Writer/director Tim Barretto and writer/producer Melanie Filler will receive $1.25 million in production funding for marriage drama End to End after being named recipients of Screenwest’s West Coast Visions initiative for 2024.
The story follows a middle-aged couple who activate a long-held promise to hike Western Australia’s Bibbulmun Track – a last chance to determine the fate of their struggling marriage.
Through the gruelling 50-day journey, they grapple with entrenched ways of being and relive moments they thought they had left behind.
Spanning 1,000km of unique landscapes, the Hope St Productions film will enter production in WA’s southwest region next year, with WA-raised filmmaker David Noakes executive producing. Bonsai Films will handle local distribution.
Barretto, who made his feature directorial debut with 2022 indie feature Bassendream, said he felt privileged to have his vision backed by “amazing support and enthusiasm” from the screen agencies.
“I can’t wait to see our vibrant characters transform from page to screen against the unique landscapes Western Australia has to offer,” he said.
Filler said they would explore the subject matter with “heart, humour, and nuance”.
“Tim is a one-of-a-kind director with a unique perspective, and it’s a treasure having David and his expertise on board,” she said.
“I am delighted to embark on this journey together, set along the incredible Bibbulmun Track here in WA.”
Designed by Screenwest to uncover, inspire, and develop WA filmmakers to produce their debut theatrically released feature film in Western Australia, West Coast Visions includes $750,000 of production funding from Screenwest. At the same time, Screen Australia has pre-committed $500,000 in equity to the initiative since 2023.
Previous recipients include Miley Tunnecliffe and Kate Separovich, who are in pre-production on their supernatural horror, Proclivitas, and Zoe Pepper and Cody Greenwood, who have entered post-production on their dark comedy feature Birthright.
The initiative has also provided funding for Renee Webster’s How to Please a Woman, Jub Clerc’s Sweet As, Ben Young’s Hounds of Love, Stephen McCallum’s 1%, Maziar Lahooti’s Below, and David Vincent Smith’s He Ain’t Heavy, which premiered at this year’s Sydney Film Festival.
Screenwest CEO Rikki Lea Bestall said her organisation was pleased to assist Barretto and Filler in the next step of their careers, noting this year’s field was “incredibly competitive”.
“Congratulations Tim and Mel,” she said.
“We look forward to seeing their nuanced characters come to life as they journey through Western Australia’s cinematic locations.”
Screen Australia COO Grainne Brunsdon said West Coast Visions was proving to be a pivotal initiative for WA talent
“Tim Barretto and Melanie Filler’s End to End is a warm, funny, and original story with the iconic Bibbulmun Track and picturesque South West providing the perfect backdrop to this moving drama, that will resonate with audiences here and abroad,” she said.