Legendary Australian actress Toni Collette is set to make her feature directorial debut on the back of new funding from Screen Australia.
The Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning star will helm “The Best Of,” an adaption of Graeme Simsion’s best selling novel, which follows “two former flames who reunite after decades of living separate lives, exploring the unexpected sorrow, chaos and bliss when old feelings resurface.”
The film will be backed by Screen NSW as well as Screen Australia, with local distribution by Kismet and international sales by Cornerstone.
The news comes as Screen Australia this week announced over $16.9 million in production and development funding for 75 Narrative Content projects, including feature film, series and short film.
As well as Collette’s movie, the agency has also confirmed a series adaptation of Sarah Bailey’s award-winning novel, “The Dark Lake,” from Brouhaha Entertainment (“Boy Swallows Universe”), starring local favourite Phoebe Tonkin “as a rural town detective who must confront dark secrets from her past when she investigates the murder of her former high school classmate,” and an untitled debut feature film project from Australian comedy group, Sooshi Mango.
The film, which follows the viral trip in character as they “rally their multicultural community to save their beloved social club when a mysterious health and wellness club threatens its future,” is directed by Nick Kozakis (“Kick On”) and is produced by Paul Dainty, Cathy Rodda and Timothy Whiting.
“Australian storytellers continue to captivate audiences with their creativity, originality and distinctive perspectives. This latest round of funding supports an exciting range of projects from emerging creatives forging new paths to established voices exploring new creative territory,” Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content, Louise Gough, said.
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“Screen Currency 2026 found that local stories matter deeply to Australians, and these projects will deliver on the authenticity and ambition that audiences have come to expect. Together, they showcase stories and experiences that resonate here at home and around the world.”
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