Writer-director Roderick MacKay is keen to further explore frontier mythology following the release of his debut feature The Furnace this week.
Produced by Timothy White (I Am Mother) and Tenille Kennedy (H is for Happiness), the film follows Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek as a young Afghan cameleer who partners with Mal, a mysterious bushman (David Wenham) on the run with two Crown-marked gold bars.
Together the unlikely pair must outwit a zealous police sergeant and his troopers in a race to reach a secret furnace – the one place where they can safely reset the bars to remove the mark of the Crown.
The cast includes Jay Ryan, Erik Thomson (The Luminaries), Baykali Ganambarr (The Nightingale), Trevor Jamieson (Storm Boy), Mahesh Jadu (The Witcher) and Samson Coulter (Breath).
Having had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September, the 1890s drama will open on 115 screens via Umbrella Entertainment tomorrow.
Produced by Timothy White (I Am Mother) and Tenille Kennedy (H is for Happiness), the film follows Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek as a young Afghan cameleer who partners with Mal, a mysterious bushman (David Wenham) on the run with two Crown-marked gold bars.
Together the unlikely pair must outwit a zealous police sergeant and his troopers in a race to reach a secret furnace – the one place where they can safely reset the bars to remove the mark of the Crown.
The cast includes Jay Ryan, Erik Thomson (The Luminaries), Baykali Ganambarr (The Nightingale), Trevor Jamieson (Storm Boy), Mahesh Jadu (The Witcher) and Samson Coulter (Breath).
Having had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September, the 1890s drama will open on 115 screens via Umbrella Entertainment tomorrow.
- 12/9/2020
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Screenwest’s capability development programs, Elevate and Elevate+, are set to support five new short films.
They include an animated tale of seagull looking for love; an exploration of human/android intimacy; the journey of a young woman seeking to balance, aspiration and obligation; an exploration of Noongar spirituality; and a meditation on the complexities of raising an infant storm cloud.
The Elevate initiative is designed to support early mid-career Western Australian practitioners to create ‘calling-card’ in short film.
The multi-phased program involves high-level script and project development prior to the projects moving into production, with successful teams gaining access to specialised workshops as part of the process.
The new stream Elevate+ also sees teams receive development funding for an attached long-form project.
Screenwest interim talent development mnager Chantal Chateauneuf said: “We are incredibly excited to announce the recipients of this enhanced funding program. The teams will uncover and present...
They include an animated tale of seagull looking for love; an exploration of human/android intimacy; the journey of a young woman seeking to balance, aspiration and obligation; an exploration of Noongar spirituality; and a meditation on the complexities of raising an infant storm cloud.
The Elevate initiative is designed to support early mid-career Western Australian practitioners to create ‘calling-card’ in short film.
The multi-phased program involves high-level script and project development prior to the projects moving into production, with successful teams gaining access to specialised workshops as part of the process.
The new stream Elevate+ also sees teams receive development funding for an attached long-form project.
Screenwest interim talent development mnager Chantal Chateauneuf said: “We are incredibly excited to announce the recipients of this enhanced funding program. The teams will uncover and present...
- 11/9/2020
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
‘The Furnace.’
Roderick MacKay’s debut feature The Furnace has been hailed as a compelling, ambitious and meticulously researched exploration of a little-known slice of Australian history following the world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival.
Critics praised the performances of Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek as Hanif, a wide-eyed young Afghan cameleer, and David Wenham as a shifty gold prospector.
DOPs Michael McDermott and Bonnie Elliott’s camerawork was lauded for capturing the ancient landscapes of the Western Australian interior, as were Mark Bradshaw’s score and production designer Clayton Jauncey’s recreation of the gold rush town Mount Magnet in its infancy.
Produced by Timothy White and Tenille Kennedy, the 1890s drama co-starring Jay Ryan, Erik Thomson, Kaushik Das, Baykali Ganambarr, Trevor Jamieson, Mahesh Jadu and Samson Coulter screened in the festival’s Horizons section on Saturday.
The plot follows Malek’s Hanif and Wenham’s Mal who...
Roderick MacKay’s debut feature The Furnace has been hailed as a compelling, ambitious and meticulously researched exploration of a little-known slice of Australian history following the world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival.
Critics praised the performances of Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek as Hanif, a wide-eyed young Afghan cameleer, and David Wenham as a shifty gold prospector.
DOPs Michael McDermott and Bonnie Elliott’s camerawork was lauded for capturing the ancient landscapes of the Western Australian interior, as were Mark Bradshaw’s score and production designer Clayton Jauncey’s recreation of the gold rush town Mount Magnet in its infancy.
Produced by Timothy White and Tenille Kennedy, the 1890s drama co-starring Jay Ryan, Erik Thomson, Kaushik Das, Baykali Ganambarr, Trevor Jamieson, Mahesh Jadu and Samson Coulter screened in the festival’s Horizons section on Saturday.
The plot follows Malek’s Hanif and Wenham’s Mal who...
- 9/6/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
When settlers began opening up the wild frontier of Western Australia in the 19th century, they relied heavily on immigrant cameleers from India, Afghanistan, and Persia. The predominantly Muslim and Sikh group, commonly referred to as “Ghans,” were instrumental in settling the Outback, but their contributions to the formation of modern-day Australia have largely been scrubbed from history.
“The Furnace” is first-time writer-director Roderick MacKay’s attempt to shed light on that little-known past, with the story of a young man from Afghanistan who falls in with a mysterious bushman on the run from the law with stolen gold. The film stars Toronto Film Festival Rising Star Ahmed Malek, Jay Ryan, and David Wenham, and has its world premiere Sept. 4 in the Horizons section of the Venice Film Festival.
“The Furnace” is produced by Timothy White (“I Am Mother”) and Tenille Kennedy (“H Is For Happiness”), and co-produced by Georgia White,...
“The Furnace” is first-time writer-director Roderick MacKay’s attempt to shed light on that little-known past, with the story of a young man from Afghanistan who falls in with a mysterious bushman on the run from the law with stolen gold. The film stars Toronto Film Festival Rising Star Ahmed Malek, Jay Ryan, and David Wenham, and has its world premiere Sept. 4 in the Horizons section of the Venice Film Festival.
“The Furnace” is produced by Timothy White (“I Am Mother”) and Tenille Kennedy (“H Is For Happiness”), and co-produced by Georgia White,...
- 9/4/2020
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
‘The Furnace.’
Writer-director Roderick MacKay’s debut feature The Furnace, an 1890s drama set during the gold rush in Western Australia, will have its world premiere in the Horizons section of the 77th Venice Film Festival.
Produced by Timothy White (I Am Mother) and Tenille Kennedy (H is for Happiness), the film follows Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek as a young Afghan cameleer who partners with Mal, a mysterious bushman (David Wenham) on the run with two Crown-marked gold bars.
Together the unlikely pair must outwit a zealous police sergeant and his troopers in a race to reach a secret furnace – the one place where they can safely reset the bars to remove the mark of the Crown.
The cast includes Jay Ryan, Erik Thomson (The Luminaries), Baykali Ganambarr (The Nightingale), Trevor Jamieson (Storm Boy), Mahesh Jadu (The Witcher) and Samson Coulter (Breath).
“I’m thrilled at this opportunity for the...
Writer-director Roderick MacKay’s debut feature The Furnace, an 1890s drama set during the gold rush in Western Australia, will have its world premiere in the Horizons section of the 77th Venice Film Festival.
Produced by Timothy White (I Am Mother) and Tenille Kennedy (H is for Happiness), the film follows Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek as a young Afghan cameleer who partners with Mal, a mysterious bushman (David Wenham) on the run with two Crown-marked gold bars.
Together the unlikely pair must outwit a zealous police sergeant and his troopers in a race to reach a secret furnace – the one place where they can safely reset the bars to remove the mark of the Crown.
The cast includes Jay Ryan, Erik Thomson (The Luminaries), Baykali Ganambarr (The Nightingale), Trevor Jamieson (Storm Boy), Mahesh Jadu (The Witcher) and Samson Coulter (Breath).
“I’m thrilled at this opportunity for the...
- 7/28/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Umbrella Films to distribute in Australia, New Zealand.
Arclight Films has come on board to represent worldwide sales excluding Australia and New Zealand on Venice Orizzonti selection The Furnace, an Australian adventure story that highlights the little-known history of Afghan cameleers.
Australian writer Roderick MacKay makes his directorial debut on the film starring Ahmed Malek, Jay Ryan, and David Wenham.
The Furnace is described as an unlikely hero’s tale set during the 1890s gold rush of Western Australia and highlights the forgotten history of the so-called ‘Ghan’ cameleers, predominantly Muslim and Sikh men from India, Afghanistan, and the Middle...
Arclight Films has come on board to represent worldwide sales excluding Australia and New Zealand on Venice Orizzonti selection The Furnace, an Australian adventure story that highlights the little-known history of Afghan cameleers.
Australian writer Roderick MacKay makes his directorial debut on the film starring Ahmed Malek, Jay Ryan, and David Wenham.
The Furnace is described as an unlikely hero’s tale set during the 1890s gold rush of Western Australia and highlights the forgotten history of the so-called ‘Ghan’ cameleers, predominantly Muslim and Sikh men from India, Afghanistan, and the Middle...
- 7/28/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
‘Hi is for Happiness’ (Photo credit: David Dare Parker).
John Sheedy’s debut feature H is for Happiness has been acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films in North America and Germany’s Telepool as well as distributors in multiple other markets.
The comedy-drama which opened the Generation Kplus section at the Berlin International Film Festival is Goldywn’s fifth Australian acquisition this year.
The distributor released Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding in February and Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy & Punch in May, to be followed by Gregor Jordan’s Dirt Music on July 17 and Paul Ireland’s Measure for Measure on September 4, all on VOD.
The international sales agent, Tine Klint’s LevelK, negotiated the H is for Happiness deals including the Middle East and North Africa (Front Row), the Nordics excluding Iceland (Angel Films/FilmCentrum), Estonia (Estin Film) Poland (New Horizons Assoc.), Eastern Europe (HBO Central Europe), Israel (yes Dbs...
John Sheedy’s debut feature H is for Happiness has been acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films in North America and Germany’s Telepool as well as distributors in multiple other markets.
The comedy-drama which opened the Generation Kplus section at the Berlin International Film Festival is Goldywn’s fifth Australian acquisition this year.
The distributor released Wayne Blair’s Top End Wedding in February and Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy & Punch in May, to be followed by Gregor Jordan’s Dirt Music on July 17 and Paul Ireland’s Measure for Measure on September 4, all on VOD.
The international sales agent, Tine Klint’s LevelK, negotiated the H is for Happiness deals including the Middle East and North Africa (Front Row), the Nordics excluding Iceland (Angel Films/FilmCentrum), Estonia (Estin Film) Poland (New Horizons Assoc.), Eastern Europe (HBO Central Europe), Israel (yes Dbs...
- 7/2/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Samuel Goldwyn in North America and Telepool in Germany are some of the major buyers lured by “H is for Happiness,” the acclaimed feature debut of seasoned Australian theater director John Sheedy.
The Australian heartwarming comedy drama is represented in international markets by LevelK. It opened the Generation Kplus section at this year’s Berlinale, where it received the Children’s Jury Special Mention.
LevelK has scored deals for North America (Samuel Goldwyn), Germany (Telepool), the Middle East and North Africa (Front Row), the Nordics excluding Iceland (Angel Films/FilmCentrum), Estonia (Estin Film) Poland (New Horizons Assoc.), Eastern Europe Israel (yes Dbs) and Holland (Npo Holland).
Based on Australian author Barry Jonsberg’s popular young adult novel “My Life as an Alphabet,” the film follows Candice Phee, an optimistic 12-year-old girl from a small coastal town who is determined to bring her family back from the brink while facing the trials of adolescence.
The Australian heartwarming comedy drama is represented in international markets by LevelK. It opened the Generation Kplus section at this year’s Berlinale, where it received the Children’s Jury Special Mention.
LevelK has scored deals for North America (Samuel Goldwyn), Germany (Telepool), the Middle East and North Africa (Front Row), the Nordics excluding Iceland (Angel Films/FilmCentrum), Estonia (Estin Film) Poland (New Horizons Assoc.), Eastern Europe Israel (yes Dbs) and Holland (Npo Holland).
Based on Australian author Barry Jonsberg’s popular young adult novel “My Life as an Alphabet,” the film follows Candice Phee, an optimistic 12-year-old girl from a small coastal town who is determined to bring her family back from the brink while facing the trials of adolescence.
- 7/1/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
‘H is for Happiness.’
John Sheedy’s debut feature H is for Happiness seemingly had a fair bit of momentum in the lead-up to the Australian release last weekend.
The comedy-drama with mystical elements adapted from Barry Jonsberg’s young adult novel My Life as an Alphabet won last year’s $100,000 CinefestOZ Film Prize, as well as second place in the audience awards at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
In its international premiere the film starring Richard Roxburgh, Emma Booth, Miriam Margolyes, Joel Jackson, Deborah Mailman and newcomers Daisy Axon and Wesley Patten will open the Berlin International Film Festival’s Generation KPlus section this month.
Pre-release, the film grossed $117,000 from advance screenings and the Perth Festival – so how to explain the modest opening weekend of $96,000 on 158 screens, distributed by R&R Films for Universal Pictures?
Julie Ryan, who produced with Tenille Kennedy and screenwriter Lisa Hoppe, tells If:
“It...
John Sheedy’s debut feature H is for Happiness seemingly had a fair bit of momentum in the lead-up to the Australian release last weekend.
The comedy-drama with mystical elements adapted from Barry Jonsberg’s young adult novel My Life as an Alphabet won last year’s $100,000 CinefestOZ Film Prize, as well as second place in the audience awards at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
In its international premiere the film starring Richard Roxburgh, Emma Booth, Miriam Margolyes, Joel Jackson, Deborah Mailman and newcomers Daisy Axon and Wesley Patten will open the Berlin International Film Festival’s Generation KPlus section this month.
Pre-release, the film grossed $117,000 from advance screenings and the Perth Festival – so how to explain the modest opening weekend of $96,000 on 158 screens, distributed by R&R Films for Universal Pictures?
Julie Ryan, who produced with Tenille Kennedy and screenwriter Lisa Hoppe, tells If:
“It...
- 2/10/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Veteran actor, David Wenham and rising star Ahmed Malek are set to star in “The Furnace.” The adventure drama is by first time feature director Roderick MacKay, with production by Timothy White (“I Am Mother”) and Tenille Kennedy (“H Is For Happiness”).
Set in Western Australia’s 1890s gold rush, “The Furnace” is an unlikely hero’s tale, navigating greed and the search for identity in a new land. It illuminates the forgotten history of Australia’s ‘Ghan’ cameleers, predominantly Muslim and Sikh men from India, Afghanistan and Persia, who opened up the country’s desert interior, and formed unique bonds with local Aboriginal people.
Malek, an Egyptian actor who was named one of the Rising Stars at the Toronto Film Festival in 2018, will play a camel driver who teams up with a bushman, played by Wenham. Together, they must outwit zealous troopers in a race to reset gold bars at a secret furnace.
Set in Western Australia’s 1890s gold rush, “The Furnace” is an unlikely hero’s tale, navigating greed and the search for identity in a new land. It illuminates the forgotten history of Australia’s ‘Ghan’ cameleers, predominantly Muslim and Sikh men from India, Afghanistan and Persia, who opened up the country’s desert interior, and formed unique bonds with local Aboriginal people.
Malek, an Egyptian actor who was named one of the Rising Stars at the Toronto Film Festival in 2018, will play a camel driver who teams up with a bushman, played by Wenham. Together, they must outwit zealous troopers in a race to reset gold bars at a secret furnace.
- 9/13/2019
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Ahmed Malek.
Writer-director Roderick Mackay’s feature debut The Furnace is set to kick off in Wa next month, headlined by a cast that includes Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek, David Wenham and The Nightingale’s Baykali Ganambarr.
Set in the during the 1890s gold rush, the film is described as an “unlikely hero’s tale” navigating greed and identity. It illuminates a history of Australia’s ‘Ghan’ cameleers, predominantly Muslim and Sikh men from India, Afghanistan and Persia, who opened up the desert interior, and formed unique bonds with local Aboriginal people.
Malek, named a Rising Star at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, will play Hanif, a young cameleer who forms a partnership with a bushman on the run with Crown gold. The bushman, Mal, will be played by Wenham, a long-time supporter of the project. Together, they must outwit zealous troopers in a race to reset the gold bars at a secret furnace.
Writer-director Roderick Mackay’s feature debut The Furnace is set to kick off in Wa next month, headlined by a cast that includes Egyptian actor Ahmed Malek, David Wenham and The Nightingale’s Baykali Ganambarr.
Set in the during the 1890s gold rush, the film is described as an “unlikely hero’s tale” navigating greed and identity. It illuminates a history of Australia’s ‘Ghan’ cameleers, predominantly Muslim and Sikh men from India, Afghanistan and Persia, who opened up the desert interior, and formed unique bonds with local Aboriginal people.
Malek, named a Rising Star at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival, will play Hanif, a young cameleer who forms a partnership with a bushman on the run with Crown gold. The bushman, Mal, will be played by Wenham, a long-time supporter of the project. Together, they must outwit zealous troopers in a race to reset the gold bars at a secret furnace.
- 9/13/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
(L-r) John Sheedy, Daisy Axon, Julie Ryan, Lisa Hoppe and Tenille Kennedy (Photo credit: Court McAllister).
John Sheedy’s feature debut H is for Happiness, an adaptation of Barry Jonsberg’s young adult novel My Life as an Alphabet, has won this year’s $100,000 CinefestOZ Film Prize.
Announcing the award at the Saturday night gala, jury chair Rachel Ward said: “If we have the power as jurors to change the world to be a better place, then voting for H is for Happiness to win the CinefestOZ 2019 is our contribution. As juror Alex Dimitriades added, H is also for Hope.”
The other finalists were Owen Trevor’s Go!, Ben Lawrence’s Hearts and Bones, Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy & Punch and Paul Ireland’s Measure for Measure.
Sheedy said: “The competition was so tough. There were five amazing films, I saw all of them. To be chosen in such good company...
John Sheedy’s feature debut H is for Happiness, an adaptation of Barry Jonsberg’s young adult novel My Life as an Alphabet, has won this year’s $100,000 CinefestOZ Film Prize.
Announcing the award at the Saturday night gala, jury chair Rachel Ward said: “If we have the power as jurors to change the world to be a better place, then voting for H is for Happiness to win the CinefestOZ 2019 is our contribution. As juror Alex Dimitriades added, H is also for Hope.”
The other finalists were Owen Trevor’s Go!, Ben Lawrence’s Hearts and Bones, Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy & Punch and Paul Ireland’s Measure for Measure.
Sheedy said: “The competition was so tough. There were five amazing films, I saw all of them. To be chosen in such good company...
- 9/1/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Julie Ryan.
Producer Julie Ryan was in post-production for Hotel Mumbai when writer Lisa Hoppe’s script for H is for Happiness came across her desk. She loved it straight away – by page 40, she’d recognised it would make a heartwarming, funny family film.
Due to make its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival next month as the Family Gala film, H is for Happiness is based on Barry Jonsberg’s children’s book ‘My Life is an Alphabet’ and marks the feature debut of theatre director John Sheedy.
It follows Candice Phee, played by Daisy Axon, a 12-year-old with boundless optimism and a unique view of the world, determined to bring her dysfunctional family back from the brink. Alongside Axon (Judy & Punch) are Wesley Patten, who worked with Sheedy on his acclaimed short Mrs McCutcheon, Richard Roxburgh, Emma Booth, Miriam Margolyes, Joel Jackson and Deborah Mailman.
Ryan,...
Producer Julie Ryan was in post-production for Hotel Mumbai when writer Lisa Hoppe’s script for H is for Happiness came across her desk. She loved it straight away – by page 40, she’d recognised it would make a heartwarming, funny family film.
Due to make its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival next month as the Family Gala film, H is for Happiness is based on Barry Jonsberg’s children’s book ‘My Life is an Alphabet’ and marks the feature debut of theatre director John Sheedy.
It follows Candice Phee, played by Daisy Axon, a 12-year-old with boundless optimism and a unique view of the world, determined to bring her dysfunctional family back from the brink. Alongside Axon (Judy & Punch) are Wesley Patten, who worked with Sheedy on his acclaimed short Mrs McCutcheon, Richard Roxburgh, Emma Booth, Miriam Margolyes, Joel Jackson and Deborah Mailman.
Ryan,...
- 7/22/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Owen Trevor’s Go!, John Sheedy’s H is for Happiness, Ben Lawrence’s Hearts and Bones, Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy & Punch and Paul Ireland’s Measure for Measure will compete for Australia’s biggest film prize.
Those are the finalists for the $100,000 prize at CinefestOZ, which will run from August 28 to September 1 in Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River and surrounds.
CinefestOZ festival chair Helen Shervington said it had been another stellar year for the film prize entries and this year’s finalists are the cream of the crop.
The prize was established in 2014 to recognise excellence in Australian filmmaking and is awarded on the gala night by a five-member industry jury, this year chaired by director/writer Rachel Ward.
Scripted by Paper Planes‘ Steve Worland and produced by See Pictures’ Jamie Hilton and Sonia Borella, Go! stars William Lodder, Anastasia Bampos, Darius Amarfio-Jefferson, Dan Wyllie, Cooper Van Grootel, Damian De Montemas,...
Those are the finalists for the $100,000 prize at CinefestOZ, which will run from August 28 to September 1 in Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River and surrounds.
CinefestOZ festival chair Helen Shervington said it had been another stellar year for the film prize entries and this year’s finalists are the cream of the crop.
The prize was established in 2014 to recognise excellence in Australian filmmaking and is awarded on the gala night by a five-member industry jury, this year chaired by director/writer Rachel Ward.
Scripted by Paper Planes‘ Steve Worland and produced by See Pictures’ Jamie Hilton and Sonia Borella, Go! stars William Lodder, Anastasia Bampos, Darius Amarfio-Jefferson, Dan Wyllie, Cooper Van Grootel, Damian De Montemas,...
- 7/4/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘H is for Happiness’
Richard Roxburgh, Emma Booth, Miriam Margolyes, Joel Jackson, Deborah Mailman and newcomers Daisy Axon and Wesley Patten are starring in H is for Happiness, a family drama/comedy which marks the feature debut of theatre director John Sheedy.
Adapted from Barry Jonsberg’s children’s book ‘My Life As An Alphabet’ by writer/producer Lisa Hoppe, the film is now shooting in the Wa coastal town of Albany, produced by Julie Ryan, Tenille Kennedy and Hoppe.
Perth-based Axon, who made her debut in Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy and Punch, plays Candice Phee, a 12-year-old with boundless optimism and a unique view of the world, who is determined to bring her dysfunctional family back from the brink.
Patten, who won the best young actor award at this year’s St Kilda Film Festival for his performance in Sheedy’s short film Mrs McCutcheon, plays Douglas Benson, a character from another dimension.
Richard Roxburgh, Emma Booth, Miriam Margolyes, Joel Jackson, Deborah Mailman and newcomers Daisy Axon and Wesley Patten are starring in H is for Happiness, a family drama/comedy which marks the feature debut of theatre director John Sheedy.
Adapted from Barry Jonsberg’s children’s book ‘My Life As An Alphabet’ by writer/producer Lisa Hoppe, the film is now shooting in the Wa coastal town of Albany, produced by Julie Ryan, Tenille Kennedy and Hoppe.
Perth-based Axon, who made her debut in Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy and Punch, plays Candice Phee, a 12-year-old with boundless optimism and a unique view of the world, who is determined to bring her dysfunctional family back from the brink.
Patten, who won the best young actor award at this year’s St Kilda Film Festival for his performance in Sheedy’s short film Mrs McCutcheon, plays Douglas Benson, a character from another dimension.
- 11/18/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
LevelK has acquired the comedy-drama “H is for Happiness,” which marks the feature debut of Australian theater director John Sheedy.
Based on Australian author Barry Jonsberg’s popular young adult novel “My Life as an Alphabet,” the film follows Candice Phee, an optimistic 12-year-old girl from a small coastal town who is determined to bring her family back from the brink while facing the trials of adolescence. The novel was adapted by Australian screenwriter Lisa Hoppe, whose credits include the award-winning short “Heck.”
“I have always admired films such as ‘Little Miss Sunshine,’ ‘Pretty in Pink,’ ‘Muriel’s Wedding’ and most Wes Anderson films and it is the influence of these filmmakers and styles that will help [me] create a film that will be truly unique and full of quirks, pathos and humor,” said Sheedy.
Sheedy has a strong track record of directing theatrical works aimed at families and young people.
Based on Australian author Barry Jonsberg’s popular young adult novel “My Life as an Alphabet,” the film follows Candice Phee, an optimistic 12-year-old girl from a small coastal town who is determined to bring her family back from the brink while facing the trials of adolescence. The novel was adapted by Australian screenwriter Lisa Hoppe, whose credits include the award-winning short “Heck.”
“I have always admired films such as ‘Little Miss Sunshine,’ ‘Pretty in Pink,’ ‘Muriel’s Wedding’ and most Wes Anderson films and it is the influence of these filmmakers and styles that will help [me] create a film that will be truly unique and full of quirks, pathos and humor,” said Sheedy.
Sheedy has a strong track record of directing theatrical works aimed at families and young people.
- 8/30/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Partho Sen-Gupta..
Screen Australia, Screenwest and France.s Cnc Cinémas du Monde have all backed Slam, the latest film from writer-director Partho Sen-Gupta (Sunrise, Let The Wind Blow)..
To be shot in Western Sydney later this year, Slam follows the disappearance of a young Muslim woman in a climate of mistrust and xenophobia.
Cast will include Adam Bakri (Omar), Rachael Blake (Sleeping Beauty, Lantana) and Abbey Aziz (Let it Be Love). Post-production will be completed in Western Australia and France.
"I wrote Slam with urgency and anger in reaction to the world around me nose-diving into hatred and fratricide,. said Sen-Gupta..
.But I am very pleased that what has resulted is a poetic appeal to reason, a socially motivated thriller that transcends language and nationality. I am very excited to work with such a talented international cast and crew who were touched by the human story and will collaborate with...
Screen Australia, Screenwest and France.s Cnc Cinémas du Monde have all backed Slam, the latest film from writer-director Partho Sen-Gupta (Sunrise, Let The Wind Blow)..
To be shot in Western Sydney later this year, Slam follows the disappearance of a young Muslim woman in a climate of mistrust and xenophobia.
Cast will include Adam Bakri (Omar), Rachael Blake (Sleeping Beauty, Lantana) and Abbey Aziz (Let it Be Love). Post-production will be completed in Western Australia and France.
"I wrote Slam with urgency and anger in reaction to the world around me nose-diving into hatred and fratricide,. said Sen-Gupta..
.But I am very pleased that what has resulted is a poetic appeal to reason, a socially motivated thriller that transcends language and nationality. I am very excited to work with such a talented international cast and crew who were touched by the human story and will collaborate with...
- 5/23/2017
- by Inside Film Correspondent
- IF.com.au
Exclusive: Adam Bakri to lead Australian-French co-pro.
Partho Sen-Gupta’s Australian-French co-production Slam has completed financing after securing support from Screen Australia, Screenwest and France’s Cnc Cinémas du Monde.
The Sydney-set thriller is scheduled to start shooting in late 2017 with post-production in Western Australia and France. It marks the first Australian production to receive funding from Cnc. Bonsai Films will distribute in Australia with Doc & Film International handling international sales.
Starring Adam Bakri (Omar), Rachael Blake (Sleeping Beauty) and Abbey Aziz (Let It Be Love), the film follows the disappearance of a young Muslim woman in Sydney in a climate of mistrust and xenophobia.
Australian production houses Invisible Republic, headed by Michael Wrenn, and George and Nille & Co, headed by Tenille Kennedy, are co-producing the film with Marc Irmer’s Paris-based Dolce Vita Films.
“Partho Sen-Gupta has the ability to take a dark subject matter and make an incredibly beautiful film as we saw with his...
Partho Sen-Gupta’s Australian-French co-production Slam has completed financing after securing support from Screen Australia, Screenwest and France’s Cnc Cinémas du Monde.
The Sydney-set thriller is scheduled to start shooting in late 2017 with post-production in Western Australia and France. It marks the first Australian production to receive funding from Cnc. Bonsai Films will distribute in Australia with Doc & Film International handling international sales.
Starring Adam Bakri (Omar), Rachael Blake (Sleeping Beauty) and Abbey Aziz (Let It Be Love), the film follows the disappearance of a young Muslim woman in Sydney in a climate of mistrust and xenophobia.
Australian production houses Invisible Republic, headed by Michael Wrenn, and George and Nille & Co, headed by Tenille Kennedy, are co-producing the film with Marc Irmer’s Paris-based Dolce Vita Films.
“Partho Sen-Gupta has the ability to take a dark subject matter and make an incredibly beautiful film as we saw with his...
- 5/21/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Actor Mike Djukic, director Richard Eames and art director Helena Tay Eames of Flushed.
The winners of the 28th annual West Australian Screen Awards, hosted by comedian Rhys Nicolson, were unveiled last night at the Heath Ledger Theatre in Perth. The big winner of the night was short drama We Were Here, directed by David Vincent Smith and produced by Joshua Gilbert and Simon Camp, which won four gongs including Cinefest Oz Best Short Form — Drama and Jaguar Best Performance by an Actress for Alexandra Nell.s performance. Flushed, written, directed and produced by Richard Eames, took out three awards including The Backlot Perth People.s Choice Award. . Feature film Bad Girl, written and directed Fin Edquist and produced by Steve Kearney, Bruno Charlesworth and Tenille Kennedy, took out the night.s most coveted award for Media Super Best Long Form — Drama, winning over The Legend of Gavin Tanner and Bngvel.
The winners of the 28th annual West Australian Screen Awards, hosted by comedian Rhys Nicolson, were unveiled last night at the Heath Ledger Theatre in Perth. The big winner of the night was short drama We Were Here, directed by David Vincent Smith and produced by Joshua Gilbert and Simon Camp, which won four gongs including Cinefest Oz Best Short Form — Drama and Jaguar Best Performance by an Actress for Alexandra Nell.s performance. Flushed, written, directed and produced by Richard Eames, took out three awards including The Backlot Perth People.s Choice Award. . Feature film Bad Girl, written and directed Fin Edquist and produced by Steve Kearney, Bruno Charlesworth and Tenille Kennedy, took out the night.s most coveted award for Media Super Best Long Form — Drama, winning over The Legend of Gavin Tanner and Bngvel.
- 7/5/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Actor Mike Djukic, director Richard Eames and art director Helena Tay Eames of Flushed.
The winners of the 28th annual West Australian Screen Awards, hosted by comedian Rhys Nicolson, were unveiled last night at the Heath Ledger Theatre in Perth. The big winner of the night was short drama We Were Here, directed by David Vincent Smith and produced by Joshua Gilbert and Simon Camp, which won four gongs including Cinefest Oz Best Short Form — Drama and Jaguar Best Performance by an Actress for Alexandra Nell.s performance. Flushed, written, directed and produced by Richard Eames, took out three awards including The Backlot Perth People.s Choice Award. . Feature film Bad Girl, written and directed Fin Edquist and produced by Steve Kearney, Bruno Charlesworth and Tenille Kennedy, took out the night.s most coveted award for Media Super Best Long Form — Drama, winning over The Legend of Gavin Tanner and Bngvel.
The winners of the 28th annual West Australian Screen Awards, hosted by comedian Rhys Nicolson, were unveiled last night at the Heath Ledger Theatre in Perth. The big winner of the night was short drama We Were Here, directed by David Vincent Smith and produced by Joshua Gilbert and Simon Camp, which won four gongs including Cinefest Oz Best Short Form — Drama and Jaguar Best Performance by an Actress for Alexandra Nell.s performance. Flushed, written, directed and produced by Richard Eames, took out three awards including The Backlot Perth People.s Choice Award. . Feature film Bad Girl, written and directed Fin Edquist and produced by Steve Kearney, Bruno Charlesworth and Tenille Kennedy, took out the night.s most coveted award for Media Super Best Long Form — Drama, winning over The Legend of Gavin Tanner and Bngvel.
- 7/5/2016
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
The Legend of Gavin Tanner.
We Were Here and Flushed have scooped the nominations for the West Australian Screen Awards.
The West Australian Screen Awards celebraes excellence and achievements in feature film, short film, web series, music videos, television production, documentary, games and interactive productions.
Short drama We Were Here, directed by David Vincent Smith and produced by Joshua Gilbert and Simon Camp, earned six nominations, the most for the awards.
Short comedy Flushed, directed and produced by Richard Eames, also received six nominations.
ABC comedy TV series The Legend of Gavin Tanner, written and directed by Matt Lovkis and Henry Inglis and produced by Lauren Elliott received five nominations, as did short drama Sol Bunker, produced by Glen Stasiuk and directed by Nathan Mewett.
Film and Television Institute Wa (Fti) chief executive, Paul Bodlovich, said the WASAs were one of the most important events on the cultural calendar in Western Australia.
We Were Here and Flushed have scooped the nominations for the West Australian Screen Awards.
The West Australian Screen Awards celebraes excellence and achievements in feature film, short film, web series, music videos, television production, documentary, games and interactive productions.
Short drama We Were Here, directed by David Vincent Smith and produced by Joshua Gilbert and Simon Camp, earned six nominations, the most for the awards.
Short comedy Flushed, directed and produced by Richard Eames, also received six nominations.
ABC comedy TV series The Legend of Gavin Tanner, written and directed by Matt Lovkis and Henry Inglis and produced by Lauren Elliott received five nominations, as did short drama Sol Bunker, produced by Glen Stasiuk and directed by Nathan Mewett.
Film and Television Institute Wa (Fti) chief executive, Paul Bodlovich, said the WASAs were one of the most important events on the cultural calendar in Western Australia.
- 5/31/2016
- by Brian Karlovsky
- IF.com.au
Anzac Girls. Sara West and Mystery Road.s Samara Weaving head the cast of Bad Girl, writer-director Fin Edquist.s psychological thriller which starts shooting in Perth on August 31.
West plays 16-year-old Amy, the title character who has to fight for her adoptive parents when her new best friend Chloe (Weaving) tries to supplant her.
Playing the parents are Felicity Price, who stars in Joel Edgerton.s Us thriller The Gift and her partner Kieran Darcy-Smith.s upcoming Western By Way of Helena, and Benjamin Winspear (House of Hancock, Rake, The Babadook).
The film marks a departure in tone for Edquist, who scripted the animated family pics Maya the Bee and Blinky Bill: The Movie, which opens in cinemas on September 10.
The producers are Steve Kearney (Oddball, My Mistress), Bruno Charlesworth (Good Vibrations, The Extra) and Tenille Kennedy. This is the feature producing debut for Kennedy, who co-produced three...
West plays 16-year-old Amy, the title character who has to fight for her adoptive parents when her new best friend Chloe (Weaving) tries to supplant her.
Playing the parents are Felicity Price, who stars in Joel Edgerton.s Us thriller The Gift and her partner Kieran Darcy-Smith.s upcoming Western By Way of Helena, and Benjamin Winspear (House of Hancock, Rake, The Babadook).
The film marks a departure in tone for Edquist, who scripted the animated family pics Maya the Bee and Blinky Bill: The Movie, which opens in cinemas on September 10.
The producers are Steve Kearney (Oddball, My Mistress), Bruno Charlesworth (Good Vibrations, The Extra) and Tenille Kennedy. This is the feature producing debut for Kennedy, who co-produced three...
- 8/16/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Documentary musical Prison Songs and animated TV series God Squad each won three trophies at the 27th annual Wa Screen Awards.
Writer-director Jeffory Asselin.s Pinch was the surprise winner of. best feature film . drama, edging out Kill Me Three Times,. Paper Planes and The Reckoning.
The film revolves around a light-fingered teen who attempts to rip off a major drug syndicate to pay for his mother's life saving surgery.
Producer/director Lauren Brunswick received the $5,000 McKenna Hampton Young Filmmaker of the Year award.
Presented by Fti, the awards were handed out at the Heath Ledger Theatre on June 29, hosted by comedian Joel Creasey.
The Beyond West-produced Prison Songs by Kelrick Martin and Harry Bardwell took the prizes for best TV production . factual, best long form editing and sound. Martin also won the award for best long form direction..
God Squad by Troy Zafer and Nicholas Kempt was named best animation,...
Writer-director Jeffory Asselin.s Pinch was the surprise winner of. best feature film . drama, edging out Kill Me Three Times,. Paper Planes and The Reckoning.
The film revolves around a light-fingered teen who attempts to rip off a major drug syndicate to pay for his mother's life saving surgery.
Producer/director Lauren Brunswick received the $5,000 McKenna Hampton Young Filmmaker of the Year award.
Presented by Fti, the awards were handed out at the Heath Ledger Theatre on June 29, hosted by comedian Joel Creasey.
The Beyond West-produced Prison Songs by Kelrick Martin and Harry Bardwell took the prizes for best TV production . factual, best long form editing and sound. Martin also won the award for best long form direction..
God Squad by Troy Zafer and Nicholas Kempt was named best animation,...
- 6/30/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Director Kimble Rendall will shoot the final concert featuring all eight current and previous members of the Hoodoo Gurus at the Vivid Festival next month for his feature-length documentary on the band.
Rendall won.t be able to call the shots as he.ll be on stage as a co-founder of the band, whose four original and four later members reunited for the Be My Guru concert at Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre last November.
So, working with producer/DoP Helen Barrow and Perth producer Tenille Kennedy, he will arrange the set-up of the 5-8 cameras and plan the shooting schedule. Tania Chambers is the Ep.
Featuring Rendall on guitar, The Gurus will play sold-out concerts at the festival in Sydney on May 22 and 23. Funded by ScreenWest, he shot fly-on-the-wall scenes at the Scarborough concert.
He.s had approaches from an Australian broadcaster and hopes the documentary (working title: Hoodoo Gurus Gravy...
Rendall won.t be able to call the shots as he.ll be on stage as a co-founder of the band, whose four original and four later members reunited for the Be My Guru concert at Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre last November.
So, working with producer/DoP Helen Barrow and Perth producer Tenille Kennedy, he will arrange the set-up of the 5-8 cameras and plan the shooting schedule. Tania Chambers is the Ep.
Featuring Rendall on guitar, The Gurus will play sold-out concerts at the festival in Sydney on May 22 and 23. Funded by ScreenWest, he shot fly-on-the-wall scenes at the Scarborough concert.
He.s had approaches from an Australian broadcaster and hopes the documentary (working title: Hoodoo Gurus Gravy...
- 4/28/2015
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
When director Kimble Rendall takes to the stage with the Hoodoo Gurus in Perth on Sunday, it won.t just be the first time the band.s founders have performed together since 1982.
Rendall and producer/DoP Helen Barrow will shoot fly-on-the-wall scenes at the concert for a trailer which they hope will lead to a feature-length docu on the durable rock group.
Screen West is funding the shoot at the Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre, which will feature all past and current members of the band.
.The docu will look at the band over the course of 30 years and what happened to each of us,. Rendall, who played rhythm guitar, tells If.
The producers intend to work with Leap Frog Films. David Doepel to release the film via cinema-on-demand platform Tugg.
In addition to that project, Rendall plans to write and direct a sequel to his 2012 hit Bait 3D, which has the working title Nest.
Rendall and producer/DoP Helen Barrow will shoot fly-on-the-wall scenes at the concert for a trailer which they hope will lead to a feature-length docu on the durable rock group.
Screen West is funding the shoot at the Scarborough Beach Amphitheatre, which will feature all past and current members of the band.
.The docu will look at the band over the course of 30 years and what happened to each of us,. Rendall, who played rhythm guitar, tells If.
The producers intend to work with Leap Frog Films. David Doepel to release the film via cinema-on-demand platform Tugg.
In addition to that project, Rendall plans to write and direct a sequel to his 2012 hit Bait 3D, which has the working title Nest.
- 11/28/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Six teams have been accepted into Screen Australia’s Springboard short development initiative, with the projects Please Explain, Bon Scott, The Last Hurrah, Scratch the Surface, Cat Night Morning and Dieback.
The teams will participate in two workshops to develop their short and revisit their feature script. Three projects will go into production, with a budget of up to $150,000.
Springboard will be run by screenwriting teachers and script consultants Simon van der Borgh and Jonathan Rawlinson.
The six teams are:
Leanne Tonkes (p), Steve Kearney (p), Anna Broinowski (w/d) with political satire Please Explain Lizzette Atkins (p), Sophie Edelstein (w), Eddie Martin (d) with biopic Bon Scott Sheila Jayadev (p), Matthew Zeremes (w), Oliver Torr (w), Martha Goddard (d) with drama The Last Hurrah Jannine Barnes (p), Grant Scicluna (w/d) with psychological thriller Scratch the Surface · Annmaree Bell (p), Cj Johnson (w/d) with caper Cat Night Morning...
The teams will participate in two workshops to develop their short and revisit their feature script. Three projects will go into production, with a budget of up to $150,000.
Springboard will be run by screenwriting teachers and script consultants Simon van der Borgh and Jonathan Rawlinson.
The six teams are:
Leanne Tonkes (p), Steve Kearney (p), Anna Broinowski (w/d) with political satire Please Explain Lizzette Atkins (p), Sophie Edelstein (w), Eddie Martin (d) with biopic Bon Scott Sheila Jayadev (p), Matthew Zeremes (w), Oliver Torr (w), Martha Goddard (d) with drama The Last Hurrah Jannine Barnes (p), Grant Scicluna (w/d) with psychological thriller Scratch the Surface · Annmaree Bell (p), Cj Johnson (w/d) with caper Cat Night Morning...
- 11/4/2010
- by Miguel Gonzalez
- Encore Magazine
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