Shane Jacobson in 'Kenny', written and directed by brother Clayton. The two will join forces again on 'Sibling Rivalry'.
The brothers behind Kenny, Shane and Clayton Jacobson, are set to reunite for a new film, black comedy Sibling Rivalry.
The feature is one of four film projects and seven television dramas supported by Screen Australia in its latest $8.8 million funding round.
The pair will co-star in the film, which revolves around two brothers who, with their mother at death’s door, go to extreme lengths to protect their inheritance.
Clayton will direct the film and produce along with Jason Byrne (Sucker, How to Talk Australians). The script has been penned by Jamie Browne (The Mule, Secret Daughter, Please Like Me), with Tait Brady (The BBQ, Little Acorns, Healing) and Julia Adams (Mako Mermaids,The Day My Butt Went Psycho) executive producing.
Among the other projects funded by Screen Australia is new SBS mini Dead Lucky from Subtext Pictures, to be written and produced by Ellie Beaumont (Newtown’s Law, House Husbands) and Drew Proffitt. The show will follow an experienced detective and trainee partnered to investigate a homicide.
Diane Haddon (The Code, Hiding) will also produce the series, to be directed by David Caesar (Hyde and Seek, Underbelly) and executive produced by Nina Stevenson (Ali’s Wedding, East West 101) and Greg Stitch (Ali’s Wedding, The Cup).
Network Ten has also scored funding for Endemol Shine’s Sisters and the second season of Playmaker Media’s The Wrong Girl.
Sisters, first announced by Ten last year, is produced by Imogen Banks (Offspring, The Beautiful Lie) and Nicole O’Donohue (The Daughter), written by Jonathan Gavin (Seven Types of Ambiguity, Offspring), and will be directed by Emma Freeman (Secret City, Glitch).
The show tells the story of Julia, whose father makes a deathbed confession about secretly using his own sperm for anonymous donations, leading her to the discovery of two sisters. Cast includes Maria Angelico, Antonia Prebble, Lucy Durack and Magda Szubanski.
Screen Australia said that four additional television projects and three feature films have been approved this funding round and will be announced at a later stage. The agency estimated the $8.8 million in funding will trigger production of approx $63.5 million.
“We are witnessing a huge demand for high quality Australian television dramas in our funding rounds, including this one, which was dominated by television and resulted in a diverse slate of projects for the ABC, SBS, Nine Network, Network Ten and Stan,” said head of production Sally Caplan.
“We are particularly pleased to see several prominent female protagonists and producers such as Imogen Banks, Nicole O’Donohue and Ellie Beaumont – as well as a new film from the ever-charismatic Jacobson brothers.”