Screen Australia Awards $11.8m In Funding To 75 Narrative Projects

Screen Australia has announced more than $11.8m (A$16.9m) in production and development funding for 75 narrative projects, spanning feature films, series and short films.

The supported projects include The Best Of, which marks the directorial debut of award-winning actress Toni Collette; a debut feature from viral Australian comedy group Sooshi Mango; The Dark Lake, a series adaption from Brouhaha Entertainment; and family short film My Life as a 12-Year-Old Demon Hunter…With Great Hair!

Louise Gough, Screen Australia’s Director of Narrative Content, said: “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 [Screen Australia’s research report] 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.”

Some of the supported projects include:

The Best Of – an adaptation of Graeme Simsion’s bestselling novel, marking the directorial debut of award-winning actor Toni Collette. Produced by Collette and Christopher Simon, the film follows two former flames who reunite after decades of living separate lives.
Supported by Screen Australia and Screen NSW. Kismet is handling local distribution with Cornerstone handling international sales.

The Dark Lake – a series adaptation of Sarah Bailey’s award-winning novel from Brouhaha Entertainment, starring Phoebe Tonkin as a rural town detective who must confront dark secrets from her past when she investigates the murder of her former classmate. Produced by Troy Lum and Andrew Mason, written and executive produced by Becca Johnstone, and executive produced by Giorgia Stawaruk, Tonkin & Katarina Mandic.
Supported by Screen Australia and Screen NSW.

Bull (working title) – feature film produced by Infin8 Studios and Total Fiction Films, directed by Jeffrey Walker and written by George Pullar and Taylor Danworth. Pullar also stars with Richard Roxburgh, Robyn Malcolm and Teresa Palmer. Inspired by the true story of a fast-talking inmate who joins a debating team inside Tasmania’s toughest prison in a desperate bid to turn his life around. Supported by Screen Australia and Screen Queensland. Kismet is handling local distribution with Cornerstone handling international sales.

Untitled Sooshi Mango project – debut feature from viral Australian comedy group Sooshi Mango following three stubborn Italian immigrants who rally their multicultural community to save their beloved social club when a mysterious health and wellness club threatens its future. Directed by Nick Kozakis, the film is produced by Paul Dainty, Cathy Rodda and co-producer Timothy Whiting, and written by Sooshi Mango’s Joe Salanitri, Carlo Salanitri and Andrew Manfre, with Declan Fay.
Supported by Screen Australia and VicScreen. Local distribution by Roadshow.

No Friend But The Mountains – feature film based on the memoir by Behrouz Boochani, directed by Rodd Rathjen and written by Rathjen and Boochani. Fleeing persecution as a Kurdish journalist, Boochani is intercepted at sea and sent to Manus Island where he refuses to fade.
Supported by Screen Australia, New Zealand Film Commission, Screen Queensland and VicScreen. Local distribution by Madman.

My Life As A 12-Year-Old Demon Hunter…With Great Hair! – blending live action and animation, this short film from Pacific Islander-led company Mana Film Productions follows a day in the life of Tala, a 12-year-old demon hunter whose biggest challenge isn’t schoolwork, but the demons trying to steal her power. Written, directed and co-produced by author Maria Lewis, co-produced by Shonee Samia with animation by Herbert Leota.
Supported by Screen Australia.

Desi Down Under – feature film reimagining of the coming-of-age Indian-Australian audio series of the same name, created and written by Mithila Gupta. Written and produced by Gupta with producers Nina Aujla, Smriti Mundhra and Maya Gnyp, the romantic comedy follows three misfits as they travel from Kerala to Coogee to learn surf-lifesaving skills to help their countrymen.

See here for the full list of Screen Australia Narrative Content funding approvals for Production, Development and Short Film.