Screen Australia is earmarking A$400,000 in story development funding for 16 projects including television and online series, and films.
The slate includes a North Queensland-based adventure series for online audiences from Mad Dan Productions called Blood Sisters. Written by Anthony Mullins (The Strange Calls), Kodie Bedford (Mystery Road), Daniel Mulvihill and Madeline Dyer, the thriller follows three teenage girls on the run, bonded by death and linked by truth.
Character-driven comedic horror series Gnomes from The Two Jons is written by Tegan Higgenbotham (pictured), the writer, comedian and actress known for Oddball, and Paul Verhoeven (Steam Punks). Created by Joel Kohn and inspired by his viral short film Gnomes Attack, he is producing the series along with Richard Kelly (Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell) and John Molloy (Molly).
Also in line for story development funding is the six-part teen drama The Gathering from Asphodel Films is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by author Isobelle Carmody. Written an directed by Nicholas Verso, the series follows a group of disillusioned teens discover they have been chosen to battle a centuries-old evil simmering within their small town. Co-writers include Craig Irwin and Kodie Bedford (Grace Beside Me, Mystery Road).
“The new development guidelines have now been in action for five months. We drastically reduced eligibility barriers and will now fund projects for any screen platform. We’ve had a fantastic response from the industry and the number of applications we’re receiving per week is steadily increasing,” said Nerida Moore, head of development at Screen Australia.
“As well as innovative and exciting projects from established practitioners, we are starting to see new and emerging voices from around Australia coming through. In this funding round I’m particularly delighted to see so many emerging female writers.”
Of the 16 projects receiving funding, 11 were funded through the Generate fund, two through the Premium fund, and three were funded through the now defunct legacy development programme.
Character-driven comedic horror series Gnomes from The Two Jons is written by Tegan Higgenbotham (pictured), the writer, comedian and actress known for Oddball, and Paul Verhoeven (Steam Punks). Created by Joel Kohn and inspired by his viral short film Gnomes Attack, he is producing the series along with Richard Kelly (Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell) and John Molloy (Molly).
Also in line for story development funding is the six-part teen drama The Gathering from Asphodel Films is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by author Isobelle Carmody. Written an directed by Nicholas Verso, the series follows a group of disillusioned teens discover they have been chosen to battle a centuries-old evil simmering within their small town. Co-writers include Craig Irwin and Kodie Bedford (Grace Beside Me, Mystery Road).
“The new development guidelines have now been in action for five months. We drastically reduced eligibility barriers and will now fund projects for any screen platform. We’ve had a fantastic response from the industry and the number of applications we’re receiving per week is steadily increasing,” said Nerida Moore, head of development at Screen Australia.
“As well as innovative and exciting projects from established practitioners, we are starting to see new and emerging voices from around Australia coming through. In this funding round I’m particularly delighted to see so many emerging female writers.”
Of the 16 projects receiving funding, 11 were funded through the Generate fund, two through the Premium fund, and three were funded through the now defunct legacy development programme.
