Russell Mulcahy’s ‘In Like Flynn.’
Reflecting the introduction of the best new indie film prize, a record 38 feature films will compete at this year’s Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) awards.
That tops the 35 year entries for last year’s awards. In all, 18 films will compete in the new category for films budgeted under $2 million.
According to AACTA, fully 50 per cent of the competing films are non-traditional releases, including the Stan-commissioned The Second and Netflix’s Cargo.
Reflecting the overall increase in gender diversity in features:
• Nine films have female directors (22.5 per cent versus Screen Australia’s reported industry average of 15 per cent).
• 29 were made by writer-directors, a 34 per cent jump from last year.
• 35 per cent of all award candidates are female, a 6 per cent improvement on 2017.
• Over half the competing films feature prominent female leads or female-centric storylines.
• Females make up more than half the award candidates in seven films.
• 60 per cent of competing films have screened at an AACTA-qualifying Australian film festival in the past twelve months.
Forty-five percent of this year’s films were made by first-time directors who will vie for a nomination alongside established directors such as Bruce Beresford, Warwick Thornton, Stephan Elliott, Garth Davis, Leigh Whannell, Russell Mulcahy and Nash and Joel Edgerton.
Among the contenders for the new award are Jed Malone’s Birthday Adjustment Disorder, Robert Lobosco’s Dad, Angie Black’s The Five Provocations, Martin Simpson’s Indigo Lake, Donna McRae’s Lost Gully Road, Alexandros Lykos’ Me & My Left Brain, John V Soto’s The Gateway, Tony Prescott’s The Pretend One, Stevie Cruz-Martin’s Pulse, Alena Lodkina’s Strange Colours and Jason Raftopoulos’ West of Sunshine.
The others are Clayton Jacobson’s Brothers’ Nest, Jon Claire-Lee’s Innocent Killer, Benjamin Gilmour’s Jirga, Deanna Ortuso’s Just Between Us, Mairi Cameron’s The Second, Daniel Okoduwa’s Survive or Die and Tristan Barr and Michael Gosden’s Watch the Sunset.
A short list of contenders will be determined by the round one votes of AACTA members. Nominees will then be selected from this shortlist by a jury which will be named later this year.
The jury will give strong consideration to filmmakers from diverse backgrounds and the winner will be determined by all AACTA members in round two voting.
‘Dad’
Today AACTA announced the programs for AACTA Film Fest in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. After premiering at MIFF, Mark Grentell’s The Merger will launch the events in Sydney on September 3 and in Brisbane on September 5. Jason Raftopoulos’ West of Sunshine will kick off the fest in Melbourne on September 4. The venues are Event Cinemas Bondi Junction, Melbourne’s Cinema Nova and Event Cinemas Brisbane City Myer Centre.
“In another record-breaking year for feature film entries, AACTA Film Fest is an unparalleled opportunity to view, support and discuss Australian film,” said AFI | AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella.
“These 38 films showcase a dynamic mix of genres and themes, feature a variety of unique stories that audiences often can’t find on traditional screens, highlight our increasingly diverse industry and filmmakers and shine a spotlight on the incredible work many emerging Australian filmmakers are doing in the low-budget independent sector. I encourage people to embrace this opportunity to see these films in cinema or on AACTA TV and join us in the largest conversation of Australian film.”
The 8th annual awards will be presented at an industry lunch on December 3 and at the AACTA Awards on December 5, telecast on the Seven Network, with repeat screenings on Foxtel.
The full list of the 38:
1%
Synopsis: 1% is a story of brotherhood, loyalty and betrayal, set within the primal underworld of outlaw motorcycle gangs. It follows Paddo, heir to the throne of the Copperheads MC, who has to betray his president to save his brother’s life. When this betrayal leads to a split in the club it results in civil war, forcing Paddo to choose between loyalty and blood.
Producer: Jamie Hilton, Michael Pontin
Director: Stephen McCallum
Writer: Matt Nable
Editor: Veronika Jenet
Sound: Angus Robertson, Phil Heywood, Trevor Hope, Craig Butters
Cinematographer: Shelley Farthing-Dawe
Composer: Chris Cobilis
Production Designer: Louise Brady
Costume Designer: Terri Lamera
Lead Actor: Ryan Corr
Lead Actress: Abbey Lee
Supporting Actor: Matt Nable, Josh McConville
Supporting Actress: Simone Kessell
Casting: Kirsty McGregor
THE BBQ
Synopsis: Suburban everyman Darren ‘Dazza’ Cook finds his passion for the neighbourhood backyard ‘barbie’ thrust into the competitive international arena of BBQ Festivals. But the steaks are high, and Dazza is going to need some expert tuition if he’s going to make it through to the finals.
Producer: Tait Brady, Lynne Wilson, Stephen Amis, Deb Fryers
Director: Stephen Amis
Writer: Stephen Amis, Serge De Nardo, Tim Ferguson, David Richardson, Angelo Salamanca
Editor: Bill Murphy
Sound: Chris Goodes
Cinematographer: David Richardson
Composer: Ricky Edwards
Production Designer: Otello Stolfo
Costume Designer: Christiana Plitzco
Lead Actor: Shane Jacobson
Lead Actress: Magda Szubanski
Supporting Actor: Nicholas Hammond, Frederik Simpson, Manu Feildel, John Stanton
Supporting Actress: Julia Zemiro, Lara Robinson
Casting Director: Fiona Dann
BIRTHDAY ADJUSTMENT DISORDER
Synopsis:
Seven thirty-somethings gather to toast a birthday. Among them are a psychologist, psychiatrist, neuroscientist, lawyer, artist, army veteran and carpenter. Cracks in friendships and wine bottles soon appear, revealing an underlying current of deep existential angst. When its revealed it’s the anniversary of the death of a beloved cousin, the night descends into an exploration of shadow and loss, which threatens to destroy friendships and lives forever.
Producer: Jed Malone
Director: Jed Malone
Writer: Jed Malone
Editor: Enzo Tedeschi
Supporting Actress: Jed Malone, Michela Carattini
BOY ERASED
Synopsis: Jared, the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, is outed to his parents and faced with an ultimatum: attend a gay conversion therapy program – or be permanently exiled and shunned by his family, friends and faith. BOY ERASED is the true story of one young man’s struggle to find himself while being forced to question every aspect of his identity.
Producer: Steve Golin, Kerry Kohansky-Roberts, Joel Edgerton
Director: Joel Edgerton
Writer: Joel Edgerton
Editor: Jay Rabinowitz
Sound: Robert Fernandez, Robert Hein
Cinematographer: Eduard Grau
Composer: Danny Bensi, Saunder Jurriaans
Production Designer: Chad Keith
Costume Designer: Trish Summerville
Lead Actor: Lucas Hedges
Supporting Actor: Russell Crowe, Joel Edgerton, Joe Alwyn
Supporting Actress: Nicole Kidman
Casting: Carmen Cuba
BREATH
Synopsis: Based on Tim Winton’s award-winning novel set in mid-70’s coastal Australia. Two teenage boys, hungry for discovery, form an unlikely friendship with a mysterious older surfer who pushes them to take risks that will have a lasting and profound impact on their lives.
Producer: Mark Johnson, Simon Baker, Jamie Hilton
Director: Simon Baker
Writer: Gerard Lee, Simon Baker, Tim Winton
Editor: Dany Cooper
Sound: Robert Mackenzie
Cinematographer: Marden Dean, Rick Rifici
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Production Designer: Steven Jones-Evans
Costume Designer: Terri Lamera
Lead Actor: Samson Coulter, Ben Spence
Supporting Actor: Richard Roxburgh, Simon Baker
Supporting Actress: Elizabeth Debicki, Miranda Frangou
Casting: Nikki Barrett
BROTHERS’ NEST
Synopsis: On a cold morning in the middle of country Victoria, two brothers arrive at the family home intent on murdering their step-father Roger. Terry and Jeff’s motive is simple, killing their step-dad will render their dying Mother’s plan to change her will in his favour, redundant. A staged ‘suicide’ has been meticulously planned but there is one thing the boys didn’t take into account, spending an entire day together. Old grudges, different worldviews and a general troubled history will pit these two brothers against each other.
Producer: Jason Byrne, Clayton Jacobson
Director: Clayton Jacobson
Writer: Jaime Browne
Editor: Sean Lander, Clayton Jacobson
Sound: Emma Bortignon, Paul Pirola
Cinematographer: Peter Falk
Composer: Richard Pleasance
Production Designer: Robert Perkins
Costume Designer: Katie Graham
Lead Actor: Clayton Jacobson, Shane Jacobson
Supporting Actor: Kim Gyngell
Supporting Actress: Lynette Curran, Sarah Snook
CARGO
Synopsis: Stranded in rural Australia in the aftermath of a violent pandemic, an infected father desperately seeks a new home for his infant child and a means to protect her from his own changing nature.
Producer: Samantha Jennings, Kristina Ceyton
Director: Yolanda Ramke, Ben Howling
Writer: Yolanda Ramke
Editor: Dany Cooper, Sean Lahiff
Sound: Liam Egan
Cinematographer: Geoffrey Simpson
Composer: Daniel Rankine aka ‘Trials’, Gurrumul Yunupingu, Michael Hohnen, Johnathon Mangarri Yunupingu
Production Designer: Jo Ford
Costume Designer: Heather Wallace
Lead Actor: Martin Freeman
Lead Actress: Simone Landers
Supporting Actor: Anthony Hayes, David Gulpilil, Bruce R. Carter
Supporting Actress: Susie Porter, Caren Pistorius, Natasha Wanganeen, Kris McQuade
Casting Director: Nikki Barrett
DAD
Synopsis: After the passing of her mother, Al is left to the hands of the State Government. Her only wish and hope is finding her Dad, whom she barely knows. She sets off on a journey and trusts that her wish will come true, but who she finds is not the man she remembers.
Producer: Robert Lobosco
Director: Robert Lobosco
Writer: Robert Lobosco
Editor: Matthew Poidevin
Sound: Brandon Cvetkovic
Cinematographer: Rah Sharma, Mark Kenfield, Adam Nichols, Prakash Paudel
Composer: Carol Dixon
Lead Actor: Robert Lobosco
Lead Actress: Lani Hirst
Supporting Actor: Rajat Sharma, Frank Otis
Supporting Actress: Kirsty Snowden, Marie Werrett, Jazi Hall, Veena Prakash
Casting Director: Robert Lobosco
THE FIVE PROVOCATIONS
Synopsis: Marlena is secretly dealing with the loss of her married lover, Rosie. Rosie’s husband Paul is also going through his own grief. Meanwhile Marlena takes on a housemate, the timid and a little bit aimless Bridget. Handyman Clinton grapples with parenting a teenage daughter and his own developing gender identity. The lives of these four very different people intertwine as they fall apart, come together and change each other’s lives. Amongst all of this are the mysterious five provocations, played with mischievous charm by the stars of Australia’s cabaret scene.
Producer: Angie Black
Director: Angie Black
Writer: Angie Black
Editor: Kelly Dingeldei
Sound: Andrew McGrath
Cinematographer: Matt Jasper
Composer: Marcel Borrack, Amelia Barden
Production Designer: Amanda Morris
Costume Designer: Lucia Gertos
Lead Actor: Tony Moclair
Lead Actress: Sapidah Kian
Supporting Actor: Blake Osborn
Supporting Actress: Rebecca Bower
THE FLIP SIDE
Synopsis: Mired in debt, Ronnie is a struggling Adelaide restaurateur looking after her elderly mother and living with her good-hearted boyfriend Jeff. Five years ago, while catering on a film set in Australia, she had an intense affair with British movie star Henry. Despite wild declarations of love, as the movie wrapped so did the relationship, crushing Ronnie’s heart. When Henry’s French girlfriend Sophie calls to say they will be in Adelaide on a promotional tour, Jeff excitedly agrees to meet up and unwittingly creates the perfect opportunity for Henry to seduce Ronnie all over again.
Producer: Marion Pilowsky, Sue Murray, David Willing
Director: Marion Pilowsky
Writer: Marion Pilowsky, Lee Sellars
Editor: Denise Haratzis
Sound: Tom Heuzenroeder, Duncan Campbell, Will Sheridan
Cinematographer: Steve Arnold
Composer: Luis Almau
Production Designer: Tony Cronin
Lead Actor: Eddie Izzard, Luke McKenzie
Lead Actress: Emily Taheny, Vanessa Guide
Supporting Actor: Hugh Sheridan, Tiriel Mora
Supporting Actress: Tina Bursill, Susie Youssef
Casting Director: Angela Heesom
THE GATEWAY
Synopsis: Particle physicist Jane Chandler is happily married to writer Matt. Together with her lab assistant Regg, Jane experiments with matter teleportation. Later, tragedy strikes: Matt is killed in a car crash. Grieving, Jane falls to pieces. But a few weeks later comes a ray of hope when Jane finds a way to teleport herself to a parallel world where she finds another version of Matt. But this is a very different Matt and before long she realises she’s made a terrible mistake and must find a way to send him back to save her family.
Producer: John Soto
Director: John Soto
Writer: John Soto, Michael White
Editor: Regg Skwarko
Sound: Mark D’Angelo, Christian Scallan, Scott Montgomery
Cinematographer: David Le May
Composer: Thomas Rouch
Production Designer: Monique Wajon
Costume Designer: Lisa Galea
Lead Actor: Myles Pollard
Lead Actress: Jacqueline McKenzie
Supporting Actor: Ben Mortley
Supporting Actress: Hayley McElhinney
Casting Director: John Soto
GRINGO
Synopsis: A dark comedy mixed with white-knuckle action and dramatic intrigue, GRINGO explores the battle of survival for businessman Harold Soyinka when he finds himself crossing the line from law-abiding citizen to wanted criminal.
Producer: Rebecca Yeldham, Nash Edgerton
Director: Nash Edgerton
Editor: Luke Doolan, David Rennie, Tatiana S. Riegel
Sound: Paul Pirola, Hayden Collow, Mark Paterson, David Moreno
Supporting Actor: Joel Edgerton
IN LIKE FLYNN
Synopsis: Before Errol Flynn became one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood, he was braving cannibals and crocodiles while searching the jungles of Papua New Guinea for gold. After stealing the Sirocco, a yacht belonging to Chinese Opium smugglers, Flynn and his ragtag crew set sail on a journey to find adventure and fortune.
Producer: Corey Large, James M. Vernon
Director: Russell Mulcahy
Writer: Marc Furmie, Steve Albert, Luke Flynn, Corey Large
Editor: Rodrigo Balart
Sound: Thom Kellar, Lachlan Harris
Cinematographer: Peter Holland
Composer: David Hirschfelder
Production Designer: Nicholas McCallum
Costume Designer: Glenn T
Lead Actor: Thomas Cocquerel
Supporting Actor: Clive Standen, Corey Large, William Moseley, David Wenham
Supporting Actress: Isabel Lucas
Casting Director: Ben Parkinson
INDIGO LAKE
Synopsis: An artist facing a creative crisis is hired by a nightclub owner to paint a portrait of his young wife. When the artist becomes re-inspired by the wife and falls in love, the nightclub owner’s suspicions erupt in violence and the lovers are driven to attempt his murder.
Producer: Brian Cobb, Jonas McLallen
Director: Martin Simpson
Writer: Martin Simpson
Editor: Julian Griffiths
Sound: Nathan Brand
Cinematographer: Rodrigo Vidal-Dawson
Composer: Sam Weiss
Production Designer: Jamie Cranney
Costume Designer: Lainey Donnelly
Lead Actor: Andrew Cutcliffe
Lead Actress: Miranda O’Hare
Supporting Actor: Marin Mimica, Gerard Webb
Supporting Actress: Pamela Shaw, Nicole Verhoeven, Lauren Clair
Casting Director: Maura Fay
INNOCENT KILLER
Synopsis: A modern city is hit with a string of inexplicable murders of seemingly random women from different cultural and social-economic backgrounds. As the murderer carries out his deadly deeds, he appears to be following the directions from a cryptic murder manual, searching for the perfect ‘soul mate’. Then he meets the last standing policewoman on his trail and everything changes.
Producer: Jon-Claire Lee, Asif Khan
Director: Jon-Claire Lee
Writer: Jon-Claire Lee
Editor: Dion Wilton
Cinematographer: Dion Wilton
Lead Actor: Asif Khan
Casting Director: Jon-Claire Lee
JIRGA
Synopsis: A former Australian soldier, Mike, returns to Afghanistan to find the family of a civilian he accidentally killed during the war. Seeking forgiveness, he puts his life in the hands of the village justice system – the Jirga.
Producer: John Maynard
Director: Benjamin Gilmour
Writer: Benjamin Gilmour
Editor: Nikki Stevens
Sound: Liam Egan
Cinematographer: Benjamin Gilmour
Composer: A.J. True
Lead Actor: Sam Smith
JUST BETWEEN US
Synopsis: Unadventurous office worker Hannah and her childhood friend Trixie’s world is turned upside down when the ghost of her late sister appears; guiding them on a road trip to scatter her ashes at a destination she once sought but never found. What starts off as a simple journey turns into an unpredictable adventure and the two friends must overcome their sheltered existence and find out who they really are and what they are truly capable of.
Producer: Joanne Nguyen, Deanna Ortuso
Director: Christopher Kay
Writer: Deanna Ortuso
Editor: Christopher Kay
Sound: Rezzan Ufacikligil
Cinematographer: Filip Laureys
Composer: Rezzan Ufacikligil
Lead Actress: Deanna Ortuso
Supporting Actor: Clayton Jacobson, John Jarratt, Matt Prodan, Andy Rhodes
Supporting Actress: Joanne Nguyen, Calista Fookes, Kaarin Fairfax, Alison Morley
LADIES IN BLACK
Synopsis: Adapted from the bestselling novel by Madeleine St John, LADIES IN BLACK is an alluring and tender-hearted comedy drama about the lives of a group of department store employees in 1959 Sydney.
Producer: Allanah Zitserman, Sue Milliken
Director: Bruce Beresford
Writer: Sue Milliken, Bruce Beresford
Editor: Mark Warner
Sound: David Lee
Cinematographer: Peter James
Composer: Christopher Gordon
Production Designer: Felicity Abbott
Costume Designer: Wendy Cork
Lead Actor: Ryan Corr
Lead Actress: Julia Ormond, Angourie Rice
Supporting Actor: Vincent Perez, Shane Jacobson
Supporting Actress: Noni Hazlehurst, Susie Porter, Rachael Taylor
Casting Director: Christine King
THE LEGO® NINJAGO MOVIE
Synopsis: In this big-screen NINJAGO adventure, the battle for NINJAGO City calls to action young Master Builder Lloyd, aka the Green Ninja, along with his friends, who are all secret ninja warriors. Led by Master Wu, as wise-cracking as he is wise, they must defeat evil warlord Garmadon, The Worst Guy Ever, who also happens to be Lloyd’s dad. Pitting mech against mech and father against son, the epic showdown will test this fierce but undisciplined team of modern-day ninjas, who must learn to check their egos and pull together to unleash their inner power.
Sound: Wayne Pashley, Fabian Sanjurjo, Tim LeBlanc, Beau Borders
Production Designer: Kim Taylor, Felicity Coonan, Simon Whitley
LOST GULLY ROAD
Synopsis: Lucy, a directionless young woman, travels to a secluded cottage in the forest to wait for her sister. With no television and little communication to the outside world she spends her days alone and drinking to pass the time. That is, until her unexpected host decides to keep her company…
Producer: Liz Baulch, Donna McRae
Director: Donna McRae
Writer: Donna McRae, Michael Vale
Editor: Shannon Michaelas
Cinematographer: Laszlo Baranyai
Composer: Dave Graney, Clare Moore
Production Designer: Michael Vale
Lead Actress: Adele Perovic
Supporting Actor: John Brumpton
Supporting Actress: Jane Clifton
MARY MAGDALENE
Synopsis: Set in the Holy Land in the first century, MARY MAGDALENE is the story of a young woman who leaves her small fishing village and family to join a new movement. Inspired by its charismatic leader, Jesus of Nazareth, and his teachings, Mary sets out with the disciples on the journey to Jerusalem, where she finds herself at the centre of the founding story of Christianity.
Producer: Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Liz Watts
Director: Garth Davis
Writer: Helen Edmundson, Philippa Goslett
Editor: Alexandre de Franceschi, Melanie Oliver
Sound: Robert Mackenzie, Glenn Newnham, James Ashton, Mario Vacarro
Cinematographer: Greig Fraser
Composer: Hildur Guðnadóttir, Jóhann Jóhannsson
Production Designer: Fiona Crombie
Costume Designer: Jacqueline Durran
Lead Actor: Joaquin Phoenix
Lead Actress: Rooney Mara
Supporting Actor: Tahar Rahim, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Supporting Actress: Ariane Labed
Casting Director: Jina Jay, Kirsty McGregor, Lilia Trapani
ME & MY LEFT BRAIN
Synopsis: What happens when you are in love with someone, you don’t know how they feel about you, you have a job interview in the morning…and you cannot sleep? Arthur spends the night tossing and turning whilst reflecting on the times he has spent with Helen in an attempt to decipher whether she is legitimately interested in him or not. Whilst in this deep reflective analysis, Arthur bickers with his opposing inner-voice, who is extremely opinionated on this particular night.
Producer: Alexandros Lykos
Director: Alexandros Lykos
Writer: Alexandros Lykos
Editor: Miriana Marusic
Sound: Anthony Marsh
Cinematographer: Kent Marcus
Composer: Cezary Skubiszewski
Lead Actor: Alexandros Lykos
Lead Actress: Rachael Beck
Supporting Actor: Mal Kennard
Supporting Actress: Chantelle Barry, Janette Patricia Lakiss Condylis, Natalia Ladyko
THE MERGER
Synopsis: In a struggling town where the drought won’t let up, jobs are scarce and the footy team looks like it will fold, former football star Troy Carrington is living a hermit like existence on the town’s fringe. Troy is coaxed into coaching after striking up an unlikely friendship with young Neil, who is struggling with the recent loss of his father. Troy teams up with Neil’s mum Angie, who runs a nearby refugee support centre, to recruit refugees to ensure the team survives and take the community on a journey of change.
Producer: Anne Robinson, Mark Grentell, Damian Callinan
Director: Mark Grentell
Writer: Damian Callinan
Editor: Christopher Mill
Sound: Peter Purcell
Cinematographer: Tony Luu
Composer: David Bridie
Production Designer: Nicola Stillone
Costume Designer: Andrew Infanti
Lead Actor: Damian Callinan
Lead Actress: Kate Mulvany
Supporting Actor: Rafferty Grierson, John Howard, Fayssal Bazzi
Supporting Actress: Penny Cook
Casting Director: Faith Martin, Caitlin Stanton
OCCUPATION
Synopsis: After their small Australian country town is annihilated by an overwhelming airborne attack, a group of civilians evade capture and take refuge in the bordering forests. Avoiding detection from the invading ground troops, they set up a hidden settlement camp and soon discover the inescapable truth – they are now among the last remaining survivors of an extra-terrestrial invasion engulfing the entire planet. They must come together as a family and fight back.
Producer: Luke Sparke, Carly Imrie, Carmel Imrie
Director: Luke Sparke
Writer: Luke Sparke
Editor: Luke Sparke, David Napier
Sound: Chris Goodes, Dale Warren, Ramsey De Marco
Cinematographer: Tony O’Loughlan
Composer: Christopher Elves
Production Designer: Stuart Burnside
Costume Designer: Tracey Rose Sparke
Lead Actor: Dan Ewing, Charles Terrier, Temuera Morrison
Lead Actress: Stephany Jacobsen
Supporting Actor: Charles Mesure, Aaron Jeffery, Zachary Garred, Felix Williamson
Supporting Actress: Rhiannon Fish, Izzy Stephens, Jacqueline McKenzie
Casting Director: Carly Imrie
PETER RABBIT
Synopsis: The mischievous and adventurous hero who has captivated generations of readers now takes on the starring role of his own contemporary comedy. Peter’s feud with Mr. Thomas McGregor escalates to great heights, extending to the Lake District and London, as the rabbits fight to gain control of Old McGregor’s coveted vegetable garden and the affections of the warm-hearted animal lover, Bea, who lives next door.
Producer: Will Gluck, Zareh Nalbandian
Director: Will Gluck
Writer: Rob Lieber, Will Gluck
Editor: Christian Gazal, Jonathan Tappin
Sound: Robert Mackenzie, Andy Wright, Ben Osmo, Kevin O’Connell
Cinematographer: Peter Menzies Jr.
Composer: Dominic Lewis
Production Designer: Roger Ford, Lisa Thompson
Costume Designer: Lizzy Gardiner
Lead Actor: Domhnall Gleeson, James Corden
Lead Actress: Rose Byrne
Supporting Actor: Sam Neill, Colin Moody, David Wenham
Supporting Actress: Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, Daisy Ridley, Sia
Casting Director: Nikki Barrett
THE PRETEND ONE
Synopsis: The heart-warming tale of a young female farmer and her imaginary friend. He’s been by her side for twenty years and counting. Now, as he watches her fall for another man – a real man – it dawns on him: he is in love with her. Unable to face losing her, he must fight to become real himself.
Producer: Tony Prescott, Dinusha Ratnaweera
Director: Tony Prescott
Writer: James Raue, Tony Prescott
Editor: Laurence Van Camp
Sound: Damian Del Borrello
Cinematographer: Robert C. Morton
Composer: Darren Lim
Production Designer: Bethany Ryan
Costume Designer: Anna Cahill
Lead Actor: Michael Whalley, Benedict Wall
Lead Actress: Geraldine Hakewill
Supporting Actor: David Field, Elijah Perris
Supporting Actress: Alice Roberts, Fiona Press
Casting Director: Danny Long
PULSE
Synopsis: How much do our bodies shape who we are? Where is the line between compromising for love and changing yourself for love? Why do we fall in love with the people we fall in love with? A gay disabled teenage boy changes into the body of a beautiful woman, so that he can make his straight best friend fall in love with him.
Producer: Daniel Monks, Stevie Cruz-Martin, Gemma Hall
Director: Stevie Cruz-Martin
Writer: Daniel Monks
Editor: Daniel Monks
Sound: Joseph Dutaillis
Cinematographer: Stevie Cruz-Martin
Production Designer: Katelyn Collins
Costume Designer: Brodie Simpson
Lead Actor: Daniel Monks
Lead Actress: Caroline Brazier
Supporting Actor: Scott Lee
Supporting Actress: Sian Ewers, Isaro Kayitesi, Jaimee Peasley
Casting Director: Annie Murtagh-Monks
RABBIT
Synopsis: Almost a year after her identical twin’s disappearance, 25-year-old medical student Maude Ashton is still haunted by visions of her violent abduction. Convinced she is still alive, Maude follows the clues to a derelict caravan park where she discovers her fate is intrinsically linked to that of her sister, while the entire experiment is controlled by a secret society that ‘likes to watch’.
Producer: David Ngo
Director: Luke Shanahan
Writer: Luke Shanahan
Editor: Stuart Morley
Sound: Tom Heuzenroeder
Cinematographer: Anna Howard
Composer: Michael Darren
Production Designer: Amy Baker
Costume Designer: Anita Seiler
Lead Actress: Adelaide Clemens
Supporting Actor: Jonny Pasvolsky, Charles Mayer, Alex Russell
Supporting Actress: Veerle Baetens
Casting Director: Greg Apps
THE SECOND
Synopsis: A successful author riding high on the international acclaim of her first book, a sexually explicit autobiography, has everything – money and critical acclaim. Everything is perfect, except she’s struggling to produce a second novel. She has writer’s block. Attempting to meet her deadline, the author and her publisher and boyfriend, take a long summer weekend at her family’s country estate. The grandeur of the property is breathtaking, but it conceals a dark secret that remains unwritten. When a beautiful friend from the past arrives out of the blue, the secret becomes a deadly problem.
Producer: Leanne Tonkes, Stephen Lance
Director: Mairi Cameron
Writer: Stephen Lance
Editor: Steve Cooper
Sound: Thom Kellar
Cinematographer: Mark Wareham
Composer: Ryan Walsh
Production Designer: Jon Dowding
Costume Designer: Manuela Masoch, Vanessa Loh
Lead Actor: Vince Colosimo
Lead Actress: Rachael Blake
Supporting Actor: Martin Sacks, Will Beazley
Supporting Actress: Susie Porter, Susan Prior, Bridget Webb, Megan Dale
Casting Director: Ben Parkinson
STRANGE COLOURS
Synopsis: Milena travels to a remote opal mining community to see her estranged, ill father. Lost and alone, she falls into his bewildering world, where men escape society and share ideals of freedom. Soon, he doesn’t want her to leave. Stuck in time, father and daughter try to mend their fractured bond, but their connection is fragile, like the strange, colourful gems he digs up from the earth.
Producer: Kate Laurie, Isaac Wall
Director: Alena Lodkina
Writer: Alena Lodkina, Isaac Wall
Editor: Luca Cappelli
Sound: Livia Ruzic, Keith Thomas
Cinematographer: Michael Latham
Composer: Mikey Young
Production Designer: Leah Popple
Lead Actor: Daniel P. Jones
Lead Actress: Kate Cheel
SURVIVE OR DIE
Synopsis: After a civil war erupts, killing her entire family, 16-year-old Shade escapes to Australia on a refugee boat helmed by the captain of a people smuggling ring. The boat becomes lost at sea and, out of fuel, food and water, the refugees begin to die until a handful of them manage to land in an isolated part of Australia. Lost, desperate and fighting between themselves, only Shade, the captain and a young Rohingya refugee girl named Maiya are left alive to find civilization and make Australia their new home.
Producer: Daniel Okoduwa, Mike Kang
Director: Daniel Okoduwa
SWEET COUNTRY
Synopsis: Inspired by real events, SWEET COUNTRY follows Aboriginal stockman Sam and his wife Lizzie as they go on the run across the outback, after Sam kills a white station owner in self-defence. They are pursued across glorious but harsh desert country by Sergeant Fletcher, Aboriginal tracker Archie and two local landowners. As an expert bushman, Sam has little difficulty outlasting them. Eventually for the health of his pregnant wife, he decides to give himself up. Sam is put on trial, but will justice be served?
Producer: Greer Simpkin, David Jowsey, David Tranter
Director: Warwick Thornton
Writer: David Tranter, Steven McGregor
Editor: Nick Meyers
Sound: David Tranter, Thom Kellar, Sam Gain-Emery, Will Sheridan
Cinematographer: Warwick Thornton
Production Designer: Tony Cronin
Costume Designer: Heather Wallace
Lead Actor: Hamilton Morris
Supporting Actor: Bryan Brown, Ewen Leslie, Thomas M. Wright, Sam Neill
Supporting Actress: Natassia Gorey-Furber
Casting Director: Anousha Zarkesh
SWINGING SAFARI
Synopsis: 1970s Australia: A 200-ton blue whale washes up on a local beach and the kids think it’s the biggest thing that’s ever happened in their lives. Behind closed doors, the Mums and Dads of this quiet suburban cul-de-sac celebrate in their own special way, by joining the sexual revolution. It’s a time of boxed wine, bad hair, bad styles, bad choices, but good times. And like the rotting whale, it’s all about to go spectacularly wrong.
Producer: Al Clark, Jamie Hilton
Director: Stephan Elliott
Writer: Stephan Elliott
Editor: Sue Blainey, Laurie Hughes, Annette Davey
Sound: Craig Walmsley, Andrew Neil, Paul Pirola, Jed M. Dodge
Cinematographer: Brad Shield
Composer: Guy Gross
Production Designer: Colin Gibson
Costume Designer: Lizzy Gardiner
Lead Actor: Guy Pearce, Julian McMahon, Jeremy Sims, Atticus Robb
Lead Actress: Kylie Minogue, Radha Mitchell, Asher Keddie, Darcey Wilson
Casting Director: Ann Robinson
UNDERTOW
Synopsis: Struggling to accept the loss of her baby, Claire becomes suspicious of her husband’s relationship with a feisty young woman, Angie. When she discovers Angie is pregnant, Claire develops an increasingly irrational obsession with her that puts both their lives in danger. Only when confronted by the explosive secret behind Angie’s pregnancy does Claire begin to reclaim her sanity.
Producer: Lyn Norfor
Director: Miranda Nation
Writer: Miranda Nation
Editor: Julie-Anne De Ruvo, Nick Meyers
Sound: Liam Egan
Cinematographer: Bonnie Elliott
Composer: Lisa Gerrard, James Orr, Raul Sanchez i Jorge
Production Designer: Penelope Southgate
Costume Designer: Stacey O’Connor
Lead Actor: Rob Collins
Lead Actress: Laura Gordon, Olivia DeJonge
Supporting Actor: Josh Helman
Casting Director: Marianne Jade
UPGRADE
Synopsis: After his wife is killed during a brutal mugging that also leaves him paralysed, Grey Trace is approached by a billionaire inventor with an experimental cure that will ‘upgrade’ his body. The cure – an Artificial Intelligence implant called STEM – gives Grey physical abilities beyond anything experienced and the ability to relentlessly claim vengeance against those who murdered his wife and left him for dead.
Producer: Jason Blum, Kylie du Fresne, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones
Director: Leigh Whannell
Writer: Leigh Whannell
Editor: Andy Canny
Sound: P.K. Hooker, Will Files, Andrew Ramage
Cinematographer: Stefan Duscio
Composer: Jed Palmer
Production Designer: Felicity Abbott, Katie Sharrock
Costume Designer: Maria Pattison
Lead Actor: Logan Marshall-Green
Supporting Actor: Benedict Hardie, Harrison Gilbertson, Simon Maiden
Supporting Actress: Betty Gabriel
Casting Director: Terri Taylor, Nikki Barrett
WATCH THE SUNSET
Synopsis: Danny Biaro, an ex-member of outlaw bikie gang, is tortured by the choices of his drug involved past that led to the disintegration of his family. Now longing to be reunited with Sally and their daughter Joey, he travels into the regional town of Kerang. After witnessing the brutal abuse of Charis at a club, a young girl that bears a haunting resemblance to Sally, Danny must race against the clock before the bikie gang reaches his estranged family.
Producer: Tristan Barr, Damien E. Lipp, Michael Gosden
Director: Tristan Barr, Michael Gosden
Writer: Tristan Barr, Chelsea Zeller, Michael Gosden
Cinematographer: Damian E. Lipp
Composer: Richard Labrooy
Costume Designer: Ollie Savage
Lead Actor: Tristan Barr
Lead Actress: Chelsea Zeller
Supporting Actor: Aaron Walton
Supporting Actress: Zia Zantis-Vinycomb
WEST OF SUNSHINE
Synopsis: Separated from his family and caught in a cycle of gambling and debt, Jim has less than a day to repay a loan shark. His day is turned upside down when he must look after his young son who is on school holidays. Jim’s relationship with his son is tested as his plans to pay back the loan fail. When his last desperate effort to repay the debt puts his son’s life at risk, he must make a choice between his past and a second chance at life.
Producer: Alexandros Ouzas, Jason Raftopoulos
Director: Jason Raftopoulos
Writer: Jason Raftopoulos
Editor: Paul Rowe
Sound: Tristan Meredith
Cinematographer: Thom Neal
Composer: Lisa Gerrard, James Orr
Production Designer: Anna Russell
Costume Designer: Alicia Aulsebrook
Lead Actor: Damian Hill
Supporting Actor: Ty Perham, Arthur Angel
Supporting Actress: Kat Stewart, Eliza D’Souza
Casting Director: Terri Svoronos
WINCHESTER
Synopsis: On an isolated stretch of land 50 miles outside of San Francisco sits the most haunted house in the world. Built by Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester fortune, it is a house that knows no end. Constructed in an incessant 24-hour a day, seven days a week mania for decades, it stands seven stories tall and contains hundreds of rooms. She is building a prison, an asylum for hundreds of vengeful ghosts, and the most terrifying among them have a score to settle with the Winchesters…
Producer: Tim McGahan, Brett Tomberlin
Director: Peter Spierig, Michael Spierig
Writer: Tom Vaughan, Peter Spierig, Michael Spierig
Editor: Matt Villa
Sound: Paul Pirola
Cinematographer: Ben Nott
Composer: Peter Spierig
Production Designer: Matthew Putland
Costume Designer: Wendy Cork
Lead Actor: Jason Clarke
Lead Actress: Helen Mirren
Supporting Actor: Eamon Farren
Supporting Actress: Sarah Snook
Casting Director: Leigh Pickford