Sydney- Jane Smith, former Chief Executive of the New South Wales Film and Television Office, has joined Seed Australia, the production company headed by Hugh Jackman, John Palermo and Deborra-lee Furness. Smith, who signs on Vice President, will work with Lisa Shaunessy in developing projects for Seed with the principals/founders.

 

Launched last August, Seed aims to produce four or five films per year, each budgeted at less than A$10 million (US$8 million), and to work on live theatre and television projects.

 

First film in development is an epic love story which will mark the directing debut of Australian writer Stu Beattie (Collateral, Pirates of the Caribbean).

 

Seed's first TV ventures were the documentary series, An Aussie Goes Barmy  for Foxtel, and The Directors,  with Deborra-lee Furness.