Screen Australia has invested $275,000 in funding to support the development of 10 feature film projects, it was announced today.
The money will be used toward the development of films including a new feature from Balibo director Robert Connolly and John Polson's mysteriously titled 'Sydney Project.'
Connolly is attached to write, direct and co-produce Paper Planes, the story of a young boy with such a love flight, that he is compelled to compete in the world paper plane championships.
Details surrounding Tropfest creator John Polson's Sydney project are few. When announced last June, it was said to be a collection of 12 short films set in each month of the year that paid tribute to the city.
Other films that have received funding include Kingdom Come, an action thriller to be directed by Marc Furmie and One White Crow, from writer/director Catriona McKenzie.
Kingdom Come features an Australian Federal Policeman who is forced to face his own demons when a masked gunman holds 16 people hostage in a Pentecostal church. Martin Fabinyi will produce and Rob Saunders, Keith Sweitzer and Rob Woodburn will take on executive producing duties.
One White Crow is based on the true story of an Australian academic who finds scientific proof there is life after death. It will be produced by Jodea Bloomfield.
Screenwriter John Ratchford was also the recipient of an industry internship, which will see him spend six months in London working with writer Dominic Minghella (Doc Martin, Robin Hood) and Island Pictures on a number of film and television projects.
For a full list of the funding recipients, see below:
SINGLE-PROJECT DEVELOPMENT: FEATURE DEVELOPMENT
AUSSIE GALS
Genre Comedy
Writer Josephine Emery
Synopsis Georgie and Kylie are sisters. When Georgie’s boyfriend cons her into pulling a job for him and the heat is on her, Kylie has to risk everything she has to save her sister from her own worst plans.
DEFIANT
Genre Thriller
Writer/Director/Producer Bill Bennett
Producer Anupam Sharma
Synopsis Two young lovers from different castes are marked for honour killings. Based on true events.
KINGDOM COME
Genre Action
Producer Martin Fabinyi
Executive Producers Ron Saunders, Keith Sweitzer, Rob Woodburn
Writer/Director Marc Furmie
Writer Shiyan Zheng
Synopsis After a masked gunman takes 16 people hostage in the Calvary Pentecostal Church and pits the church members against each other, Australian Federal Police agent Doug Limner is assigned the task of ending the crisis. As Limner struggles to control the situation, he is forced to confront his own demons, and choose between the lesser of evils.
METAMORPHOSIS
Genre Thriller
Producer David Elfick
Writer Kristine Wyld
Synopsis Scientist Susan Wang, inspired by the visual deception of the insect world, disguises herself to gain prison access to her sister’s killer and dispense her own form of justice.
ONE WHITE CROW
Genre Thriller
Producer Jodea Bloomfield
Executive Producer Raphael Benoliel
Writer/Director Catriona McKenzie
Synopsis An Australian academic who has lost faith in God scientifically proves there is life after death. Based on a true story.
PAPER PLANES
Genre Family
Writer/Director/Producer Robert Connolly
Producer Maggie Miles
Synopsis A young boy’s passion for flight compels him to compete in the world paper plane championships.
SALVATION CREEK
Genre Drama
Producer Heather Ogilvie
Writer Ross Grayson Bell
Synopsis A high-flying magazine editor thinks she’s coping brilliantly with grief until the day she can’t get out of bed. Sometimes salvation turns out to be a place of unexpected beauty.
SENTIDO
Genre Drama
Producer Monique de Groot
Executive Producer Andrena Finlay
Writer/Director Andrew Lawrence
Synopsis Alejandro, a young Australian of Mexican heritage, sets out on a rite of passage journey to his homeland of Mexico to find out who his father was and to discover his own identity.
SINGLE-PROJECT DEVELOPMENT: FEATURE MATCHED FUNDING
SYDNEY PROJECT (Working Title)
Genre Drama
Producer John Polson
SINGLE-PROJECT DEVELOPMENT: FEATURE MATCHED INITIAL OPTION FUNDING
THE EVOLUTION OF BRUNO LITTLEMORE
Genre Drama
Producer Jessica Brentnall
Synopsis Bruno Littlemore is unlike any chimpanzee in the world. Born and raised at Lincoln Park Zoo, Bruno falls under the care of university primatologist, Lydia Littlemore, revealing a remarkable gift for language. A heartbreaking exploration of what it feels like to be human. Based on the novel by Benjamin Hale.
INDUSTRY INTERNSHIPS
JOHN RATCHFORD INTERNSHIP
Writer John Ratchford will work closely with writer Dominic Minghella (Doc Martin, Robin Hood) and Island Pictures in London for six months during production of their slate of television and film projects, including post-production on the feature film The Scapegoat.