun Gladwell, Rhys Graham, Justin Kurzel, Ian Meadows, Yaron Lifschitz, Claire McCarthy, Ashlee Page, Stephen Page, Mia Wasikowska, David Wenham
International Sales Maze Film Sales, LevelK ApS Film Sales
Australian Distributor Footprint Films
Synopsis A diverse range of Australian directors each create a chapter of this hauntingly beautiful novel by Tim Winton. The linking and overlapping stories explore the extraordinary turning points in ordinary people’s lives. As characters face second thoughts and mid-life regret, relationships irretrievably alter, resolves are made or broken and lives change direction forever.