Written by David Lewis on Aug 20, 2008. Posted in Production News

Screen Australia approves 25 projects for production

Screen Australia's board met in Brisbane on August 18 and approved a range of projects in all major areas of production.

In total 25 projects were approved for funding during August, with a production value of USD86 million. This includes four feature films, one adult television drama, four children's dramas, 13 documentaries (four of which are series), one commissioned production and two projects from Screen Australia's Indigenous Branch.

Following a decision by the board, projects requiring funding up to USD1 million can be approved by the Chief Executive Officer of Screen Australia, outside the timetable of board meetings.

"The projects approved in the past month, including those at this board meeting, show the vast range of creativity and ideas the industry has put forward to us", said interim CEO Lyn Maddock.

"We are setting in place a framework we believe will streamline the process of funding projects for the industry while also focussing on the development and marketing sides of the business".
Feature films approved for finance will see two highly experienced directors, Nadia Tass and Simon Wincer, heading into production along with Dean Murphy as well as first-time feature director Brendan Fletcher.