Toni Collette will make her feature directing debut with “The Best Of,” her screen version of Graeme Simsion’s bestselling novel, which is one of 75 projects sharing more than AUD16.9 million ($11.7 million) in production and development money from Screen Australia.
The round, announced Tuesday, covers features, series and shorts.
“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 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,” said Louise Gough, Screen Australia’s director of narrative content.
Jeffrey Walker (“The Artful Dodger,” “Fing!”) directs “Bull” (working title), a feature from Infin8 Studios and Total Fiction Films. Drawn from a true story, it follows a smooth-talking prisoner who signs up for a debating team inside Tasmania’s harshest jail, hoping to change course and finally give his mother a reason to be proud. George Pullar stars, co-writes with Taylor Danworth and produces with Michael Lawrence, John Molloy and Suzanne Walker. Richard Roxburgh, Robyn Malcolm, Teresa Palmer, Thomas M Wright and Harrison Gilbertson round out the cast. Screen Queensland is on board, with Kismet distributing locally and Cornerstone handling international sales.
Among the shorts, BAFTA-nominated Rosie Westhoff (“The Main Part”) writes and directs “Solastalgia,” in which a young girl tries to reassemble scattered memories of the bushfire that destroyed her home while looking for connection in a transformed place. Chloe Brennan (“We Used to Own Houses”), Amanda Browne and Ashlee Russell (both “Mothmama”) produce, with Kitty Green (“The Royal Hotel”) as mentor.
Full lists of production, development and short film approvals are on Screen Australia’s website. The agency will reveal more recently funded projects alongside the ABC Media Showcase on Oct. 21.
