Epic WA documentary series ‘Shipwreck Hunters Australia’ set to premiere on Disney+
'Shipwreck Hunters Australia' from VAM Media, Terra Australis Productions and Barking Mad Productions is one of nine Australian originals set to premiere on Disney+.
Epic WA documentary series, Shipwreck Hunters Australia, was announced as one of nine Australian originals set to premiere on Disney+ at The Walt Disney Company ANZ Local Content Announcement event at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney today.
Shipwreck Hunters Australia is the first Australian documentary series commissioned by Disney+, with principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest and Lotterywest, and the Western Australian Screen Fund.
This premium 6-part documentary series will see a fearless ocean adventure team dive into one of the planet’s most spectacular and remote places, bringing to life epic shipwreck stories and discoveries from Australia’s Treasure Coast.
Filming took place off Western Australia’s vast coastline, the resting place for a predicted 1,600 shipwrecks. A unique team of highly skilled divers and underwater filmmakers – Captain Ash Sutton, Andre Rerekura, Nush Freedman, Johnny Debnam and Ryan Chatfield, along with expert maritime archaeologists from the Western Australian Museum – Dr Ross Anderson and Dr Deb Shefi, showcase thrilling discoveries and look to solve some iconic shipwreck mysteries. Combining new evidence, archival research and all out adventure, Shipwreck Hunters Australia is a fresh and vibrant journey into the mysterious past led by modern day ocean explorers.
“Being home to the first ever Australian documentary series commissioned by Disney+ is a real coup for Western Australia. Screenwest is incredibly proud to be supporting Shipwreck Hunters Australia and we look forward to partnering with Disney+ on many more WA projects as our screen sector continues to grow and flourish.” said Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO.
Director/Producer Brendan Hutchens (Testing Teachers, Drawn to Water, Mission Predator) of VAM Media teamed up with professional divers and underwater filmmakers from Terra Australis Productions to bring these long-lost shipwreck secrets and new discoveries to the screen. They are joined by series producer Katherine Barrett (Aussie Gold Hunters), and executive producer Steve Bibb of Barking Mad Productions. Director of Photography is Darren McCagh and Series Editors are Meredith Watson Jeffrey and Noah Norton.
“We wanted to create a documentary series that would be full of adventure, showcasing the incredible landscapes and ocean environments of Western Australia through the eyes and experiences of a very special group of salty characters. All of them are passionate about shipwrecks and the search for hidden secrets and lost stories. It’s a truly unique series we are very proud to present on Disney+, the perfect partner.” said Brendan Hutchens, Director/Producer, VAM Media.
Shipwreck Hunters Australia is set to premiere on Disney+ in the coming months, stay tuned for the premiere date.
Production credit: Shipwreck Hunters Australia is a VAM Media and Terra Australis Productions production in association with Barking Mad Productions for Disney+. Principal production investment from Screen Australia. Developed and produced with assistance from Screenwest and the State Government of Western Australia through the Royalties for Regions Program and the Western Australian Screen Fund. Supported by the Western Australian Museum.
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