Felix Media will be the first screen-based business to move into Carriageworks, the multi-media arts precinct in inner Sydney.
John Maynard and Bridget Ikin’s production banner is joining two other new resident companies, the Sydney Chamber Orchestra and Aboriginal theatre troupe Moogahlin, in November.
Felix Media’s multi-media works include Lynette Wallworth’s full dome presentation Coral, Angelica Mesiti’s Citizen’s Band, The Calling, The Begin-Again and In the Ear of the Tyrant, and John Weiley’s documentary marking the 40th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House, The Dream of Perfection/Autopsy on a Dream.
Next year Felix is partnering with the Adelaide Film Festival, the University of Western Australia’s Cultural Precinct and Carriageworks on Char Soo, Adelaide-based artist Hossein Valamanesh’s four-screen work set in a street market in Iran.
Carriageworks Director Lisa Havilah said: “Carriageworks is dedicated to championing ambitious and risk-taking, artist-led programming. The works presented by Sydney Chamber Opera, Moogahlin and the Felix Media/Foundation are a perfect fit for our vision.”
Maynard said: “It’s a natural direction to continue our work with artists in innovative multi-screen productions, exploring new ideas and new audiences.”
Wearing their film producer hats, Maynard and Ikin are on post in Jennifer Peedom’s feature documentary Sherpa, arranging further distribution of Kasimir Burgess’ Fell and looking to finance The Rehearsal.
Based on the debut novel by Kiwi Eleanor Catton, The Rehearsal is a coming-of-age story set in a drama school which gets engulfed in a scandal.
Alison McLean will direct and is co-writing the screenplay with Emily Perkins. Ikin will produce with Trevor Haysom. Maynard, who will EP, says the aim is to shoot in New Zealand next year. Maynard’s Footprint Films will distribute in Australasia.