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Bunya productions new appointments

Development and Distribution appointments for production company behind Mystery Road.

Greer Simpkin, David Jowsey, Aaron Pedersen

Bunya Productions (Mystery Road) has appointed Chris Kunz as Development and Production Executive and Courtney Botfield as Head of Distribution and Sales.

The two newly created positions are funded through Screen Australia’s Enterprise program.

Bunya’s CEO Sophia Zachariou said, “We are really excited to have both Courtney and Chris joining Bunya at this critical time for the company. They bring with them a wealth of talent and deep experience within the sector. Thanks to the support of Screen Australia’s Enterprise Business and Ideas program these growth opportunities have been made possible.”

Head of Television, Greer Simpkin said, “We love being hands on producers but development and distribution are critical and to have two new highly talented female additions to the Bunya team opens up an exciting and dynamic future. We have to thank Screen Australia for supporting our vision.”

Courtney Botfield said, “I’m delighted to be joining one of Australia’s most dynamic production companies. To be building the commercial profile of Bunya’s acclaimed catalogue and impressive development slate is such a wonderful opportunity.”

Chris Kunz added, “I can’t wait to start working on Bunya’s already amazing development slate. They’re a company I’ve admired from afar so I’m thrilled to get a chance to work with such a talented and wonderful bunch!”

Development and Production Executive Chris Kunz will continue to drive the development slate working closely with Head of Television Greer Simpkin and Head of Film, David Jowsey.

Chris is a creative professional who has 20 years’ experience working across the TV, film and publishing industries. She has worked with Matchbox Pictures, Beyond and Southern Star in Australia, and for Wark Clements in the UK, and has experience as a writer, editor and publisher working for Penguin Random House, HarperCollins and Hachette Australia.

Head of Distribution and Sales, Courtney Botfield will develop the IP and distribution arm of Bunya across a rapidly growing slate of film, TV and online productions as well as other IP extensions including podcasts, theatre and events.

Courtney is a film distribution and marketing specialist with over 20 years’ experience in independent film across development, production, distribution and exhibition in Australia and the UK having worked for leading film outfits including Roadshow Films, Transmission Films, Palace Cinemas and the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Courtney was the recipient of the 2015 Natalie Miller Fellowship, which recognises the next generation of female leaders in the Australian screen community.

The company have Mystery Road series 2, directed by Warwick Thornton and Wayne Blair currently in production, Leah Purcell’s The Drovers Wife shooting later this year, Ivan Sen’s latest feature film Loveland, Stephen Johnson’s feature film High Ground and Ili Bare’s feature documentary The LeaderShip in post-production as well as the company’s first comedy series, Nice Shorts premiering on 12 September online on Robot Army’s YouTube, and the official Nice Shorts IGTV and Facebook page.

Bunya Productions will continue to grow its TV drama slate as well as focusing on the international feature film market.

In the last year Bunya Productions have received eleven AACTA, three Screen Producers Australia (SPA) Awards, nine Film Critics Circle Awards, two ADG Awards two AWGIE Awards and a Logie award for most popular TV Drama. Mystery Road season one is the most streamed non-children’s show in ABC iview history.

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