France-based multinational Studiocanal has launched Cultivator Films to facilitate local co-productions in Australia and will kick off with book-to-film adaptation “Kangaroo.”
“Kangaroo” is scripted by Harry Cripps (“The Dry,” “Penguin Bloom”) and directed by Kate Woods (“The Lincoln Lawyer,” “The Umbrella Academy,” “The Good Lord Bird,” “Looking for Alibrandi”). Eastern Arrernte emerging director Samantha Laughton is set as a director’s attachment.
Slated to start production in Alice Springs in the first half of 2024, “Kangaroo” is a Northern Territory-inspired story based on Chris Barnes, aka ‘Brolga,’ who is the founder of the Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs.
Cultivator Films Australia is led by Studiocanal’s Australia and New Zealand CEO Elizabeth Trotman. “Kangaroo” will be co-produced by Alice Springs- based Brindle Films (“MaveriX,” “Finke: There and Back”) in partnership with Sydney-based Bunya Productions (“Mystery Road,” “Sweet Country,” “High Ground”).
The film is produced by: Rachel Clements, Trisha Morton-Thomas for Brindle Films and David Jowsey, Greer Simpkin for Bunya Productions with executive producers Anna Marsh, Ron Halpern, Trotman, Marcus Gillezeau, Louise Smith and Marian Macgowan.
Studiocanal will release the film theatrically in Australia and New Zealand and is the sales agent for the film in the international market.
The Northern Territory state government is contributing A$1.2 million ($800,000) towards the production through Screen Territory’s Production Attraction Incentive Program (PAIP).
“Kangaroo” will also film in New South Wales. The NSW Government is supporting “Kangaroo” through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Fund.
Both state governments calculate that the film will deliver significant economic, employment and training benefits to their territories.
Projects that have been created, developed and filmed in the Northern Territory during the last three years include Netflix flagship series “Desert King,” Stan’s “Thou Shalt Not Steal” and Amazon Prime’s “Lost Flowers of Alice Hart,” in addition to “Barrumbi Kids,” “MaveriX” and “Wild Croc Territory.”
“Screen Territory is proud to support local stories for international audiences and the aligning of these incredible teams in Studiocanal, Brindle Films and Bunya Productions signifies the strong pull the Northen Territory’s unique locations and narratives have on producers and audiences,” said Director of Screen Territory, Jennie Hughes.
“ ‘Kangaroo’ is a testament to the positive outcomes of the PAIP, which continues to grow and develop film and television production in the Northern Territory. Sydney-based Bunya Productions and Alice Springs-based Brindle Films will join forces for the first time. They are both highly experienced producers and we cannot wait to see what this formidable partnership brings to the screen.”
