Kriv Stenders has signed on to helm “Little Miracles,” a country music feature that will mark a collaboration between Australia’s Bronte Studios and First Option Pictures, with production scheduled to commence in 2026.
The project stems from an original concept by Mark Morrissey and features a screenplay penned by Steve Worland and Jeremy Sims. Morrissey is producing through his First Option Pictures banner alongside Bronte Studios’ Blake Northfield and Michelle Krumm.
Stenders’ previous directing work includes “Danger Close,” “Red Dog” and “The Correspondent,” which scored 14 nominations at this year’s Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts awards. Worland wrote “Paper Planes,” while Sims penned “Last Cab to Darwin.”
“Country music is the backbone of Australian storytelling. Australia is the world’s third-largest country music market, yet it’s rarely seen on our screens,” the producers noted. “We believe Kriv is the perfect director to bring this beautiful story to life and have wanted to collaborate with him for a long time. With films like ‘Slim & I,’ ‘Boy from the Bush’ and ‘Red Dog,’ it feels like a natural fit for him to bring those worlds together in ‘Little Miracles.’”
Stenders added: “For me, there is nothing more magical in cinema than the fusion of music, story and emotion — an alchemy that transforms personal experience into a collective one. ‘Little Miracles’ is a celebration of that power — a story about how songs can unite us, connect us and deepen our understanding of one another.”
David Hirschfelder has joined the production as music director and composer. The veteran composer’s credits span “Strictly Ballroom,” “Australia” and “The Dressmaker.”
Rialto Distribution has secured theatrical distribution rights in Australia, committing to a wide release for the film.
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Additional casting announcements and production details will be revealed as the 2026 shoot date approaches.
Bronte Studios’ recent slate includes “Beast of War” and has action thriller “Train” and feature “Dogs of War” in pre-production for first quarter starts. First Option Pictures was established by producer and talent manager Morrissey to develop commercially viable film and television projects.
From Variety US