Press release from Screen Australia:
An adaptation of Louis de Bernieres best-selling novel Red Dog is among $12.5 million of Screen Australia investment announced today.
The film was adapted for the screen by Daniel Taplitz and will be directed by Kriv Stenders and produced by Nelson Woss and Julie Ryan. Production is expected to take place in Western Australia’s Pilbara from October and will star Koko the dog in the title role.
"In an environment where we have significantly less funding to invest in feature films, it is great to find a very Australian story that explodes with charm. The Red Dog story has already touched the lives of many people and we know audiences will also embrace it warmly on the screen," said Ruth Harley, Screen Australia’s Chief Executive Officer.
Joel Pearlman, Managing Director of Roadshow Films, said, "We are thrilled that Red Dog has received funding approval. We have been working on this project with producer Nelson Woss for a number of years and we are excited that it will now be brought to the screen. Red Dog has the potential to be an extremely broad theatrical release for a wide Australian audience and we are delighted to be collaborating with Screen Australia on the project."
Screen Australia also announced support for Slide, an innovative integrated multiplatform drama experience, and the second series of the internationally successful children’s television program, Elephant Princess.
Three dramas inspired by real-life events have received production investment support: Hawke, which focuses on the transformation of Bob Hawke; Sisters of War, inspired by a small group of Australians who were made prisoners of war; and Credence, the shocking story of Maria Korp who was left to die in the boot of her car.
Nine documentaries received support including Who Do You Think You Are 3, the latest instalment in the top-rating series where well-known Australians play detective as they go in search of their family history.
Screen Australia’s investment will trigger in excess of $46 million of production.