Press release from Lantern Group
Screen Australia today announced commitment of close to $1.3 million to the production of nine documentaries triggering more than $4.7 million worth of production.
Gallipoli’s Deep Secrets takes viewers on an unparalleled underwater exploration to reveal the secret history of Gallipoli, led by the world famous shipwreck hunter Robert Ballard. The documentary will be produced by Ed Punchard and produced and directed by Julia Redwood.
Ten prominent Australians will tell the story of the event, incident or experience that made them appreciate what it means to be As Australian As …The series will be produced by Michael Tear, written by Michael Cove and directed by Serge Ou.
Producer Sue Maslin and Director/Writer Daryl Dellora will bring Justice Michael Kirby’s final days before retirement from the High Court of Australia to the screen with Kirby. The documentary explores the personal, moral and spiritual convictions that provide the framework for understanding one of Australia’s greatest legal minds.
Two feature films received completion funding, The Horseman, a revenge-thriller that tears open an unflinching study of grief and retribution and Little Deaths, which brings together 11 stories about love, loss, music and sex.
International Documentary
GALLIPOLI’S DEEP SECRETS
Prospero Productions
Producers Ed Punchard, Julia Redwood
Director Julia Redwood
Sales and Domestic Broadcaster NGTV, NGUS, RAI, NGTI and History Channel Australia
Synopsis An unparalleled underwater exploration to reveal the secret history of Gallipoli, led by the world famous shipwreck hunter Robert Ballard.
Domestic Door – Documentary Series
ANATOMY SERIES 2
Matchbox Pictures
Producers Michael McMahon, Tony Ayres and Polly Staniford
Directors Emma Crimmings, Donna McCrum, Andy Canny and Adele Wilkes
Broadcaster ABC TV
Synopsis A three-part documentary series exploring the ways in which artists and performers deal with the subject of sex and the human body. The films are thematically linked but are also complete stories in themselves.
AS AUSTRALIAN AS
Bearcage Films
Producer Michael Tear
Writer Michael Cove
Director Serge Ou
Broadcaster Foxtel History Channel
Synopsis As Australian As is a series of self-contained personal television essays in which 10 prominent Australians tell the story of the event, incident or experience that made them appreciate what it means to be as Australian as …
Domestic Documentaries
THE ART OF WALKING
Flaming Star Films Pty Ltd
Producer Sharyn Prentice
Director Rosie Jones
Broadcaster ABC TV
Synopsis On a 50-mile trek from Los Angeles airport to the heart of Hollywood, notorious writer and cultural provocateur, Will Self, interrogates the meaning of walking in a globalised, industrialised world.
THE INQUISITION
Pony Films
Producer Dylan Blowen
Director/Writer Rachel Landers
Broadcaster ABC TV Sales, ABC Commercial
Synopsis A study of the Wood Royal Commission, which gripped the Australian public’s imagination for almost three years as it rolled out like a twisting, shocking thriller. It surged to life through the persistence and resolve of the independent politician John Hatton.
GIRLS’ OWN WAR STORIES
Iguana Films
Producer/Director Jenny Ainge
Writer Paul Roy
Broadcaster ABC TV
Synopsis Tells the intimate stories of 10 Australian women and how WWII changed their lives. WWII was one of the greatest social catalysts for Australian women. The film explores the remarkable courage and resourcefulness of Australian women in a time of great turmoil and danger.
PHOTOGRAPHY HIJACKED
Valarc Films
Producer Matteo Bruno
Director Jack Pam
Broadcaster ABC TV
Synopsis Photography Hijacked is an exploration into the dynamic and diverse world of contemporary photography told through the eyes of the practitioner.
KIRBY
Film Art Doco Pty Ltd
Producer Sue Maslin
Director/Writer Daryl Dellora
Broadcaster ABC TV Sales, Film Art Doco
Synopsis With filming starting during his final days before retiring from the High Court of Australia, this documentary about Justice Michael Kirby explores the personal, moral and spiritual convictions which provide the framework for understanding one of Australia’s greatest legal minds.
THE TROUBLE WITH ST MARY’S
Soul Vision Films Pty Ltd
Producer/Writer/Director Peter Hegedus
Producer Veronica Fury
Broadcaster ABC TV
Synopsis On February 21 2009, Father Peter Kennedy of St Mary’s Church in Brisbane, became the first Catholic priest ever to be sacked in Australia. His transgressions included questioning the Virgin Birth, blessing same sex unions and allowing women to recite the Eucharist. In the eyes of Rome, Peter Kennedy is a heretic. This documentary follows the story of Peter Kennedy and the people whose lives have been affected by his sacking. Ultimately The Trouble with St Mary’s investigates the future of the Catholic Church on the dawn of the 21st century.
Low-budget Feature Film Fund (Completion Funding)
THE HORSEMAN
Kastle Films Pty Ltd
Producers Steven Kastrissios, Rebecca Dakin
Director/Writer Steven Kastrissios
Sales and Distribution Media 8 Entertainment and Umbrella Entertainment
Synopsis A revenge-thriller that tears open an unflinching study of grief and retribution.
LITTLE DEATHS
The Difference Engine
Executive Producer Jason Byrne
Producers Marni Holuigue, Nina Hutchinson, Lacey Fitzgerald, Chris Kamen, Nina Hutchison, Helene Nicol, Jonathan Finney, Kate Hagar and Darran McFarlane
Writer Guila Sandler
Directors Geoff Hitchens, Sian Davies, Toby Angwin, Chris Benz, Ben Chessell, Genevieve Bailey, James Teh, Jarrah Gurrie, Fin Edquist, Giula Sandler and Melanie Brunt
Sales and Distribution Odin’s Eye and Madman
Synopsis Eleven stories about love, loss, music and sex.