While some distributors are cutting back, Umbrella Entertainment plans to release 19 titles in cinemas this year, up from 14 in 2019.
High-profile talent on both sides of camera punctuate the four feature films, three television dramas, and one virtual reality project that will share in more than $6.5 million of production funding from Screen Australia.
A newly launched independent feature film pitching competition is offering funds and a way forward to its winner, with $30,000 and a series of mentoring sessions included in the first prize package.
Shout Factory distribution and production arm Shout! Studios has taken up North American rights to Jacob and Ben Burghart's 'Head Count', a neo-Western thriller being produced by Victorian-based Continuance Pictures and starring Aaron Jakubenko, Melanie Zanetti, and Ryan Kwanten.
The Adelaide Film Festival has unveiled the full program for its first annual edition, which carries the theme of A Celebration of Imagination.
Distributor Umbrella Entertainment is expanding into production via a partnership with Julie Ryan, director of Cyan Films. To be known as Sanctuary Pictures, the new arm of the company will have a focus on genre titles.
No Coincidence Media and Umbrella Entertainment have put the call out for First Nations screenwriters to submit their feature ideas, offering to fund one concept with development costs of up to $40,000.
Nick Hayes is moving from Icon over to Umbrella Entertainment, where he will serve as head of sales and acquisitions from January next year.