Australian projects selected to screen at Toronto International Film Festival
Six Australian projects have been selected for the 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which will be held from 5-15 September.
Thou Shalt Not Steal
TIFF is one of the most important and prestigious film festivals in the world, providing a platform for Australian filmmakers and creatives into the North American marketplace.
Screen Australia is also supporting six practitioners to travel to Toronto for an Australian / Canadian Co-Production Day held in partnership between Screen Australia and Ontario Creates. This will take place on 6 September 2024 to coincide with TIFF and provide an opportunity for Australian producers to meet with their Canadian equivalents, to encourage early-stage creative connections and foster meaningful partnerships and relationships for official co-productions made under the Australia-Canada treaty.
The six practitioners include:
- Sally Aitken (SAM Content)
- Kristina Ceyton (Causeway Films)
- Alan Erson (WildBear Entertainment)
- Duy Huynh (Beyondedge)
- Simon Nasht (Smith & Nasht)
- MahVeen Shahraki (Thousand Mile Productions)
The Australian projects selected to screen at TIFF include:
Addition
World Premiere in Centrepiece section
Made Up Stories Pty Ltd and Buon Giorno Productions Pty Ltd
Director: Marcelle Lunam
Writer: Becca Johnstone
Producers: Cristina Pozzan, Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky, Jodi Matterson, Jeanne Snow
Executive Producers: Ricci Swart, Meryl Metni, Deanne Weir, Olivia Humphrey, Frank Cox, Monica Saunders-Weinberg, Joel Pearlman, Edwina Waddy
Cast: Teresa Palmer, Joe Dempsie, Eamon Farren, Sarah Peirse, Adrienne Pickering, Zahra Newman, Lou Baxter
Australian Distributor: Roadshow Films
International Sales: WME
Synopsis: A romantic dramedy about accepting who you are and celebrating the things in life that really count. Based on the novel by Toni Jordan.
Media Contact: Nixco [email protected]
Better Man
Canadian Premiere in Gala Presentations
Director: Michael Gracey
Writers: Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole, Michael Gracey
Producers: Paul Currie, Michael Gracey, Coco Xiaolu Ma, Craig McMahon, Jules Daly
Executive Producers: Zhe Chen, Robbie Williams, Markus Barmettler, Philip Lee
Cast: Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, Damon Herriman, Kate Mulvany, Raechelle Banno
Australian Distributor: Roadshow Films
International Sales: Rocket Science
Logline: From cheeky teen idol to redeemed British hero, Better Man follows Robbie Williams’ meteoric rise, fall and extraordinary return as he journeys to his record-breaking Knebworth concert - the biggest music event in British history.
Media contact: Stefan Sgarioto [email protected]
Went Up the Hill
World Premiere in Special Presentations
Causeway Creations Pty Ltd
Director: Samuel Van Grinsven
Writers: Samuel Van Grinsven, Jory Anast
Producers: Samantha Jennings, Kristina Ceyton, Vicky Pope
Cast: Dacre Montgomery, Vicky Krieps
Australian Distributor: Vendetta Films
International Sales: Bankside Films
Synopsis: Jack ventures to remote New Zealand for the funeral of his estranged mother and meets her grieving widow, Jill. But his search for answers becomes dangerous when his mother’s ghost returns to inhabit them, instigating a life-threatening nocturnal dance.
The Deb
World Premiere in Gala Presentations – Closing Night Film
Camp Sugar, Unigram, AI Film, Bunya Productions
Director: Rebel Wilson
Screenplay: Hannah Reilly
Additional Writing: Rebel Wilson
Producers: Rebel Wilson, Gregor Cameron, Amanda Ghost, Greer Simpkin, David Jowsey
Executive Producers: Len Blavatnik, Vince Holden, Meg Washington, Kevin Whyte
Music: Meg Washington
Original Score: Michael Yezerski
Cast: Rebel Wilson, Shane Jacobson, Tara Morice, Natalie Abbott, Charlotte MacInnes, Julian McMahon, Hal Cumpston, Stevie Jean, Costa d'Angelo, Steph Tisdell, Scarlett Crabtree, Susan Prior
International Sales: WME Independent
Synopsis: Rebel Wilson’s directorial debut is a bold, outrageous, and funny Australian musical about two very different teenage cousins who initially clash but eventually join forces to make their mark on their town’s annual debutante ball.
The Wolves Always Come at Night
World Premiere in the Platform Competition
Over Here Productions, Guru Media, Chromosom Film
Director: Gabrielle Brady
Writers: Davaasuren Dagvasuren, Otgonzaya Dashzeveg, Gabrielle Brady
Producers: Julia Niethammer, Ariunaa Tserenpil, Rita Walsh
Australian Distributor: Madman Entertainment
International Sales: Cinephil
Executive Producers: Deanne Weir, Alexander Wadouh, Stefanie Plattner, Emma Hindley, Dan Cogan
Synopsis: After a devastating storm wrought by climate change forces them from their home in the Mongolian countryside, young nomadic couple Daava and Zaya are forced to adapt to a new way of life in this hybrid documentary film.
Media Contacts: Australia: Olivia McIvor [email protected], International: Kathleen McInnis [email protected]
Thou Shalt Not Steal
World Premiere in the Primetime section
Ludo Studio & Since1788
Director: Dylan River
Writers: Dylan River, Tanith Glynn-Maloney, Samuel Paynter, Sophie Miller, Benedict Paxton-Crick
Producer: Sam Moor
Co-Producer: Lauren Brown
Executive Producers: Charlie Aspinwall, Daley Pearson, Tanith Glynn-Maloney, Sophie Miller
Cast: Noah Taylor, Miranda Otto, Will McDonald and Sherry-Lee Watson, Will McDonald, Natasha Wanganeen, Warren H. Williams, William McKenna, Darren Gilshenan, Shari Sebbens, Kelly Butler, Anni Finsterer, Andy Golledge, Eddie Baroo, Andy McPhee, Chloe Brink, Damian Walshe-Howling, Fletcher Humphrys, Geoff Morrell, Justin Rosniak, Emily Taheny, Bonnie Sveen.
International Sales: DCD Rights
Synopsis: Thou Shalt Not Steal is an eight-episode road series set in Central and South Australia in the 1980s. On a search for the truth behind a mysterious family secret, Robyn, a young Aboriginal delinquent, escapes from detention and reluctantly teams up with awkward teenager Gidge. Together they flee her small central desert community on a perilous journey across the outback, finding answers and learning some hard life lessons along the way. Hot on their heels are Maxine, a sex trafficker whose taxi Robyn stole, and Gidge’s domineering father Robert, a fraudulent preacher.
Media contact: Kellie Adcock [email protected]