Tony Collett's first directing effort, "The Best", is among 75 projects backed by Screen Australia

Tony Collett will make his feature directorial debut with *The Best Ones*, the bestselling adaptation of Graeme Simsion's novel. The film is one of 75 projects that received more than AUD 16.9 million (USD 11.7 million) in production and development funding from Screen Australia. Collett, an Emmy and Golden Globe winner, will co-produce alongside Christopher Simon. The story centers […]

Tony Collett will make his feature directorial debut with The Best, the screen version of Graeme Simson's best-selling novel, which is one of 75 projects to share more than AUD 16.9 million ($11.7 million) in Screen Australia production and development money.

Collette, an Emmy and Golden Globe winner, is producing alongside Christopher Simon. The story is about two ex-lovers who return to each other's lives after spending decades apart, only to discover old feelings with messy and mixed results. Screen Australia made a major production investment in association with Screen NSW. Kismet handles local distribution and Cornerstone handles international sales. RELATED STORIES NAZA producer James Wilson says Israeli government's response to Gaza documentary has been "terrible and scary," but directors are 'safe and well' Sofia Coppola on screening 'Made by Marie Antoinette' as tribute to late mother Eleanor, even as 'She Sees You' sees 'Through My Mother's Eyes'

The round, announced on Tuesday, covers features, series and short films. Popular in Variety

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 breaking new ground to established voices exploring new creative territory. Screen Australia's Head of Narrative Content Louise Gough said: "The projects deliver the credibility and ambition that audiences have come to expect.

Brouhaha Entertainment, the production company behind Boy Swallows Universe, is developing Dark Lake, a series based on the award-winning novel by Sarah Bailey. Tonkin plays a detective in a rural town whose investigation into the murder of a former high school classmate forces him to confront his own buried secrets. Produced by Troy Lum and Andrew Mason, with Becca Johnston writing and executive producing. Georgia Stavarok, Tonkin and Katarina Mandic are also executive producers. Screenwest partners in major production investment, with additional funding from Screen NSW.

Jeffrey Walker ("The Artful Dodger," "Fing!") directs "Bull" (working title), a film from Infin8 Studios and Total Fiction Films. Based on a true story, the film follows a well-spoken inmate who signs up for a debating team in Tasmania's toughest prison, hoping to change his ways and finally give his mother something to be proud of. George Pollar stars, writes with Taylor Dunworth, and is produced by Michael Lawrence, John Molloy and Susan Walker. Richard Roxburgh, Robin Malcolm, Theresa Palmer, Thomas M. Wright and Harrison Gilbertson are other actors in this film. Screen Queensland distributes locally with Kismet and Cornerstone handles international sales.

Stavlin's untitled Sushi Mango follows three tough Italian immigrants who mobilize their multicultural neighborhood when a mysterious health club threatens their beloved social club. Nick Kozakis ("Kick On") directs from a screenplay by Joe Salanitri, Carlo Salanitri and Andrew Manfre with Declan Fay. Paul Dinetti and Kathy Ruda are producing, with Timothy Whiting serving as co-producer. VicScreen partners, and Roadshow has local distribution.

Rod Rutgen directs No Friendship But Mountains, based on Behrouz Buchani's acclaimed memoir, based on a screenplay he co-wrote with Buchani. Fleeing persecution, the journalist is intercepted at sea and sent to Manus Island, where he documents the gradual conflict of the men held there. Gal Greenspan, Charlene George, Amy Perry, Arcos Armont, Katie Roberts, Buchani and Anthony Waddington are producing. The New Zealand Film Commission, Screen Queensland and VicScreen are partners and Madman distributes in Australia.

In development, Mithila Gupta's Desi Down Under turns her Indo-Australian soundtrack into a romantic comedy about three misfits who move from Kerala to Coogee Beach, where they hope to use their surf-saving skills to help their fellow countrymen. Gupta writes and produces with Nina Aujla, Smriti Mundhra and Maya Gnyp.

Post Pictures' Goll series The Janitor, an adaptation of Gabriel Bergmoser's best-selling novel by Alexey Meizin and Ryan Van Dyck, both members of Screen Australia's 2026 Talent Gateway, also received development support. The exciting story is about a woman who goes undercover as a janitor at a ski resort in the off-season and will do anything to save her life.

Among the short films, BAFTA nominee Rosie Westoff ("The Original") writes and directs "Solastalgia," in which a young girl tries to piece together the scattered memories of a fire that destroyed her home while searching for connection in a transformed place. Chloe Brennan (“We Used to Own the House”), Amanda Brown and Ashley Russell (both “Mothmama”) serve as producers, and Katie Green (“The Royal Hotel”) serves as coach.

Green also coaches the team behind a family short film from Mana Film Productions led by Pacifica that combines live action and animation, "My Life as a 12-Year-Old Devil Hunter... With Great Hair!" The film follows 12-year-old Tala over the course of a day as she battles demons to steal her powers - a bigger headache than her homework. AWGIE winner and bestselling author Maria Lewis writes, directs and co-produces, with Shonee Samia and Herbert Leota animating. Animator Jake Duczynski ("The Magic Beach") joins Green as a coach. Both short films received major production funding.

The full list of short film production, development and approval is on the Screen Australia website. The agency will reveal the newly funded projects on the sidelines of the BC Media Expo on October 21.