Screen Australia funds Toni Collette’s directing debut, Sooshi Mango’s first film and The Dark Lake – Screen Australia has announced more than $16.9 million in production and development funding for 75 Narrative Content projects across feature film, series and short film.
In turn, the agency said the latest funding supports a broad slate that reflects the creative ambition and distinctive voices of Australia’s screen storytellers.
The announcement follows Screen Australia’s recent backing of 47 documentary projects, which TV Central reported earlier this month. Among the new projects are The Best Of, the feature directorial debut of Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Toni Collette, and a debut feature from viral Australian comedy group Sooshi Mango. The slate also includes The Dark Lake, a series adaptation from Brouhaha Entertainment, and the family short film My Life As A 12-Year-Old Demon Hunter…With Great Hair!
Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said the round covers both emerging and established creatives.
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 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.
Louise Gough, Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content
The Best Of: Toni Collette’s directorial debut
The Best Of is an adaptation of Graeme Simsion’s bestselling novel and marks 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. It explores the unexpected sorrow, chaos and bliss when old feelings resurface.
Meanwhile, the film has major production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Screen NSW. Kismet handles local distribution and Cornerstone handles international sales.
The Dark Lake stars Phoebe Tonkin
The Dark Lake is a series adaptation of Sarah Bailey’s award-winning novel from Brouhaha Entertainment (Boy Swallows Universe). Phoebe Tonkin stars as a rural town detective who must confront dark secrets from her past when she investigates the murder of her former high school classmate.
Troy Lum and Andrew Mason produce the series, while Becca Johnstone writes and executive produces it. Giorgia Stawaruk, Phoebe Tonkin and Katarina Mandic are executive producers. Screen Australia provides major production investment in association with Screenwest, with further support from Screen NSW.
Sooshi Mango’s debut feature
Meanwhile, the untitled Sooshi Mango project follows three stubborn Italian immigrants who rally their multicultural community to save their beloved social club. A mysterious health and wellness club threatens its future.
Elsewhere, the film is from award-winning director Nick Kozakis (Kick On). Paul Dainty and Cathy Rodda produce the film with co-producer Timothy Whiting. Sooshi Mango’s Joe Salanitri, Carlo Salanitri and Andrew Manfre write it with Declan Fay. Screen Australia provides major production investment in association with VicScreen, and Roadshow handles local distribution.
Bull and No Friend But The Mountains
Bull (working title) is a feature film from Infin8 Studios and Total Fiction Films. It is produced by Michael Lawrence, John Molloy, Suzanne Walker and George Pullar, who is also a writer alongside Taylor Danworth. Jeffrey Walker (The Artful Dodger, Fing!) directs.
George Pullar, Richard Roxburgh, Robyn Malcolm, Teresa Palmer, Thomas M Wright and Harrison Gilbertson star. The film draws on the true story of a fast-talking inmate who joins a debating team inside Tasmania’s toughest prison. He does so in a desperate bid to turn his life around and, for once, make his mother proud.
Bull has major production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Screen Queensland. Kismet handles local distribution and Cornerstone handles international sales.
No Friend But The Mountains
No Friend But The Mountains adapts Behrouz Boochani’s critically acclaimed memoir. Rodd Rathjen and Boochani write the feature, which Rathjen directs. Gal Greenspan, Sharlene George, Amy Parry, Arkos Armont, Katy Roberts, Boochani and Antony Waddington produce it.
Boochani flees persecution as a Kurdish journalist, but authorities intercept him at sea and send him to Manus Island. Inside, he refuses to fade, recording the slow unmaking of men. The film has major production investment from Screen Australia, in association with New Zealand Film Commission, Screen Queensland and VicScreen. Madman handles local distribution.
Short films and projects in development
Meanwhile, Solastalgia is a short film from BAFTA-nominated writer-director Rosie Westhoff (The Main Part). The producers are Chloe Brennan (We Used to Own Houses), Amanda Browne (Mothmama) and Ashlee Russell (Mothmama). In the film, a young girl pieces together the fractured memories of a bushfire that destroyed her home and searches for connection in a place forever changed. Award-winning Australian filmmaker Kitty Green (The Royal Hotel) mentors the team, with principal production funding from Screen Australia.
My Life As A 12-Year-Old Demon Hunter…With Great Hair!
My Life As A 12-Year-Old Demon Hunter…With Great Hair! blends live action and animation. The family short film from Pasifika-led company Mana Film Productions follows a day in the life of Tala, a 12-year-old demon hunter. Her biggest challenge isn’t schoolwork, but the demons trying to steal her power.
AWGIE award-winning screenwriter and best-selling author Maria Lewis writes, directs and co-produces the film with Shonee Samia. Herbert Leota provides the animation. Kitty Green and animator Jake Duczynski (Magic Beach) will mentor the team, with principal production funding from Screen Australia.
In development, Desi Down Under is a feature film reimagining of the coming-of-age Indian-Australian audio series of the same name, created and written by Mithila Gupta. Gupta writes and produces 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. The project received development funding.
The Caretaker is from Goalpost Pictures and was created by Screen Australia Talent Gateway 2026 participants Alexei Mizin and Ryan van Dijk. The series is an adaptation of Gabriel Bergmoser’s best-selling novel. The thriller follows a woman living in hiding as a caretaker of an off-season ski resort, who is driven to increasingly drastic lengths to protect her new life. Screen Australia also gave the project development funding.
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The full list of Narrative Content funding approvals is available on the Screen Australia website. Further information about recently funded projects will be announced in conjunction with the ABC Media Showcase on 21 October.
For more TV Central Screen Australia news, head here. For the full announcement, visit Screen Australia.