Screen Australia backs 75 projects across film, television and short-form storytelling, including Phoebe Tonkin-led thriller The Dark Lakeand an adaptation of Behrouz Boochani’s acclaimed memoir.

Screen Australia has committed more than A$16.9 million ($10.9 million) in production and development funding to 75 narrative projects, backing a slate that includes the directorial debut of Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Toni Collette, the first feature from comedy group Sooshi Mango and a television adaptation of Sarah Bailey’s crime novel The Dark Lake.

The latest funding round spans feature films, television series and short films, supporting both emerging filmmakers and established Australian talent.

Among the headline projects is The Best Of, an adaptation of Graeme Simsion’s bestselling novel that marks Collette’s first feature as a director. Produced by Collette and Christopher Simon, the film follows two former flames who reunite after decades apart, confronting the emotional complications of rekindled feelings. Screen Australia is providing major production investment in association with Screen NSW. Kismet will distribute the film in Australia, with Cornerstone handling international sales.

Also receiving major production backing is The Dark Lake, a series adaptation of Bailey’s award-winning novel from Brouhaha Entertainment, the production company behind Boy Swallows Universe. Starring Phoebe Tonkin as a rural detective investigating the murder of a former high school classmate, the thriller follows her character as the case forces her to confront secrets from her own past. Becca Johnstone wrote the series and serves as executive producer, alongside producers Troy Lum and Andrew Mason and executive producers Giorgia Stawaruk, Tonkin and Katarina Mandic.

The funding slate also includes the untitled debut feature from Australian comedy trio Sooshi Mango, whose viral sketches have built a substantial following. The film follows three stubborn Italian immigrants who rally their multicultural community to save their beloved social club from a mysterious health and wellness business threatening its future. Nick Kozakis (Kick On) directs, with the screenplay written by Sooshi Mango members Joe Salanitri, Carlo Salanitri and Andrew Manfre alongside Declan Fay. Paul Dainty and Cathy Rodda produce, with Timothy Whiting as co-producer. Screen Australia is investing in the film in association with VicScreen, with Roadshow handling local distribution.

Another major production is Bull (working title), a feature inspired by the true story of an inmate at Tasmania’s toughest prison who joins a debating team in an attempt to turn his life around and make his mother proud. Directed by Jeffrey Walker (The Artful Dodger, Fing!), the film stars George Pullar, Richard Roxburgh, Robyn Malcolm, Teresa Palmer, Thomas M. Wright and Harrison Gilbertson. Infin8 Studios and Total Fiction Films are producing, with Screen Australia investing alongside Screen Queensland. Kismet will distribute the film locally, and Cornerstone will handle international sales.

Literary adaptations feature prominently across the slate. No Friend But the Mountains, based on Kurdish journalist Behrouz Boochani’s critically acclaimed memoir about his detention on Manus Island after fleeing persecution, will be directed by Rodd Rathjen, who co-wrote the screenplay with Boochani. The film follows Boochani’s experience of being intercepted at sea and sent to Manus Island, where he documents the psychological and physical toll of detention. The project has secured major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the New Zealand Film Commission, Screen Queensland and VicScreen. Madman will distribute the film in Australia.

Screen Australia is also supporting My Life as a 12-Year-Old Demon Hunter…With Great Hair!, a family short combining live action and animation. From Pasifika-led Mana Film Productions, the project follows 12-year-old Tala, whose life as a demon hunter brings challenges far more dangerous than schoolwork. Maria Lewis, the award-winning screenwriter and bestselling author, writes, directs and co-produces the film with Shonee Samia, with animation by Herbert Leota. The creative team will receive mentorship from filmmaker Kitty Green (The Royal Hotel) and animator Jake Duczynski (Magic Beach).

Green will also mentor the team behind Solastalgia, a short film from BAFTA-nominated writer-director Rosie Westhoff. The story follows a young girl attempting to piece together fragmented memories of the bushfire that destroyed her home as she searches for connection in a landscape permanently changed by the disaster.

The slate also includes development support for Desi Down Under, a romantic comedy reimagining of the Indian-Australian coming-of-age audio series created by Mithila Gupta. Written and produced by Gupta, with Nina Aujla, Smriti Mundhra and Maya Gnyp also producing, the feature follows three misfits travelling from Kerala to Coogee to learn surf lifesaving skills to help their countrymen.

On the television side, The Caretaker has received development funding. Created by Screen Australia Talent Gateway 2026 participants Alexei Mizin and Ryan van Dijk, the series adapts Gabriel Bergmoser’s bestselling thriller about a woman living in hiding as caretaker of an off-season ski resort, whose efforts to protect her new life drive her toward increasingly drastic measures.

“​​Australian storytellers continue to captivate audiences with their creativity, originality and distinctive perspectives,” said Louise Gough, Screen Australia’s director of narrative content. “This latest round of funding supports an exciting range of projects from emerging creatives forging new paths to established voices exploring new creative territory.”

Gough pointed to the findings of Screen Currency 2026, which highlighted the importance of local stories to Australian audiences, saying the funded projects would deliver the authenticity and ambition viewers expect while showcasing stories capable of resonating both domestically and internationally.

The full list of approved projects is available through Screen Australia’s production, development and short film funding announcements. Further details on recently funded projects are expected to be revealed alongside the ABC Media Showcase on Oct. 21.