3 March 2010 Film Victoria continues to foster innovative local production companies

3 March 2010

Film Victoria has confirmed more than $950,000 in production investment funding to five factual television projects and one feature film, reflecting local production companies’ contribution to the state’s dynamic factual television production sector.

CEO Sandra Sdraulig said the latest round of production investment supported both established and emerging production and post-production companies, who are known for their creativity, talent and service, particularly in the area of factual content.

“Factual television production thrived in Victoria in 2008-09, with the value of production activity in Victoria increasing by 82% from 2007/2008. And we’re expecting another bumper year, with nine Film Victoria supported factual television projects commencing production in 2009/10,” she said.

The projects receiving funding are:
SECOND AUSTRALIANS: Renegade Films –Alex West and Lucy Maclaren, Producers; Alex West and Sara Tiefenbrun, Writers; and Ben Shakleford, Director. This three-part documentary series will draw on a host of historians to chronicle Australia’s story of immigration, of its initial restriction and subsequent liberalisation, and how the Australian dream unfolded. SECOND AUSTRALIANS will be shot predominantly and post-produced entirely in Victoria. Renegade Film’s recent documentary credits include the acclaimed AFTER THE FIRES, recently screened on ABC.
CHARLES BEAN’S GREAT WAR: 360 Degree Films - John Moore, Producer and Wain Fimeri, Writer/Director. This dramatised documentary about Charles Bean, renowned writer and editor of the 12 volume Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-1918, uses dramatic recreation and archival images to allow Bean to tell the story of his remarkable life. Moore’s credits include MENZIES & CHURCHILL AT WAR and MONASH THE FORGOTTEN ANZAC.

KANGAROO MOB: 360 Degree Films - Sally Ingleton, Producer/Writer and Simon Target, Director. This natural history programme will take an intimate look at the kangaroos taking over the suburbs of Canberra and the team of ecologists who follow them. One of Australia’s leading documentary producers, Ingleton’s credits include PENGUIN ISLAND and multi award-winner SEED HUNTER. Development Producer Josephine Wright developed KANGAROO MOB as a Film Victoria supported intern with 360 Degree Films.

CHRIS HUMFREY'S WILD LIFE: December Films – Tony Wright, Producer and Max Walker, Director/Series Producer. A 13-part series about 36-year-old zoologist and wildlife fanatic Chris Humfrey and the life he leads with his family, a team of young and passionate zookeepers and over 2,000 animals, in country Victoria. Leading documentary production company December Films will shoot the series over four months in regional Victoria.

SNOWTOWN: Warp Films Australia - Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw, Producers; Justin Kurzel, Director and Shaun Grant, Writer. This feature film about the notorious Snowtown murders will post-produce entirely in Victoria using award-winning local company Digital Pictures. Script development of this film was also supported by Film Victoria through the New Feature Writers programme for first time feature writer Shaun Grant.

PAUL COX (working title): Rebel Films and Frontline Films - Jeni McMahon, Producer and David Bradbury, Producer/Director/Writer. This programme is a portrait of one of Australia’s most important and prolific film directors, Paul Cox, as he confronts his own mortality. Victorian producer McMahon’s recent credits include VEILED AMBITION, winner of the Human Rights award at the 2006 Melbourne International Film Festival and LOVE’S HARVEST, which won the 2008 Australian Directors’ Guild Award.

Ms Sdraulig continued: “Once again Film Victoria was presented with a real diversity of projects that represent the strength of local production companies and their ability to provide employment opportunities and experience for our fantastic screen technicians.

“As Victoria’s funding agency for the film, television and digital media sectors, our role is to support local talent to bring diverse content to a range of audiences, and that is definitely the case for the latest round of investment decisions.”

Stay informed of funding deadlines, opportunities and announcements via www.film.vic.gov.au, e-news or twitter (http://twitter.com/filmvictoria)
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