Indie feature Choir Girl is set to go into production in early April on location around Melbourne.
The film marks the debut of writer-director Michael Wormald, a former editor who directed shorts The Death and Life of John Vaughan in 2008 and Legacy in 2014.
Choir Girl is a drama set in the 90s about a lonely photographer, Eugene, who becomes obsessed with a fifteen year-old girl who is trapped in the illegal sex trade.
The film, to be shot entirely in black-and-white, is produced by Ivan Malekin of Nexus Production Group and Lucinda Bruce. Daniela Ercoli is the associate producer.
Cast includes Roger Ward (Mad Max), Peter Flaherty (The Leftovers), Krista Vendy (Neighbours), Andy McPhee (Ali’s Wedding), Kym Valentine (Neighbours) and VCA grad Sarah Timm.
Budget is around half a million, with shooting to take place over 24 days, including a stint at Docklands Studios.
Bridget Borgobello is the casting director and DP Mark Kenfield (Traffik) will shoot.
Patrick McCabe (whose credits as an assistant editor include Mary and Max and Molly) is cutting the film.
Post will be handled at Roar Digital in Port Melbourne, with the filmmakers eyeing a festival run later in the year.