Photo by Alex Kydd

Recipient of the Fast Pitch: Matched Development Initiative Announced!

Screenwest and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Content Group (UPHE Content Group) have partnered to offer an exclusive opportunity for a Western Australian production company to secure a development and a first-look option deal with UPHE Content Group.

The organisations are excited to announce Cottesloe Films is the recipient of this amazing development opportunity for the remarkable new project WHALE SHARK JACK. The project will be brought to life by writer, Kathryn Lefroy and sister-brother directing team, Miranda Edmonds and Khrob Edmonds.

With an exceptionally competitive field of applicants, the heart-warming story of friendship and family, set in the picturesque location of Ningaloo Reef, impressed the panel. Cottesloe Films will receive matched support from Screenwest and UPHE Content Group to develop the script for this live-action family film, centred around our relationship with the natural world. UPHE Content Group will work with Cottesloe films to provide market-based development on the script.

“We are thrilled to be able to work with UPHE Content Group on this exciting new initiative and see how WHALE SHARK JACK develops. It’s a project which captures a stunning, and unique part of Western Australia and has the potential to become a family favourite,” said Matthew Horrocks, Head of Screen Investment and Strategic Projects at Screenwest.

“WHALE SHARK JACK will showcase the powerful landscape of the north-west and the natural wonder of the whale shark on the big screen, all through the eyes of our gutsy and adventurous young heroine.  We are excited to have both UPHE Content Group and Screenwest working with us this early in the process,” explained Miranda and Khrob of Cottesloe Films.

The aim of the Fast Pitch: Matched Development Initiative is to provide market-based development so that once the script is ready, it has the best opportunity to fast-track into financing and production.

About WHALE SHARK JACK

• Production Company: Cottesloe Films
• Story by: Miranda Edmonds and Kathryn Lefroy
• Written by: Kathryn Lefroy
• Directors: Miranda Edmonds and Khrob Edmonds

Synopsis:

When Sarah’s favourite whale shark, Jack, fails to return to Ningaloo Reef for the summer, Sarah must do everything in her power to find him.

About UPHE Content Group

Headquartered in London, UPHE Content Group is a repertoire centre of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, acquiring and producing multi-genre entertainment for distribution across theatrical, home entertainment, television and digital platforms on a worldwide basis.

UPHE Content Group is part of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, a unit of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (UFEG). UFEG produces, acquires, markets and distributes filmed entertainment worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television and other distribution platforms, as well as consumer products, interactive gaming and live entertainment. The global division includes Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, Universal Brand Development, Fandango and DreamWorks Animation Film and Television.

UFEG is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience.  NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Contact Screenwest

T: +61 8 6169 2100
E: info@screenwest.com.au

www.screenwest.com.au
www.filminwesternaustralia.com.au

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