Following its latest funding round, Screen Australia has announced investment of $3.19 million in a range of new projects that will trigger production to the value of $38.4 million. Projects supported in this slate include an action adventure film The Nest which is an official Australian/Chinese co-production, A Few Less Men, the sequel to one of Australia’s most successful comedy features of 2011 A Few Best Men, and a new TV series starring Rebecca Gibney.

In The Nest the innocent discovery of a well-preserved mummified Emperor from 200 BC China unleashes a 2000 year-old nightmare – a secret that should have remained buried. The film will be visual effects-driven and will be primarily shot and post-produced in Australia. Kimble Rendall is slated to direct the film following on from his Chinese Box Office smash hit Bait 3D.

A Few Less Men will see Xavier Samuel, Kevin Bishop and Kris Marshall reprise their roles as “the men” who will transport their mate’s coffin across Australia after a forced plane landing strands them in the middle of the Australian bush. Penned by UK writer Dean Craig (Death at a Funeral), the film will be the second feature from Australian director Peter Templeman (Not Suitable for Children).

Another project funded in this round includes a new TV series titled Wanted, an action adventure drama from the team at Matchbox Pictures starring Rebecca Gibney. The series will be directed by Shirley Barrett, and follows two strangers who intervene in a deadly carjacking only to be swept up in a roller coaster chase across Australia in a car full of money.

Screen Australia’s Head of Production, Sally Caplan, says: “There are some very strong stories and characters in the current slate of funded projects, and it’s wonderful to see the creativity flowing from talented Australian writers, directors, producers and performers. We look forward to seeing these projects on Australian screens very soon.”