Screen Australia has announced $7.6million in investments into local projects spanning across feature film, social media and television.
Among the productions receiving part of the $7.6million in backing is the debut feature film from writer, director, producer and actor Tilda Cobham-Hervey, titled “It’s All Going Very Well No Problems At All,” which tells the story of a young artist unravelling until she sparks an unexpected friendship with an elderly care home resident.
The film is being co-produced by Dev Patel, Liam Heyen, Jomon Thomas, and Cobham-Hervey, with Natalya Pavchinskaya and Cyna Strachan executive producing.
Other projects include an animated children’s series “Jidoo & Ibis,” about the relationship between a grumpy Grandpa and Australia’s beloved bin chicken, “CEEBS,” a comedy series for TikTok about two friends on a mission to save their local youth centre from imminent closure, and “DIVA,” a series inspired by a true story about 21-year-old Elly attempting to balance his religious Samoan life and his ambitions of becoming a professional wrestler in drag.
“Screen Australia is uniquely positioned to support a thriving pipeline of Australian stories that connect with audiences across multiple platforms and genres,” said Screen Australia’s Director of Narrative Content, Louise Gough. “This funding reflects our commitment to both emerging and established creatives, reinforcing the strength and diversity of our industry.
“Demand on Screen Australia funding remains high, and our recent survey was a reminder of the value that the sector places on our direct funding. In an ever-changing landscape, one thing remains constant – Australian screen storytelling is a vital cultural force that continues to resonate with audiences here at home and across the world.
“We’re proud to back this extensive collection of distinct and ambitious projects”.
The strong investment follows Screen Australia’s Drama Report revealing a sharp 29% drop in total industry expenditure for 2023-24, with spending falling to AUD 1.7 billion ($1.08 billion), notes Screen Producers Australia (SPA).
The downturn spans multiple sectors, including a significant reduction in free-to-air drama and theatrical features. Investment in Australian titles decreased by 18%, dropping from AUD 1.128 billion to AUD 929 million, with the number of productions falling from 120 to 99. Free-to-air drama took the biggest hit with a 32% decline in spending.