46 local projects will share in $12.8 million funding from Screen Australia.
Celebrating distinctive perspectives with local and global appeal, the narrative projects range from bold stories to major co-productions, showcasing the originality and ingenuity of Australia’s creative talent which includes Rob Connolly, Kitty Flannagan, Anne Edmonds, Tony Armstrong, and Henry Stone.
“We know Australian stories are in demand across the world and in our own backyard, and Screen Australia is uniquely positioned to support the tapestry of voices that celebrate and speak to our multi-faceted, diverse community. Local stories are resonant because they are beautifully particular yet underpinned by universal themes that all viewers can relate to,” director of narrative content at Screen Australia, Louise Gough, said.
“Our creative industry is respected internationally for their craft and commitment to bold, ambitious projects. This investment is a testament to the tenacity of our emerging and established creatives, including the collaborative spirit that connects Australian stories with global audiences.”
Among the projects is director Rob Connolly’s Shiver, the first Australian narrative feature film to shoot in Antarctica. Based on Nikki Gemmell’s acclaimed novel, this adaptation follows the profound transformation of a young journalist as she ventures into the vast, fragile wilderness of Antarctica. It will be produced by Liz Kearney (Memoir of a Snail) and Kate Laurie (Petrol) alongside Connolly.
Also supported is a laugh-out-loud comedy for ABC, created by and starring Anne Edmonds, alongside Kitty Flannagan. Set within the crumbling walls of an iconic theatre company on the brink of bankruptcy over a six-part series, Bad Company is directed by Tom Peterson, who worked with Flannagan on the hit show Fisk, and produced by Andrew Walker (Deadloch), with executive producers Edmonds, Kevin Whyte (Rosehaven), and Ben Grogan (Upper Middle Bogan).
A six-part webseries is in development from Tony Armstrong and Henry Stone, centralised around a fictionalised version of Armstrong. It follows the TV personality caught in an ethical tug-of-war of lending his name to dodgy social media content brand deals. Across the 10-minute episodes, the fictional Armstrong navigates fame and influence, while attempting to maintain personal integrity.
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Australian and Canadian co-production Written in the Stars, based on Su Dharmapala’s novel The Wedding Season, adapted for screen by Menik Gooneratne, has also received support. The heartwarming rom-com celebrates the Sri-Lankan community of modern-day Melbourne, featuring an all-South Asian cast led by Gooneratne.
Also on the list is the recently announced Stan Original crime mystery series The Killings: Parrish Station, starring Mia Wasikowska, Heather Mitchell, Robert Taylor, and Xavier Samuel, as well as 2 Moons from director Fadia Abboud, a comedic feature about confronting the past called Martini Mama, a six-part drama series based on the true story of design Florence Broadhurst, and Bloom, a five-part webseries written and directed by Stephen de Villiers.
Two new Screen Australia funded original children’s series were also recently announced for the ABC, Happy House and Caper Crew, which will screen in 2026.