Elise Archer,Minister for the Arts
The Tasmanian Government is a strong supporter of the State's cultural and creative industries.
As part of our $3.5 million Cultural and Creative Industries Stimulus Package as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have delivered $250,000 of new funding to assist screen practitioners develop new screen projects through Screen Tasmania.
This program provides a much-needed economic injection into the industry, which has been heavily impacted by a global shutdown of screen productions.
The adaptation of an award-winning Tasmanian novel and the prequel of one of Australia's most successful television series are among the 13 successful projects to benefit from the Tasmanian Government's Additional Screen Development Round.
Flames, written by Tasmanian author Robbie Arnott (winner of the 2019 Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Novelest and Premier's Literary Prizes' Margaret Scott Prize), will be developed into a six-part television series thanks to $20,000 in funding.
To be produced by Jungle Entertainment (A Moody Christmas, No Activity, Bad Mothers), Flames is a unique tale of love, grief and family, tracing a journey across Tasmania, with Arnott to work as a consultant on the series.
Acclaimed Tasmanian producer and writer Posie Graeme Evans, alongside a high-calibre creative team, has also received $20,000 to develop an exciting feature drama spin-off of McLeods Daughters.
As the creator of the original series, Posie Graeme-Evans will revisit and explore new stories of her beloved characters in McLeods of Drovers Run.
Although the impacts of COVID-19 have been felt by our creative industries, the pandemic has also lead to a period of intensive development for many Tasmanian screen makers. We are delighted to support many of them through our funding programs, creating opportunities and securing jobs.
The project teams will be ready to seek production finance and for cameras to roll as restrictions continue to lift.
For a full list of the successful applicants in the Additional Screen Development Round, go to www.screen.tas.gov.au
