Zephyr Films founder Chris Curling is one of many UK producers taking part in this year’s Ausfilm Week London and, as one of the producers on Death Defying Acts, has already experienced the particular needs of UK/Australian co-productions.
The mid-May pre-Cannes event is designed to develop co-productions between Australia and the UK — both feature film and high-end television series – through a series of networking events and panel discussions aimed at familiarising delegates with the funding and production landscape of their potential partners.
Also on the list of attendees is Carlo Dusi, head of business and commercial affairs at Ridley and Tony Scott’s production company Scott Free. Ridley Scott cast Cate Blanchett and Russell Crowe in his 2010 action adventure Robin Hood.
Others include Carola Ash, one of the two people heading 2B Pictures, the production arm of the finance-focussed Future Films Group, and Alison Meese, who is in charge of UK acquisitions for the French production and distribution behemoth StudioCanal.
Representatives from the film division of two broadcasters are also in the line-up: senior commissioning executive Katherine Butler and head of film production Tracey Josephs from Film 4, Channel 4 Television’s feature film division; and executive producer Jamie Laurenson and head of business affairs Simon Gillis from BBC Films.
Many of AusFilm’s private and government members are taking part alongside a number of producers including Mario Andreacchio, Karen Radzyner, Trish Lake, Heather Ogilvie, Cathy Overett, Vincent Sheehan, Mark Ruse, Tim White, Dee McLachlan, Sue Taylor, Janelle Landers and Angie Fielder.
The three-day event starts with a May 13 screening of Wish You Were Here, which Fielder produced.