Screen Australia announced AU$1.15 million in funding for seven feature length documentaries through its Signature funding programme on May 1, initiating AU$2.69 million worth of production.
Screen Australia Senior Manager, Documentary Liz Stevens said, “We have backed a large and distinctive slate of Signature documentaries this year, reinforcing the strength and diversity of one-off documentaries, and will provide support to established producers and directors as well as emerging filmmakers.”
The projects supported include A Cold War, a story about Greenpeace’s ‘Artic 30’ activists taking on Russian energy giant Gazprom in a gripping modern day environmental battle, by director/writer/producer Juliet Lamont and producer Julia Overton.
Baxter and Me, by producer Sue Brooks and director Gillian Leahy, is a reflection on an independent woman’s life and her love of dogs, specifically her dog Baxter. The documentary explores the relationship between humans and dogs, in a candid examination of the happiness people gain through this widespread relationship.
Also supported are director/producers Richard Lowenstein and Lynn-Maree Milburn, and producers Maya Gnyp and Andrew de Groot, for their psychological true detective story Ecco Homo, which offers an insight into Australian 80s music and pop culture, touching on the issues of AIDS and prostitution.
In the Land of Wolves is a portrait of a village in the Caucasus, situated at the border of Europe and Asia, soon to be shaken from its medieval languor, by producer Brian McKenzie and director Grace McKenzie.
In a David-and-Goliath battle over land in Papua New Guinea, The Opposition investigates the clash between the leader of the Paga Hill Settlement and an Australian land developer. It is produced by Rebecca Barry and Madeleine Hetherton and directed by Hollie Fifer.
Producer Pat Fiske and director Jane Castle recount a daughter’s journey of discovery following the disturbing and mysterious death of her mother, a pioneer Australian filmmaker, in When the Camera Stopped Rolling.
In the evocative Winter at Westbeth, the gracious elderly residents of the Westbeth Artist Community in New York’s West Village reject the idea of ageing and retirement by dancing. The film is produced by Adam Farrington-Williams and directed by Rohan Spong.
The Signature Documentary Programme provides production funding for projects that are bold in form and content. The stories can be local or international but they must have an Australian team with a strong vision. This programme is unique in that it doesn’t require a broadcaster attachment.
A Cold War
85 mins
Sling and Arrow Pty Ltd
Producers: Juliet Lamont, Julia Overton
Writer/Director: Juliet Lamont
Synopsis: A Cold War explores the dirty tactics at play as Greenpeace takes on Russian energy giant Gazprom in one of the most gripping environmental battles of the 21st century.
Baxter and Me
85 mins
Gecko Films Pty Ltd
Producer: Sue Brooks
Director: Gillian Leahy
Distributor: Ronin Films
Synopsis: One independent woman’s life with and without men, but always with dogs.
Ecco Homo
85 mins
Ghost Pictures
Producers: Richard Lowenstein, Maya Gnyp, Andrew de Groot, Lynn-Maree Milburn
Directors: Richard Lowenstein, Lynn-Maree Milburn
Distributor: Apparition Entertainment
Synopsis: Ecco Homo is a psychological detective story of secrets and lies, sexual abuse, incest, transgender, fame and HIV in the life of an elusive, wilful, wicked and ultimately doomed chameleon.
In the Land of Wolves
90 mins
Brian McKenzie Film Productions Pty. Ltd.
Producer: Brian McKenzie
Director: Grace McKenzie
Synopsis: A portrait of a village in the Caucasus soon to be shaken from its medieval languor.
The Opposition
70 mins
Media Stockade Pty Ltd
Producers: Rebecca Barry, Madeleine Hetherton
Director: Hollie Fifer
Synopsis: The Opposition delves deep into the David vs Goliath battle over a slice of Papua New Guinean paradise, between the leader of the Paga Hill Settlement and an Australian land developer.
When the Camera Stopped Rolling
77 mins
Bower Bird Films Pty Limited
Producer: Pat Fiske
Director: Jane Castle
Synopsis: A daughter is catapulted on a journey of discovery following the disturbing and uncanny death of her mother, a pioneer Australian filmmaker.
Winter at Westbeth
75 mins
Unicorn Films
Producer: Adam Farrington-Williams
Executive Producer: Lizzette Atkins
Director: Rohan Spong
Synopsis: In New York’s West Village, the elderly residents of the Westbeth Artist Community are dancing as though their lives depended on it.
