Latest news with #ScreenAustralia
SBS Australia
2 days ago
- Business
- SBS Australia
Stories of love, loyalty and self-discovery among six shortlisted Digital Originals, as applications open for 2025
Applications are now being received for the sixth year of the trailblazing initiative, showcasing under-represented voices and uncovering fresh Australian screen stories. SBS, National Indigenous Television (NITV) and Screen Australia have announced six new series receiving development funding through the successful Digital Originals initiative, supporting pathways for emerging under-represented screen creatives. The six shortlisted Digital Originals feature everything from body switching, sinking boats, screaming toddlers and supernatural journeys, pushing boundaries in the ways they explore themes of love and loyalty, friendship and community, resilience and self-discovery. Digital Originals is a long-running partnership between SBS, NITV and Screen Australia with a proven record for elevating talent, and uncovering exciting, innovative and risk-taking scripted series. The initiative supports the development of emerging screen creatives historically under-represented in the sector, including those who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse, First Nations, d/Deaf and with disability, women and gender diverse, LGBTQIA+ and those from regional and remote areas. It offers a valuable pathway in the industry, equipping creatives with skills, industry connections and support to bring distinctive Australian stories to life. The following six Digital Originals selected for development were chosen from the 10 teams who took part in an exclusive workshop hosted by Screen Australia, SBS and NITV in November 2024. Up to three projects from this cohort will be chosen for production funding and commissioning. ' Banana Milkshake' (L-R) Jonathan Lo, David Ma and Georgia Noe Banana Milkshake (NSW) When budding high school filmmaker Oliver Zhang is roped into blackmailing his teacher to save his cousin from expulsion, he finds himself in way too deep, confronted by moral choices he thought only existed in movies. Producer: Georgia Noe (Floating Leaf Pictures) Writers: David Ma and Johnathan Lo Director: David Ma 'Hardly a Wallflower' (L-R) Jessica Smith, Scarlett Koehne and Olivia Muscat Hardly a Wallflower (VIC) When a blind novelist goes undercover at her best friend's flower shop in a desperate bid to save her writing career, her cynical views on love are tested by the spirit of Valentine's Day and a romantic complication of her own. Producer: Scarlett Koehne (Pikelet Pictures) Writer: Olivia Muscat Writer/Director: Jessica Smith 'In Her Body' (L-R) Rachel Maxine Anderson and Rae Choi In Her Body ( QLD) When two migrant women – Vanessa, an architect at the height of her career, and her unassuming housecleaner, Thelma – switch bodies, they must confront the cost of their unspoken sacrifices before it's too late. Writers/Directors: Rachel Maxine Anderson and Rae Choi 'Mangrove Mansion' (L-R) Mary Duong and Rhianna Malezer Mangrove Mansion (QLD) When her estranged dad derails their wedding plans, Sunny and fiancé Alex commandeer his houseboat to get him to the mainland. Crashing into a stinking mess of mud and mangroves, they must survive the sinking boat, Country, and each other to get unstuck. Writer/Producer: Mary Duong (Super Fruity) Writer/Director: Rhianna Malezer 'Nailing It' (L-R) Kartanya Maynard and Takani Clark Nailing It! (TAS) After botching a Welcome to Country, a culturally disconnected Aboriginal woman accidentally opens a passageway to the spiritual realm. Now supernatural entities wreak havoc, forcing her to juggle exorcisms and entrepreneurship, and embark on a challenging journey of self-discovery. Writers: Takani Clark and Kartanya Maynard 'Tantrum' (L-R) Sunanda Sachatrakul, Vidya Rajan and Jemma Cotter Tantrum (VIC) Varsha's doing a career-defining comedy gig. So, when best friend Jeev's screaming toddler derails the night – she snaps, calling out their entitlement in an anti-parent rant that goes viral… and tilts their friendship into a bitter, life-altering feud. Writers: Vidya Rajan and Sunanda Sachatrakul Directors: Jemma Cotter and Vidya Rajan SBS Head of Scripted, Nakul Legha, said:With such an exciting and ambitious group of projects at our Digital Originals workshops, it was very tough shortlisting six to take into development. We're thrilled to be working closely with this talented cohort of creatives to develop their projects. 'For any emerging creatives out there with a killer story to tell, I encourage you to apply to this round of Digital Originals. The resources, platform and pathway into the industry that this initiative offers is unmatched in the world. I can't wait to see the next wave of creative voices emerge through this year's round.' NITV Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production, Dena Curtis, said: 'Congratulations to the teams shortlisted, with bold, and innovative narratives showcased across an incredibly diverse range of stories. We continue to see First Nations creatives shining through with powerful and entertaining stories that connect with all Australians through Digital Originals, and we look forward to seeing how the participants develop their projects in 2025.' Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content, Louise Gough, said: 'Digital Originals continues to play a critical role in opening doors for exceptional, diverse voices, and this cohort of projects is testament to the initiative's role in unearthing new Australian screen stories. We're thrilled to partner again with SBS and NITV on this initiative, and look forward to discovering the next wave of original storytellers whose work reflects and celebrates the richness of contemporary Australia.' Applications for Digital Originals in 2025 are now open, and will close at 5pm AEST on 17 July 2025. Applications can be made with Screen Australia, here. Shortlisted teams will then be invited to attend an exclusive workshop in October, followed by a pitch day in November, with a select number of projects then offered further development funding. Screen Australia, SBS and NITV will also host a Digital Originals information webinar on 13 June. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend and hear from SBS Scripted Development Executive, Zaina Ahmed, NITV Commissioning Editor, Joseph Meldrum, and Screen Australia Investment Manager, Joanna Beveridge, about the history of Digital Originals and what Screen Australia, SBS and NITV are looking for in this current round, followed by a Q&A. Date: Friday 13 June 2025 Time: 12.30-1.15pm AEST Register: Click here Accessibility : An Auslan interpreter will be made available for the webinar. If you would like to discuss this or other accessibility requirements, please contact Online@ or call 1800 507 901. An Auslan interpreter will be made available for the webinar. If you would like to discuss this or other accessibility requirements, please contact Online@ or call 1800 507 901. A recording of this webinar will be made available on the Screen Australia website soon after. Today's announcement comes as the three latest Digital Originals – Moonbird, Warm Props and Moni – are set to premiere on SBS On Demand and NITV weekly from 19 June. It also follows a legacy of projects attracting local interest and breaking into international markets. On a global stage, Moonbird had its global premiere earlier this year in April in the Short Forms competition at Series Mania, Appetite featured in the Short Form Competition at Canneseries 2023 and was also nominated for a Rose d'Or, and Latecomers also featured at Series Mania in 2023. Locally, recognition for Digital Originals has included Night Bloomers creator Andrew Undi Lee winning an Australian Writers' Guild Award for Best Web Series in 2024, and AACTA Awards for Latecomers in 2024 for Best Online Drama or Comedy, A Beginner's Guide to Grief for Best Digital Series in 2022, and The Tailings for Best Short From Drama in 2021. More information about Digital Originals is available here. The initiative is one of the many delivered by SBS designed to improve inclusion in the screen industry – read more about this work here. For a pdf copy of this release, click here.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Do Not Watch This Show! Andy Lee's new family series premieres on ABC in July
Andy Lee's new animated series Do Not Watch This Show premieres at 6am on Friday 4 July on ABC iview, based on Lee's best-selling book series Do Not Open This Book . Families will be delighted to defy Wizz, a blue monster who refuses to accept that he is the star of a TV show and is desperate for kids to switch it off. Wizz, voiced by Lee, goes to hilarious lengths to deter his audience, which only makes him more appealing. In each of the 12 episodes, the audience is desperate to answer the ultimate question – why doesn't Wizz want us to watch the show? They will discover ridiculous, outrageous, limitless reasons why. The all-star cast features Denise Scott, Joel Creasey, Kura Forrester and Dave Hughes, with art direction by the book's illustrator Heath McKenzie. The series also features cameos from Hamish Blake, Glenn Robbins, Carrie Bickmore, Tony Armstrong, Pete Smith, Broden Kelly, Jack Post, Rebecca Harding, Mick Molloy, Ben Fordham and Chrissie Swan. Always free and Always entertaining, watch all of your favourite Family programs on ABC iview now. Production credit: Do Not Watch This Show is a Lee Bones Production for ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with ABC and VicScreen. Directed by Leo Baker. Series Producer Patrick Crawley. Written by Andy Lee, Jason Marion, Katie Westcott, Melanie Bracewell and Ray Matsen. Art Directed by Heath McKenzie. Producers Andy Lee and Greg Sitch. International Sales Lee Bones/Frank Worldwide Sales. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Australia-India Financing Venture Southern Sitara Bows at Cannes Market With Cross-Cultural Slate (EXCLUSIVE)
The growing appetite for Australia-India co-productions has spawned a new financing entity designed to bridge the two markets with structured investment and cultural authenticity. Southern Sitara, unveiled at the Cannes Film Market, represents the latest effort to capitalize on the bilateral co-production treaty between the two countries, targeting features in the AUD5-11 million ($3.2-7 million) range through a hybrid capital model that combines proprietary funds with co-raised investment. More from Variety Dhanush to Play Former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Om Raut-Directed Biopic Alibaba's 'Molly' Acquired for Malaysia by U.K.-China Film Collab (EXCLUSIVE) 'Legacies' Star Kaylee Kaneshiro Boards Cult Survivor Horror 'The Rift' From Helmer Colin Levy (EXCLUSIVE) The venture brings together investment duo Roshni Pandey and Jagdish Sidhu — who oversee portfolios spanning Southeast Asia, London and Australia — with filmmaker Anupam Sharma, architect of the Australia India Film Fund. The trio will partner with production house Temple, which operates from Disney Studios Australia in Sydney. 'Australia provides unprecedented support to screen professionals,' said Sharma. 'Southern Sitara builds on this to enable authentic cultural storytelling.' The financing structure addresses familiar pain points in cross-border production, offering development funding, production investment, gap financing and cash flow loans. Pandey emphasized the de-risking approach: 'We've been piloting business models to de-risk film investment, and Australia's treaties and incentives have helped us transform the narrative.' Southern Sitara has assembled backing from established players in the Australia-India space, including Pradnya and Tej Dugal of Jhumka Films ('Maasa,' 'Farewell Amor'), London-based media investor Jacqui Miller-Charlton, Sydney investor Chandru Tolani and angel investor Shallu Kundra. Distribution is handled through first-look deals with Icon Film for English-language titles and Forum Films for Indian-language releases. The initial slate reflects the cultural bridge the entity aims to build. Projects include 'The Return,' a thriller from actor-director Anupam Kher shot extensively in Australia, horror film 'Shadows' that blends First Nations and Indian mythologies, and 'The Indian Cowboy,' inspired by India's sole country music performer Bobby Cash, who was discovered Down Under. Additional titles in development include Richard Jameson's 'Bidjara Kumari,' which has received backing from Screen Australia and Screen Queensland, and 'Framed,' supported by Screen Australia, Screen NSW and SBS. The venture has recruited Australian producers Lisa Duff ('Last Cab to Darwin'), Jannine Barnes ('Downriver'), Cathy Rodda ('Bromley – Light After Dark') and Victoria McIntyre Wharfe ('The Flood') for key creative roles, alongside 'Shark Tank Australia's' Ben Ulm and First Nations producer Jodie Bell ('Doug the Human'). Singapore-based Sidhu will handle finance and compliance while Pandey leads strategy and investor relations. 'Australia's production incentives and treaties offer a uniquely de-risked path to global film investment,' Sidhu noted, 'aligning with our focus on compliance and strong ROI.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
SBS Australia
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
SBS and Screen Australia showcase the next wave of Australian storytellers with Digital Originals
*FIRST LOOK TRAILERS: HERE* *IMAGES & SCREENERS: HERE* Premiering weekly from Thursday 19 June on National Indigenous Television (NITV) and SBS On Demand, SBS's award-winning Digital Originals initiative returns with three daring new scripted series from emerging screen creatives. From boundary-pushing First Nations storytelling to a genre-bending queer Pasifika led series, this year's Digital Originals showcase real, restless and innovative stories from creatives making waves in the industry with their fresh takes on identity, culture, and community. A trailblazing partnership between SBS, NITV, and Screen Australia, Digital Originals is central to SBS's commitment to championing diverse storytellers both in front and behind the camera. The initiative supports the development of rising talent who are under-represented in the sector including those who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), First Nations, people with disability, female and gender diverse, LGBTIQ+, and creatives based in regional and remote areas. Digital Originals has proven itself as an effective pathway for creators to advance their skills and generate interest from local and international markets. It also encapsulates how SBS is unafraid to go there when it comes to amplifying new voices in the screen landscape, with the initiative serving as a launchpad for the careers of trailblazers like Dylan River ( Thou Shalt Not Steal , Mystery Road: Origin ), Stevie Cruz Martin ( Safe Home ), Corrie Chen ( New Gold Mountain , Bad Behaviour ), Mohini Herse ( Four Years Later ) and more. SBS's phenomenal, brand-new, 2025 Digital Originals line-up features two cutting-edge First Nations productions, co-commissioned by NITV, and a distinctive queer Pasifika-Australian story: Moonbird was one of only eight projects worldwide to be featured in the Short Forms Competition at Series Mania in 2025. It is a co-production between the first-ever Tasmanian Aboriginal screen production company, Kutikina Productions, and Sheoak Films. Produced by Catherine Pettman and Adam Thompson , the series explores the relationship between a recently sober father ( Kyle Morrison ) and his son ( Lennox Monaghan ; Deadloch, Windcatcher ) who attempt to reconnect through a traditional muttonbirding season on a remote Tasmanian island. It is co-created, and co-written by Adam Thompson , and co-created, co-written and directed by Nathan Maynard . Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with SBS, with support from Screen Tasmania. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia, SBS and Screen Tasmania. Premieres Thursday 19 June at 8.30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand. was one of only eight projects worldwide to be featured in the Short Forms Competition at in 2025. It is a co-production between the first-ever Tasmanian Aboriginal screen production company, Kutikina Productions, and Sheoak Films. Produced by and , the series explores the relationship between a recently sober father ( ) and his son ( ; ) who attempt to reconnect through a traditional muttonbirding season on a remote Tasmanian island. It is co-created, and co-written by , and co-created, co-written and directed by . Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with SBS, with support from Screen Tasmania. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia, SBS and Screen Tasmania. Warm Props takes audiences behind the scenes with Charlie ( Tehya Makani ), who returns to a chaotic film shoot in her hometown in Western Australia and must then face her past as her narcissistic boss threatens the stability of her career and personal life. The heartening series is brought to life by acclaimed creator and writer Jub Clerc ( Mystery Road: Origin , Sweet As ) , co-writer Kimberley Benjamin (Our Medicine, Big Backyard Quiz), directed by Clerc and Benjamin, and produced by Jodie Bell for Ramu Productions. It also stars Rarriwuy Hick ( True Colours, Erotic Stories , Wentworth , Redfern Now ) and Jillian Nguyen ( Apple Cider Vinegar, Hungry Ghosts ). Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with SBS, with support from Screenwest and Lotterywest. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia and SBS. Premieres Thursday 26 June at 8:30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand. takes audiences behind the scenes with Charlie ( ), who returns to a chaotic film shoot in her hometown in Western Australia and must then face her past as her narcissistic boss threatens the stability of her career and personal life. The heartening series is brought to life by acclaimed creator and writer ( , ) co-writer directed by Clerc and Benjamin, and produced by for Ramu Productions. It also stars ( , , ) and ( ). Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with SBS, with support from Screenwest and Lotterywest. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia and SBS. In Moni , a gay Samoan man must reluctantly work out why his dead mother has unexpectedly plummeted from the heavens, and in doing so, learn to embrace his own truth. Led by creator, writer, and showrunner Taofia Pelesasa, director Alana Hicks, producer Nicole Coventry and executive producer Eliorah Malifa with Pelesasa Pics, the series stars Chris Alosio ( Talk To Me ). Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with SBS, with support from Screen NSW. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia and SBS. Premieres Thursday 3 July at 8:30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand. SBS Head of Scripted, Nakul Legha, said: 'Digital Originals is the only initiative of its kind globally and remains unmatched in its ambition, impact, and proven track-record as a launch-pad for the careers of emerging Australian storytellers from under-represented communities. 'As SBS celebrates its 50th anniversary, these bold new series embody our 'We Go There' ethos: delivering unapologetically authentic and entertaining stories from across Australia . Each production is a testament to the essential role SBS plays in Australia's cultural landscape, and we're thrilled to share them with our audiences.' NITV Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production, Dena Curtis, said: 'Digital Originals is a vital platform that showcases the breadth and boldness of First Nations storytelling and empowers the next generation of trailblazing Indigenous creatives. We're proud to support these creators bringing their unique visions to the screen and can't wait to see NITV audiences connect with their work.' Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content, Louise Gough, said: Digital Originals continues to uncover and elevate remarkable talent who are redefining Australian storytelling. These three projects from the east, south and west of Australia are bold, authentic and innovative – offering audiences compelling new perspectives that reflect the richness of our contemporary society.' Recent Digital Originals successes include 2023's Night Bloomers with creator Andrew Undi Lee winning an Australian Writers' Guild Award for Best Web Series, and Appetite which was selected as one of 10 series in the Short Form Competition at Canneseries 2023, and was also nominated for a Rose d'Or. In 2022, Latecomers won the 2024 AACTA Award for Best Online Drama or Comedy and was also featured in the Short Forms Competition at Series Mania in 2023. Alumni of Digital Originals have gone on to secure key creative roles across SBS Original drama series and elsewhere in the industry, including Mohini Herse ( Appetite ) who became set-up Director for SBS Original Four Years Later, producer Liam Heyen ( Latecomers, Erotic Stories ), director Madeleine Gottlieb ( Latecomers, Erotic Stories ), actress and activist Hannah Diviney ( Latecomers ), Stevie Cruz-Martin ( The Tailings, Safe Home ), as well as Corrie Chen and Michelle Law ( Homecoming Queens ), and Dylan River ( Robbie Hood ). Digital Originals is one of many initiatives delivered by SBS designed to improve inclusion in the screen industry. Read more about this work here. All threeDigital Originalsseries will be subtitled on SBS On Demand in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. Check out the Digital Originals Collection on SBS On Demand or visit SBS's We Go There Hub to explorea variety of curated collections that embody the bold spirit of SBS's cheeky new brand campaign. Each of the three Digital Originals series will premiere in full weekly from Thursday 19 June at 8.30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand. For a PDF of this media release, click here.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fans congratulate Jelena Dokic after Aussie tennis hero shares amazing news
Fans are sending congratulations to Jelena Dokic after the Australian tennis favourite was recognised this week for her groundbreaking documentary about the abuse she suffered at the hands of father Damir. Dokic's documentary 'Unbreakable', which was adapted from her 2017 memoir of the same name, aired in cinemas late last year and shocked the country with some of its awful revelations. It was shown on national TV in January, and shone a spotlight on the situation to a wider audience. Fans were blown away by Dokic's bravery and courage to overcome the horrific abuse and become the person she is today. And she revealed this week it had won 'Feature Documentary Production of the Year' at the annual Screen Producer Awards. "Thank you for the honour and recognition," Dokic wrote on social media with a photo holding her award. She thanked Screen Australia and Documentary Australia for the honour, as well as In Films Sydney and Roadshow for helping her get the doco off the ground. She made special mention of journalist Jessica Halloran, her management company IMG and agent David. "Without you all this would never have happened," she wrote. "You all believed in my story and bringing it to screen and you all made it happen. Thank you so much for the belief and the incredible hard work behind the scenes. We did it." Fans flooded the post with messages of congratulations and praise. Shaynna Blaze wrote: "So deserved - huge congratulations." Mark Philippoussis posted a love heart emoji, while another person commented: "Well done Jelena, you so deserve this and every wonderful moment that comes your way. You are a truly amazing individual." View this post on Instagram A post shared by JELENA DOKIC 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 (@dokic_jelena) Dokic reached World No.4 early in her career and looked set to conquer the tennis world, but she was doing it all in spite of physical and mental abuse from father and coach Damir. One of the most shocking incidents the doco revealed was when Dokic was knocked unconscious when Damir kicked her in the head after a loss. 'I remember he was so mad that he goes into the bathroom with me, locks the door, and he beat the crap out of me,' Jelena said. 'He slammed my head against the wall multiple times. He was kicking me. My shins were so bruised, I couldn't walk. He actually punches me in the head. And then I went unconscious for a little bit. He also stepped on my head as well.' Dokic is now estranged from Damir and has spoken to him for 10 years. The doco also shone a light on Jelena's heartache at having to turn her back on Australia and represent Yugoslavia at the demand of her father. The Australian public didn't understand at the time that Jelena didn't want to change her allegiances, and booed her at the Australian Open. Dokic said she feared for what her father might do if she went against his orders. "In 2001 when I had to switch from playing from Australia to Yugoslavia within 24 hours of walking on Rod Laver Arena. I was literally between two fires," she said. "My father here, if I didn't go and say it in a media conference that was called on suddenly, when I came back to the hotel room, who knows, probably wouldn't have survived that beating. Or here, I had the media, sponsors, public who were going to hammer me like they did. So what do you do? "So of course, I did that. 24 hours later, you walk out and you are on Rod Laver Arena, 15,000 people booing you, everyone writing that you're a traitor, and you're a 17-year-old who loves Australia so much. I loved representing this country. I come from a different culture. I was born in a different country, but I came here when I was 11. I absolutely loved Australia." Dokic switched her allegiance back to Australia in 2005, but said the Australian public's perception of her was "never the same". She went on to achieve a 14-3 record in Fed Cup and produced many famous victories for Australia. Readers seeking support can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline (13 11 14)
