Thomas M Wright’s Cannes Un Certain Regard selection 'The Stranger' will premiere globally on Netflix in October following a theatrical release in Australia.
'Blaze', 'How To Please A Woman', 'Sissy' and 'Sweet As' will contend for the best original feature prize at this year’s AWGIE Awards, while 'Mrs Harris Goes to Paris', 'The Stranger' and 'The Drover's Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson' are up for the adapted gong. 'The Newsreader' leads in television with two nominations alongside 'Total Control', 'Firebite', 'Bump' and 'Heartbreak High'.
Experienced producer Rachel Gardner has joined the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) board.
Amid turbulent times for the sector, Screen Australia has some positive news, announcing production funding for three feature films, four television series, a children’s series and two online projects.
Female directors have taken the lion's share of nominations for this year's Australian Directors' Guild awards, with Sian Davies and Stef Smith each securing three nods and their counterparts dominating the feature film categories.
First-time feature directors Thomas Wright ('Acute Misfortune'), John Sheedy ('H is for Happiness'), Ben Lawrence ('Hearts and Bones') and Natalie Erika James ('Relic') will vie for the Australian Directors' Guild Award for Best Direction in a Feature Film ($1 million or over) against Sophie Hyde ('Animals') and Wayne Blair ('Top End Wedding').
Thomas M Wright backed up his AACTA Award for Best Screenplay earlier in the week with the major prize at the Australian Directors' Guild Awards on Thursday, winning Best Direction in a Narrative Feature Film for 'The Stranger'.
Thomas M. Wright, Harry Greenwood, New Zealand's Marton Csokas and Scottish actress Karen Gillan have been added to the cast of Adam Cooper's 'Sleeping Dogs' starring Russell Crowe.