Our li’l ole film industry is often on the receiving end of cruel jokes: Australia is to the global film industry what Soshanna is to Girls: looked over, endlessly outshone, the bridesmaid desperately trying to catch a break. Poor Shoshanna. Poor Australia. Praying for you both.
But, to be honest, it’s far too easy to forget how the Australian film industry—and Soshanna—are subtle underdogs doing amazing things. Australia has a wealth of inspiring, fearless and successful film titles, and Soshanna is often fierce as hell: [</Soshanna metaphor>]
Which brings us to today’s thrilling news: Screen Australia has just announced their first set of Enterprise Industry recipients, with none other than the Bondi Hipsters headlining the announcement. The ever erudite Van Vuuren Bros are one of ten teams receiving $3.2 million in funding, allowing an array of promising projects to come to life. The so-called demise of the Australian film industry starts and ends with a lack of funding and resources; it’s always a good news day when Screen Australia can help float more projects that will inevitably become stitched into our cultural fabric.
Bondi Hipsters: The Movie, a feature-length version of the brahs’ viral hit, will be supported by the Enterprise Industry funding, as well as a feature-length stage musical of their other creation, Kiwi Assassins. I repeat: a stage musical.
Co-creator Nick Boshier praised the funding, telling news.com.au: “It will allow us to do more of what we are already doing, but to do it full time. And to be able to work with more people we would love to work with.’’
Other projects supported by the new round of funding include a project from Robert Connelly, who will reportedly be expanding on the unique distribution model that was implemented for Screen Australia darling ‘The Turning’. Screen Australia will also boost funding to Freemantle Media in a move that will support the development of “four high-end drama concepts”. Did someone say ‘Strayan House of Cards?
Sah ahhhxcited to get me some of this:
Via Screen Australia.
