Five new TV projects in latest development funding

Dylan River, Tanith Glynn-Maloney

Five television series and two online projects are amongst new story development funding from Screen Australia.

They include projects from Goalpost Television, Lingo Pictures, and Ludo Studios.

Nerida Moore, Screen Australia’s Head of Development said, “With many productions temporarily halted it is more important than ever for us to support the development of Australian stories for all platforms. I’m encouraged to see the industry is taking advantage of this time, and we’ve seen a significant increase in Story Development applications with 92 applications received in April. This number includes the first Premium Plus applications.”

“What excites me about this latest mix of projects is the strategic pairing of emerging creators with experienced producers. We’re also thrilled to support teams taking on new challenges, with Bjorn Stewart adapting his short film Killer Native to a feature film, the team behind Robbie Hood developing a prequel story, and Adele Vuko building on the success of Over and Out with new science-fiction series Galactic Guardian. Baz Luhrmann developing a coming-of-age story set in regional Australia is also very exciting.”

Television:

Dalhousie
Film Depot Pty Limited
Genre Drama, Comedy
Writer Melina Marchetta
Creators Melina Marchetta, Louise Smith
Producer Louise Smith
Executive Producer Louise Smith
Synopsis: Since the tragic death of her husband, Martha has done a great job of avoiding her old life, until her 21 year old step-daughter Rosie arrives on her doorstep with a baby, demanding to take back her father’s house.

Heroine
Goalpost Television Pty Ltd
Genre Fantasy drama
Writer Matthew Whittet
Producers Kylie du Fresne, Rosemary Blight
Consultant Kate Erickson
Synopsis: Annie’s normal student life is abruptly upended when a dramatic encounter brings back missing memories, sending her on the run to save her supernatural Shadow Twin, Celeste – but their time is running out, and powerful destructive forces are hot on their heels.

The Messenger
Lingo Pictures Pty Ltd
Genre Drama
Writers Sarah Lambert, Kirsty Fisher, Leon Ford
Producer Jason Stephens, Helen Bowden
Synopsis: Ed Kennedy is a young, directionless man. His life is one of peaceful routine until a playing card inscribed with cryptic messages arrives in the mail. Chosen to care, Ed makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains: Who’s behind Ed’s mission?

Dirty Thirties
John Kassab
Genre Comedy, Drama
Creators Khaled Abdulwahab, John Kassab
Directors John Kassab, Craig Irvin
Writers John Kassab, Jane Allen, Craig Irvin, Candy Bowers
Producer John Kassab
Executive Producer Michael McMahon
Synopsis: A group of newly single African/Middle Eastern Australian friends navigate the ups and downs of modern dating.

Thou Shalt Not Steal
Ludo Studio & Since1788 Productions
Genre Comedy, Drama
Writer/Director Dylan River
Producer Tanith Glynn-Maloney
Development Producer Lauren Brown
Executive Producers Daley Pearson, Charlie Aspinwall
Synopsis: After finding out a dark family secret. Robyn (17) a young Aboriginal delinquent, goes on a journey from her small desert community to the city in search of answers, learning some much needed moral values along the way.

Online

Swamped
Stupid Old Studios Pty Ltd
Genre Comedy
Writers Bec Petraitis, Kate Dehnert
Director Evan Munro-Smith
Producer Emma Sharp
Executive Producers Bec Petraitis, Kate Dehnert
Contributing Writers David Koutsouridis, Urvi Majumdar, Xavier Michelides
Synopsis: Two digital media burnouts become their own bosses, only to find themselves trapped in the business they’ve created.

The Galactic Guardian
Thirty Three Films
Genre Comedy, Science fiction
Writer/Director Adele Vuko
Synopsis: Celeste is a self-destructive dirtbag and unwilling Galactic Guardian, responsible for protecting the Milky Way against evil. But when she accidentally opens a wormhole to dark realm, she’ll be forced to grow up and accept responsibility for her actions – or pay the ultimate price.