Screenwest and Screen Australia are pleased to announce that Screen Australia has pre-committed up to $500,000 equity into West Coast Visions, Screenwest's screen industry development initiative that provides production funding for low budget features that are to be produced in Western Australia.
The ongoing pre-commitment will be applied to West Coast Visions supported projects going forward – including West Coast Visions 2023, which is currently open for applications.
West Coast Visions is designed to uncover, inspire and develop talented and motivated writer/director/producer teams with distinctive visions, assisting them to fulfill their professional potential.
Western Australian projects and creatives supported through West Coast Visions have been making waves of late. The 2021 recipients, writer/director David Vincent Smith and producer Jess Parker, wrapped filming in February on their drama He Ain't Heavy, starring Leila George, Sam Corlett and Greta Scacchi. Writer/director Zoe Pepper's debut feature film Birthright, to be produced by Cody Greenwood, was announced last year as the 2022 West Coast Visions recipient.
Recent West Coast Visions releases include Renée Webster's hit comedy-drama How to Please a Woman, currently available to stream on Stan; and Jub Clerc's debut coming-of-age feature Sweet As, which is set to hit Australian cinemas this year and recently won the prestigious Crystal Bear in the Generation Kplus category at the 2023 Berlin International Film Festival.
"The high-quality storytelling coming out of the Western Australian film industry is impressive, with many creatives proving their ability to connect with audiences around the world. We're thrilled to support this initiative that has proved a powerful launchpad for emerging filmmakers and I look forward to seeing the next team bring to life a distinct Australian story on screen," said Graeme Mason, Screen Australia CEO.
"Over the last decade we've seen our West Coast Visions initiative launch the careers of many incredible WA filmmakers and provide a training ground and launchpad for both creatives and crew. We thank Screen Australia for their commitment to the growth of the WA industry and for helping us uncover and support new local talent," said Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO.
Screen Australia recently announced production support for upcoming Western Australian feature films Whale Shark Jack and Drone Racers, with both films set to commence production later this year.
