VICELAND series Appetite selected at Canneseries

Upcoming SBS VICELAND original Appetite has been selected to screen in the Short Form Competition at Canneseries during MIPTV 14-19 April -the only Australian entry this year.

Commissioned under the Digital Originals initiative the 6 x 10 comedy / mystery begins when a food delivery rider dies on the streets of Sydney, as an unlikely trio of fellow riders find themselves entangled in a mystery to uncover the truth and expose a multinational food delivery behemoth.

Appetite was created by Mohini Herse (Hair) who wrote, directed, and produced. She served as director’s assistant for Taika Waititi on Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder and directed Australia’s first ever Instagram series The Out There.

The project was produced under Fell Swoop Pictures alongside director Neil Sharma, in association with Photoplay, with writers Neilesh Verma and Grace Tan, producer Karen Radzyner, and executive producers Sleena Wilson, Elise McCredie and Jomon Thomas.

Herse said: “We are thrilled to be having our world premiere at Canneseries! For many of us in the creative team, Canneseries will mark the first time being In-Competition at an international film festival. It’s been a dream come true to do this alongside my long-time friends and collaborators and I’m so proud of how far we’ve all come. Appetite is a satirical look at the effects of the gig economy, and we can only hope that it starts a conversation – Canneseries feels like a good place to start.”

SBS Scripted Commissioning Editor, Loani Arman, said, “We’re so proud to see these creative teams showcasing their talents to a global audience, and to see these exciting and distinctive Australian stories alongside the world’s best drama – exactly as they should to be.

“Digital Originals continues to not only produce uniquely entertaining and innovative stories that connect with audiences, but also continues to provide a platform for underrepresented voices in our sector that are part of the tidal wave of talent we have here in Australia.”

A previous Digital Original, Latecomers, also recently received international recognition as the only Australian project selected for Series Mania in Lille, France.

SBS Scripted Commissioning Editor, Donna Chang, added: “Congratulations to everyone involved on this wonderful and well-deserved recognition for both series.

“Digital Originals provides a vital platform for emerging creative talent and keeps delivering series that raise the bar every year. Our proudest achievement is its success as a career pathway – the teams behind Latecomers and Appetite join an incredible Digital Originals alum, and we look forward to opportunities to work with them in the future.”

Screen Australia’s Head of Online, Lee Naimo, said: “We are immensely proud of these engaging series’ that have been developed through our Digital Originals initiative with SBS and NITV. It’s fantastic to see them recognised on a world stage which I have no doubt will help inspire the next wave of Digital Originals creators.”

Principal production funding was provided by Screen Australia in association with SBS, and with support from Screen NSW.

Appetite will premiere at 9.30pm on 22 April on SBS VICELAND.