Screenwest Announces Production Funding For Jub Clerc’s Debut Feature Film Sweet As
Screenwest Announces Production Funding For Jub Clerc’s Debut Feature Film Sweet As...
Screenwest Announces Production Funding For Jub Clerc’s Debut Feature Film Sweet As
Screenwest is pleased to announce feature film Sweet As will be produced in WA by Arenamedia, with major production funding from Screen Australia, and will receive support through the Western Australian Regional Film Fund.
Inspired by Clerc’s own experiences growing up in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of Western Australia, Sweet As is co-written by Steve Rodgers, and will be produced by Arenamedia’s Liz Kearney (Paper Planes) and executive produced by Robert Connolly (The Dry).
The coming-of-age story will showcase locations within Western Australia’s Pilbara region and will commence production in 2021. Once completed, the film is set to be distributed nationally through CinemaPlus with international sales by LevelK.
Sweet As was originally the recipient of Screenwest’s coveted West Coast Visions program grant in 2018, which is supported by Lotterywest, and provided writer/director Jub Clerc the opportunity to develop the feature film.
Clerc said, “I am so excited to be given the opportunity to tell this story. As a Nyul Nyul/Yawuru woman from the Kimberley my liyan is bursting. I am so humbled to pay homage to the Pilbara region where I grew up and to the people who raised me. I hope I do them all proud.”
Screenwest CEO Wille Rowe said, “Screenwest is incredibly proud to be part of this amazing project which film in WA’s unique Pilbara region in 2021. Jub is an exceptional Western Australian talent, and with the producing prowess of the brilliant Liz and Robert from Arenamedia, Sweet As is sure to be a truly special film that will be celebrated for years to come.”
Head of Indigenous at Screen Australia, Penny Smallacombe, said, “Jub Clerc is an exciting talent, and we are thrilled to support her as she embarks on the next step in her career. We are also excited that this story is told from the point of view of a young Aboriginal teenager, a perspective we don’t see enough of on screen. Coupled with the amazing back drop of the Pilbara, Sweet As will be a film that adds volumes to the Indigenous Australian film canon.”
Sweet As adds to a growing slate of drama production to take place in Western Australia within the next twelve months, which will drive economic, cultural and social benefit to the wider Western Australian Community.
Production Credit
Major production investment from Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department, Sweet As has also received funding from Screenwest and Lotterywest and the Western Australian Regional Film Fund and is financed with support from Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) Premiere Fund and Film Victoria
About Jub Clerc
Clerc is a Nyul Nyul/Yawuru woman from the Kimberley regions of Western Australia. After graduating from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) 3 year acting course, Clerc performed for numerous theatre companies before moving to film and TV, including working on:
- Mad Bastards
- Satellite Boy
- Jasper Jones and
- Mystery Road Season 1.
Clerc has directed numerous Indigenous Community Stories and has written and directed many short films and short documentaries including Storytime, Min Min Light and Abbreviation (from Tim Winton’s The Turning).
In 2019 Jub directed two episodes on The Heights season 2 with Matchbox and For Pete’s Sake Productions for the ABC. Sweet As will be her debut feature.
About Arenamedia
Arenamedia is a powerhouse of Australian production and talent. The company produces bold, innovative screen content that is compelling, thought-provoking and socially conscious. Its productions inspire, entertain and connect with audiences around the world. Bringing together a team of leading Australian screen producers, and helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Robert Connolly, Arenamedia has been creating award-winning feature films, documentaries and television content for over 20 years.
Working consistently with Australia’s greatest filmmakers, Arenamedia is also renowned for its support and mentorship of emerging screen creatives across all sectors of the industry.