One On One With Award-Winning Actor & Filmmaker Maria Tran

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Maria Tran is an award-winning US-based, Vietnamese-Australian actor, filmmaker, and martial artist working across film & TV, stage & performance, and fight action choreography. She is the founder of female-led Phoenix Eye Films (In the US and Australia).

Her international film credits include “Fist of the Dragon,” “Death Mist,” and “Tracer/Truy Sat.” In 2013, she won the Breakout Female Performer award at the International Action on Film Festival, and in 2016, she was awarded Female Action Performer of the Year at MartialCon. She is also the director and producer of “Hit Girls,” a female-led action comedy. In Australia, she has appeared on several TV shows, including “My Place,” “Maximum Choppage,” “Street Smart” and “Fat Pizza.”

Maria has also worked as a stunt performer in movies such as Jackie Chan’s “Bleeding Steel” and “MEG” in New Zealand. In 2022, five months after moving to the United States, she landed her breakthrough role as Madame Tien on the 10-episode crime drama Paramount series “Last King of the Cross” starring Tim Roth.

Maria has also been involved in stage productions, including as a fight director and performer for Bell Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” and her own theater production “Action Star,” which premiered at the OzAsia Festival in Adelaide in 2022. She has received the prestigious $50,000 Create NSW Western Sydney Arts Fellowship award and established Phoenix Eye Films, a female-led film and art collective based in Western Sydney.

Maria is also known for her documentary filmmaking work, including “Once Upon a Time in Cabramatta” and “My Mother, The Action Star,” which won the award for Best Film at the WIFT-V Fest Film Festival. Occasionally, she works as an action fight director for films such as “Ayotti” and “Terror Zone.” Her feature action thriller ‘Echo 8’; Australia’s first female-led action movie, has currently won several awards, including the Tokyo Film Awards for Best Film, Winner for Best Feature Film – Women’s Film at the World Carnival-Singapore Film Festival and will be scheduled for a screening at the Art Gallery of NSW this year. Maria is a trailblazer known for her community, cultural, and development practices in the film, TV, and entertainment industry.

FilmCentral Magazine recently caught up with Maria to discuss her journey in the film industry, and here’s what went down:

Can you tell us more about yourself?

I’m a triple threat; an award-winning actor, producer, and director working across film & TV, stage & performance, & fight action choreography. I’m the founder of female-led Phoenix Eye Films (AUS & US) and co-facilitator of Acting for Mindfulness (AFM).

How did you get started in the entertainment industry?

I started on an independent Kung Fu comedy titled “Maximum Choppage” around 20 years ago while studying for a Bachelor of Psychology. I would dabble in a range of creative arts projects that put me both in front and behind the camera, and my transition into my first job was as a Youth Digital Cultures Coordinator and Information & Cultural Exchange (ICE), where I led the development and implementation of screen cultures across Western Sydney’s culturally diverse.

What do you like most about acting?

Acting is a tool of empowerment for the individual self as we strive to explore our body, voice, and imagination. I’m very fascinated by human psychology, the choices people from diverse walks of life make, and the opportunity to embark on the creative process of developing a character, bringing it to life on stage or screen and exploring new stories and worlds. It is also a form of self-expression, a way to communicate emotions, ideas, and perspectives to people around us. As an actor, I can bring joy and entertainment to others. On stage and screen, I love the challenge and reward of taking on new characters and taking them on a journey that impacts the audiences that view them.

How different is it to act in a movie and to act in a TV series? And which one do you prefer?

Both movies and TV series offer unique and rewarding experiences for actors. The choice between the two depends on the project; the role offered, and the actor’s personal preferences and goals. Movies tend to have shorter and more intense shooting schedules that are more immersive, and I get a chance to really dive into their characters and the story. TV series, on the other hand, often have a more extended production schedule and a more serialized format. This allows for deeper character development and more opportunities for actors to explore different aspects of their characters over time.

What are your weak points when it comes to acting? How do you try to improve them?

My conventional trajectory as an actor originated in creating my independent films over the past 15 years. It has its benefits of wearing multiple hats of director, producer, fight action choreography, etc. however, when I transition into mainstream films and television, I tend to be hyperaware of the film production set. Sometimes I enjoy immersing myself and appreciating the other roles that make a film set seamless that I forget that I should only be fulfilling the role as a performer. Also, because I’ve had no formal training and am self-taught, I find it challenging to explain how I get into character, and other actors might find me professionally unrelatable. Ways that I’ve tried to improve this to reverse engineer the field of acting practices, study different techniques, and merge acting into psychology, philosophy, and neuroscience. Ultimately, the key to improving as an actor is a combination of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn and grow continuously. Actors who are open to feedback, willing to take risks, and committed to their craft often make the greatest progress and achieve the most success.

What are your strong points as an actor?

Authenticity, depth, and nuance to performances and creating a connection with the audience. I thrive on connecting with my characters on a deep emotional level. Years of training in martial arts and movement have allowed me the physicality, being able to use my body to bring the characters to life. Having a vivid imagination and strong collaboration skills is, perhaps, my biggest asset as an actor. I don’t believe in minor roles. Every role an actor breathes life into is a chance for audiences to be moved by something new.

What have you learned from the directors that you have worked with throughout your career?

I’ve worked with many amazing directors, including Antony Szeto (‘Fist of the Dragon,’ ‘Death Mist’), Jane Eakin (‘Street Smart’), Karen Therese (‘Action Star’), Kieran Darcy Smith (‘Last King of the Cross’), Adrian Castro (‘Tiger Cops’) and I have also turned into one myself, and I’ve learned that they have varied styles, but all have a clear vision. They know how and what scenes look, sound, and feel. I’ve learned to be able to interpret this for my own performances. Directors offer character insight, motivations, and relationships with other characters. technical aspects of filmmaking, such as lighting, sound, camera angles, and editing. Directing is a collaborative process, and directors work closely with actors, writers, and other members of the production team to bring their vision to life

What are some of the difficulties of the acting business?

Many actors compete for a limited number of roles, and the competition can be intense. Actors may face a lot of rejection before finding success. Actors need to have thick skin and handle disappointment and setbacks. You may also face stereotypes and typecast based on your looks, accent, or previous roles. Internal challenges include facing insecurities and self-doubt, as the craft is a personal and vulnerable process. In addition, acting is a volatile and unpredictable career with the instability of constantly moving from one project to another, which can be frustrating to someone who can’t handle the constant change.

What’s challenging about bringing a script to life?

The production process can take anywhere from a few months to a year or more for a small, low-budget film. This can include pre-production activities such as writing the script, securing funding, casting actors, and scouting locations, as well as production activities such as filming and post-production activities such as editing and sound design. Making an independent film is often a long and challenging process that requires patience, persistence, and a deep passion for filmmaking.

What do you do when you’re not filming?

I stay relatively busy maintaining my creative skills such as self-study, networking, self-care, getting involved in other people’s projects, and travelling between my two residencies, Australia and the United States. Going on road trips with my husband/ creative partner is something I look forward to in my downtime and spending time with my family.

What has been the most memorable experience of your career so far?

I’ve had an incredible unconventional journey so far as a performer and filmmaker. I’ve been able to work with the impressive Jackie Chan on “Bleeding Steel” and can world premiere my theatre production “Action Star” at the OzAsia Festival. A defining moment is completing Australia’s first female-led independent action movie, “Echo 8,” on such a tight budget. And now, moving to the United States and landing a major role in the upcoming series “Last King of the Cross” has been an enormous accomplishment.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

Jackie Chan, Nancy Valentine Smith, and Tim Roth.

What are your future plans? Inside your career or out of it.

I see the rest of my career trajectory as becoming the next generation of low-budget independent filmmaker ‘slashies’ that will garner the attention of the mainstream. Eventually, I’ll be able to sustain myself in the industry through the creative endeavours I choose. Since the release of ‘Echo 8’ and its positive reception, I’m currently working with screenwriter Elizabeth H. Vu in penning together the next two movie cinematic universe installments of ‘ Echo 8 Beyond’ and ‘Five By Five’ to be shot back-to-back in 2025. I aim to build a strong reputation around this, the female action forte that will make me and my film colleagues stand out internationally. I also hope to diversify my range of projects in different genres and styles to showcase my versatility, collaborate with filmmakers in the United States, build networks, gain new skills and experiences, and adapt to new technologies and market trends.

The Trailer For “Rye Lane” Starring Vivian Oparah & David Jonsson Has Just Dropped

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The trailer and teaser artwork for Searchlight Picture’s Sundance hit “Rye Lane” are available now. The film will be launching exclusively on Disney+ in Australia on 31 March, 2023.From director Raine Allen-Miller, “Rye Lane” is a romantic comedy that stars David Jonsson (“Industry,” “Deep State”) and Vivian Oparah (“Class,” “The Rebel”), as Dom and Yas, two twenty-somethings both reeling from bad break-ups, who connect over the course of an eventful day in South London – helping each other deal with their nightmare exes, and potentially restoring their faith in romance.Searchlight Pictures, BBC Film, and BFI present “Rye Lane”, a DJ Films and Turnover Films production. Written by Nathan Bryon and Tom Melia, and directed by Raine Allen-Miller, the film is produced by Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo and Damian Jones. Kharmel Cochrane is the casting director, Olan Collardy is the director of photography, Victoria Boydell is the editor, Anna Rhodes is the production designer, with costume design by Cynthia Lawrence-John, hair and make-up by Bianca Simone Scott, and an original score by Kwes. The film was developed with the assistance of BBC Film, and funded by Searchlight Pictures, BBC Film and the BFI (awarding National Lottery funding). Executive Producers are Eva Yates and Rose Garnett for BBC Films, Kristin Irving for the BFI, Sophie Meyer, Paul Grindey and Charles Moore.

Make Way For AACTAs 2022 On The Cover Of The February 2023 Issue Of FilmCentral Magazine

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The AACTA Awards (formerly the AFI Awards) has honoured screen excellence in Australia since the first AFI Awards were held in 1958.

Held annually in Sydney in recognition and celebration of Australia’s highest achievements in film and television, the AACTA Awards present over 55 awards across two major ceremonies.

The peer-assessed AACTA Awards are the only Australian industry body to honour practitioners across all crafts and industry sectors, including feature film, documentary, short film, television, online, visual effects, and animation.

The Awards have grown to become a world-class marker of screen excellence alongside the Oscars® and the BAFTAs. Many of Australia’s most iconic and successful screen talent, both in front of and behind the camera – from actors such as Cate Blanchett, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Deborah Mailman, and Hugo Weaving, to directors such as Bruce Beresford, Gillian Armstrong, Dr. George Miller, and Warwick Thornton, to craftspeople such as Jill Bilcock, Catherine Martin and John Seale – have come through the ranks and been recognised among their peers at the AFI and AACTA Awards before going on to achieve international accolades and become household names.

Sonia Kruger, Mark Coles Smith, and the cast of Heartbreak High were among the stars to walk the carpet at the star-studded ceremony last year as the industry came together to honour Australia’s best and brightest screen talent.

Elvis and Mystery Road: Origin led the winners at the 2022 AACTA Awards Ceremony. Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis was the biggest winner of the night, taking home four additional Awards, including the coveted award for Best Film, Best Direction in Film presented by Filmology Finance (Baz Luhrmann), Best Lead Actor (Austin Butler), and Best Supporting Actress in Film (Olivia DeJonge). Elvis dominated the AACTA Industry Awards with 7 wins, bringing the total AACTA Award count to 11.

In television, Mystery Road: Origin received an additional 3 AACTA Awards, including Best Drama Series, as well as Best Lead Actor (Mark Coles Smith) and Actress (Tuuli Narkle) in a Drama presented by Foxtel. After receiving 4 AACTA Awards during the Industry Awards, Mystery Road: Origin lead the TV Award categories with a total of 7 AACTA Awards.

Another big winner was internet-sensation Heartbreak High. The teen drama swept all 3 of their eligible public-voted Audience Choice Award categories, including Best TV Show, Best Actor (Bryn Chapman), and Best Actress (Chloe Hayden). The Audience Choice Awards continued with Kat Clark crowned Best Digital Creator and Abbie Chatfield given the title of Australia’s Best TV Personality.

Chris Hemsworth was the recipient of the Trailblazer Award. The AACTA Trailblazer Award highlights the achievements, abilities, and success of an Australian screen practitioner who inspires others in the industry. Hemsworth was honoured for his outstanding career and contribution to the Australian screen industry as one of the most famous residents of the NSW North Coast; Hemsworth has used his position and status to attract global productions to Australia, creating jobs and opportunities for hundreds of local screen practitioners and championing the Australian film industry.

Local artists launch web series on youth mental health

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Canberrans will be the first to enjoy a sneak preview of an award-winning Canberra web series on youth mental health when it launches at the National Film and Sound Archives on 23 February.

Fragments thrust viewers into the world of eight teenagers navigating anxiety, depression, bullying, family dysfunction, gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia, neurodivergence, and more. Written by Maura Pierlot, the series aims to encourage candid discussions about mental health and well-being, chip away at the stigma, and encourage young people to check in with each other on a regular basis.

Supported by the ACT Government through artsACT, Fragments was awarded the Best TV/Web Series and Best Screenplay awards (Canberra category) at the 2022 Canberra Short Film Festival.

Pierlot, who is also Executive Producer, believes there is still work to do. “We’re getting better at talking about mental health and wellbeing, but there’s often a disconnect between words and action,” she said.

“I sometimes worry that we’re talking about the need to talk about mental health without really tackling the nitty-gritty issues. Fragments aim to help bridge that gap.”

The 8-episode web series will be launched by ACT Arts Minister, Tara Cheyne. The free event includes a film screening, followed by a Q&A with the Fragments production team. Award-winning documentary director-producer and Canberran, Michael Lawrence-Taylor, will emcee the event.

Producer Dan Sanguineti, who was a 2022 Finalist in the ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards for his work supporting Canberra filmmakers, devised an ambitious production approach to bring Fragments to life on the screen, involving many talents that showcase the diversity of Canberra’s film community.

“We selected eight different Canberra film creatives, each directing an episode,” said Sanguineti. “Coupled with eight young performers, each director brought their own visual style and experience to the project.”

The Fragments web series is adapted from Pierlot’s stage play of the same name, which enjoyed a sell-out debut season at The Street Theatre in 2019 and was published in script format in 2021 by Big Ideas Press. Boasting new material, the second edition of the book will be available at the launch, ahead of its 1 March release.

Praised as brilliant and riveting, the novel is aimed at high school students but is also an eye-opening read for families and carers.

For Pierlot, the six-year Fragments journey has inspired changes in herself, her art practice, and her personal and professional goals.

“Like the characters in Fragments, I’ve had to dig deep to adapt, transform and stay connected, while carving a path forward in an ever-changing world,” Pierlot said.

Sanguineti agrees, citing the biggest challenges to bringing the web series to screens, “Producing with eight different styles and approaches was a mammoth challenge, particularly as we started pre-production just before Canberra’s last pandemic lockdown, which added complexities to getting the episodes shot. However, the finished series shows how rewarding it can be as a producer to see the successes when an entire team comes together.”

Fragments is written and executive produced by Maura Pierlot. It is produced by Dan Sanguineti. The Production Designer is John Silvestro and the Director of Photography is Miguel Gallagher. The episodes were directed by Joshua Koske, Carl Emmerson, Matthew J. Thompson, Julia Faragher, Declan Shrubb, Denai Gracie, Anthea Staats, and Shelly Higgs. The series cast includes performances by Tom Bryson, Linda Chen, Ankush Khanchi, Jade Breen, Rahel Alemseged, Brendan Kelly, Erin Pierlot, and Zane Menegazzo.

You can view the trailer here: Fragments

The launch is 6 pm for a 7 pm screening. Register to attend via Eventbrite

‘The Boogeyman’ First Trailer Has Just Dropped

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High school student Sadie Harper and her younger sister Sawyer are reeling from the recent death of their mother and aren’t getting much support from their father, Will, a therapist who is dealing with his own pain. When a desperate patient unexpectedly shows up at their home seeking help, he leaves behind a terrifying supernatural entity that preys on families and feeds on the suffering of its victims. “The Boogeyman,” directed by Rob Savage (“Host”) with a screenplay by Scott Beck & Bryan Woods (“A Quiet Place”) and Mark Heyman (“Black Swan”) and a screen story by Scott Beck & Bryan Woods based upon the short story by Stephen King, stars Sophie Thatcher (“Yellowjackets”), Chris Messina (“Birds of Prey”), Vivien Lyra Blair (“Obi-Wan Kenobi”), Marin Ireland (“The Umbrella Academy”), Madison Hu (“Bizaardvark”), LisaGay Hamilton (“Vice”), and David Dastmalchian (“Dune”). The producers are Shawn Levy (“Stranger Things”), Dan Levine (“Arrival”), and Dan Cohen (“The Adam Project”), with John H. Starke (“Sicario”), Emily Morris (“Rosaline”), Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, Ryan Cunningham, Adam Kolbrenner (“The Tomorrow War”), and Robin Meisinger serving as executive producers.

The trailer for 20th Century Studios’ and 21 Laps’ horror-thriller The Boogeyman,” is here. “The Boogeyman,” a horror-thriller from the mind of best-selling author Stephen King, opens June 1, 2023, exclusively in cinemas. Check out the trailer below:

Disney+ New Releases For January 2023

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Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more, alongside exclusive Disney+ Originals. This post provides updates on upcoming original films and series, the latest episodes, and new library titles joining the service in the U.S.

Wednesday, January 4

– The Boonies (S1)
– Locked Up Abroad (S12)
– Lost Treasures of Egypt (S4)
– Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom (S2)
– Primal Survivor: Over the Andes (S1)
– Small & Mighty (S1)
– Underworld, Inc. (S1, S2)

Star Wars: The Bad Batch – 2-Episode Season 2 Premiere – Episode 201 “Spoils of War” and Episode 202 “Ruins of War”
When the new season opens, months have passed since the events on Kamino, and the Bad Batch continue their journey navigating the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They will cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places.

National Treasure: Edge of History – Episode 5 “Bad Romance”
Trust no one on a treasure hunt. Jess begins to wonder if this is true as she suspects someone close to her might’ve leaked an important clue to Billie, but she doesn’t want to believe it. While Tasha uses her tech skills to ferret out the mole, Jess realizes the key to the next step in the treasure hunt is locked in the Rare Books Room at the Governor’s mansion, leading Jess and her friends to plot a caper during the Governor’s Ball, where Jess’s trust in her friends will be tested.

Willow – Episode 7
An epic period fantasy series with a modern sensibility set in an enchanted land of breathtaking beauty, “Willow” features a diverse international cast with Jonathan Kasdan, Ron Howard, Wendy Mericle, Kathleen Kennedy, and Michelle Rejwan serving as executive producers. The story begins with an aspiring magician from a Nelwyn village and an infant girl destined to unite the realms, who together helped destroy an evil queen and banish the forces of darkness. Now, in a magical world where brownies, sorcerers, trolls, and other mystical creatures flourish, the adventure continues as an unlikely group of heroes set off on a dangerous quest to places far beyond their home, where they must face their inner demons and come together to save their world.

Friday, January 6

– Strangest Bird Alive

Wednesday, January 11

– Airport Security (S4, S5, S6, S7, S8)
– Best in Bridal (S1)
– Bride & Prejudice (S1)
– Celebrity Ghost Stories (S5, S6)
– Evil Genius (S1)
– My Ghost Story (S1)
– SuperKitties (S1, 11 episodes)

Chasing Waves – All Episodes Streaming
In the wake of surfing’s Olympic debut in Tokyo, “Chasing Waves” shines a spotlight on the people and places defining Japan’s global surf culture reach. This character-driven documentary series follows multicultural athletes in pursuit of their dreams, paints a captivating picture of Japanese life, and showcases what it takes to succeed in the international surf industry.

Gina Yei – All Episodes Streaming
Gina, a cheerful and creative girl, dreams of writing songs. Thanks to her lyric-writing abilities, she gets the chance of a lifetime when she wins a scholarship to the prestigious Caribbean Music Institute (CMI) on the island of Puerto Rico. It’s the best place in the world to study Latin music and the birthplace of reggaeton.

National Treasure: Edge of History – Episode 6 “Frenemies”
Not knowing who’s good and who’s bad, Jess works with Billie and deciphers a hundreds-year-old clue that points to a famous 18th-century landmark. Together they plan an impossible heist during a historic reenactment to retrieve the next piece of the treasure map. But things don’t go as planned, and Jess is ultimately faced with the most difficult decision of her life.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch – Episode 203 “The Solitary Clone”
When the new season opens, months have passed since the events on Kamino, and the Bad Batch continues their journey navigating the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They will cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places.

Willow – Episode 8
An epic period fantasy series with a modern sensibility set in an enchanted land of breathtaking beauty, “Willow” features a diverse international cast with Jonathan Kasdan, Ron Howard, Wendy Mericle, Kathleen Kennedy, and Michelle Rejwan serving as executive producers. The story began with an aspiring magician from a Nelwyn village and an infant girl destined to unite the realms, who together helped destroy an evil queen and banish the forces of darkness. Now, in a magical world where brownies, sorcerers, trolls, and other mystical creatures flourish, the adventure continues, as an unlikely group of heroes set off on a dangerous quest to places far beyond their home, where they must face their inner demons and come together to save their world.

Wednesday, January 18

– Chibi Tiny Tales (Shorts) (S3, 14 episodes)
– Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Funhouse (S2, 5 episodes)
– Me & Mickey (Shorts) (S1, 13 episodes)
– Night Stalkers (S1)
– Secret Life of Predators (S1)

King Shakir Recycle – Premiere
Scientists trying to solve the environmental crisis of pollution devise a way to send the collected garbage into space via rocket ships. When this garbage starts to land on alien planets, the outraged aliens head to Earth for revenge. King Shakir and his family must do their best to protect the world from alien destruction.

National Treasure: Edge of History – Episode 7 “Point of No Return”
Jess sacrifices everything to confront her dad’s killer to find the last piece of the map. But that meeting rocks her world as she learns that nothing is what’s expected on a treasure hunt, propelling her to make a dangerous decision that could land her in prison for life.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch – Episode 204 “Faster”
When the new season opens, months have passed since the events on Kamino, and the Bad Batch continue their journey navigating the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They will cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places.

Friday, January 20

– Ocean’s Breath
– Sharkatraz

Wednesday, January 25

– Bloody Tales of Europe (S1)
– Dino Ranch (S2, 6 episodes)
– Hacking the System (S1)
– Riding Britain’s Railways (S1)

Mila in the Multiverse – Premiere
Mila is 16 years old and living the adventure of her life traveling through the multiverse in search of her mother, Elis. As she travels, she will come face to face with The Operators, a mysterious and dangerous group that wants to exterminate all universes. She will have to face them in order to save the vast multiverse.

National Treasure: Edge of History – Episode 8 “Family Tree”
It’s a matter of life and death when Jess and her friends embark on their most impossible caper yet. Meanwhile, Liam teams up with his grandpa’s home care nurse, Myles, in a desperate attempt to bring down Billie and her secret organization before they harm Jess.

Star Wars: The Bad Batch – Episode 205 “Entombed”
When the new season opens, months have passed since the events on Kamino, and the Bad Batch continue their journey navigating the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They will cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places.

Friday, January 27

– American Blackout
– Challenger Disaster: Lost Tapes
– T. Rex Autopsy

Horror Thriller “After She Died” Set For A Global Release

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“Utterly nerve-shredding… Grips you from the very first frame.” Dead Northern

This Friday, the 13th, descend into terror with AFTER SHE DIED – a new award-winning Australian horror movie. Follow the story of Jen, a grieving teenager who’s horrified to discover that her father’s new girlfriend looks identical to her dead mother.

After its successful VOD release in North America, the film will be expanding globally on January 13th. To celebrate the global release date, a new trailer is now online and available for sharing:

The film is available for pre-order, including 45 minutes of bonus content and an audio commentary from writer/director/producer Jack Dignan. More information about the release can be found at www.aftershedied.com

A screener is available for review upon request.

The film won Best Australian Feature and Best Australian Feature Performance (Vanessa Madrid) at 2022’s A Night of Horror International Film Festival.

Knowing the Score: a biopic of Australian conductor Simone Young to hit cinemas on February 16

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Sharmill Films, in partnership with Bonsai Films, has today announced the release date for KNOWING THE SCORE, a biopic documentary following the career of Simone Young, an inspiring, brilliant woman who made it to the top in a man’s world, wielding her wit, determination, sense of humour and baton.

Set to open in select Australian cinemas from February 16, Knowing the Score will have its world premiere at Randwick Ritz on Sunday 5 February followed by a Q&A with Young.

New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Simone Young has conquered them all in the most male dominated of professions, a Conductor of Opera and Classical Music. The girl from Manly beach, now a woman with so many firsts to her name, she’s tired of the whole “woman” title that follows her around. Knowing the Score captures the career of a great conductor, its challenges and triumphs, past, present and into the future.

Knowing the Score is directed by Janine Hosking, with Serendipity Productions’ Margie Bryant producing alongside Cate Blanchett as executive producer.

KNOWING THE SCORE WILL BE RELEASED IN CINEMAS ON 16 FEBRUARY 2023

This article was sourced from a media release sent by Nixco

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ Hits $1 Billion At The Global Box Office

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The latest James Cameron blockbuster “Avatar: The Way of Water” has amazingly gone past the $1 billion mark in global ticket sales in just a mere 14 days. According to a report from Variety, it has become the fastest movie this year to hit the box office milestone.

‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ is the fastest movie to hit $1 billion at the box office since Spider-Man: No Way Home, which needed 12 days in total to get there. Variety further confirms that only three films released in 2022 passed the billion-dollar mark. It took 31 days for “Top Gun: Maverick” to clear $1 billion at the box office; meanwhile, it took more than four months for “Jurassic World Dominion” to join the elite club.

Variety further confirms that the film has generated $317.1 million in North America and $712.7 million overseas, resulting in a global tally of $1.025 billion, which moved past “Jurassic World Dominion” as the second highest-grossing movie of the year, and the third highest of the pandemic era.

“Avatar” stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, and Sigourney Weaver, and it follows the Sully family as they head underwater to battle the elements and keep the Na’vi safe from humans. Other cast members include Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Edie Falco, and Jemaine Clement.

Cameras Set To Wrap On “The New Boy” In South Australia

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Award-winning First Nations filmmaker Warwick Thornton’s spiritual drama The New Boy wraps this week in regional South Australia, with major production funding from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department alongside Fremantle and Gretel Packer’s Longbridge Nominees, who join producers Kath Shelper for Scarlett Pictures; and Cate Blanchett, Andrew Upton, Georgie Pym and Coco Francini for Dirty Films.

Newcomer Aswan Reid has been cast in the titular role, alongside Blanchett, Deborah Mailman and Wayne Blair. An ensemble of new faces, including Shane Brady, Tyrique Brady, Laiken Woolmington, Kailem Miller, Kyle Miller, Tyzailin Roderick and Tyler Spencer, round out the cast.

Set in 1940s Australia, The New Boy is the story of a nine-year-old Aboriginal orphan boy (Reid) who arrives in the dead of night at a remote monastery, run by a renegade nun (Blanchett), where his presence disturbs the delicately balanced world in this story of spiritual struggle and the cost of survival.

Screen Australia’s First Nations Department provides major production investment in association with Screen NSW and the South Australian Film Corporation. Roadshow Films is handling distribution in Australia and New Zealand.

The First Nations Department first backed the project in development over a number of years.

Screen Australia’s Head of First Nations, Angela Bates, said: “We are proud to support the masterful Warwick Thornton together with an experienced creative team and talented cast on this film. With a subtle yet powerful script, The New Boy is a genre defying film that explores spirituality, culture and colonisation in a way we haven’t seen on screen before. I have no doubt it will resonate with audiences around the world.”

The film is produced by Shelper for Scarlett Pictures, Blanchett, Upton and co-producer Pym for Dirty Films, and De Maio (of De Maio Entertainment), with Francini serving as executive producer for Dirty Films alongside Packer for Longbridge Nominees.

Christian Vesper, President of Global Drama, Fremantle, commented, “The New Boy is a powerful story from the cinematic genius of Warwick Thornton, and we are honoured to collaborate with an outstanding group of actors and exceptional creatives to tell this compelling story. We all take this responsibility seriously and acknowledge that the power and success of The New Boy lies in the reclamation of Indigenous narratives and perspectives, where audiences from around the world can reflect and have meaningful conversations about the struggles for survival.”

Lorenzo De Maio, De Maio Entertainment added, “It’s an incredible joy to partner with Dirty Films, Scarlett Pictures, Longbridge Nominees, Screen Australia and Fremantle, to bring this extraordinary film to audiences worldwide and to support First Nations storytelling. Warwick Thornton has crafted a film with unique beauty and power, anchored by the incomparable Cate Blanchett, Deborah Mailman and Wayne Blair, alongside a cast of truly talented and inspiring young actors.”

Gretel Packer commented, “I am thrilled to be part of this magical project. It is both a heartbreaking and heart-warming story, being brought to the screen by such a brilliant team of passionate and talented artists. It is a privilege.”

Thornton is one of Australia’s most celebrated filmmakers, most notably for his critically acclaimed Sweet Country, for which he won the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival and the Platform Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2017; and Samson And Delilah, for which he won the Caméra d’Or at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. Both films won the AACTA Award for Best Film. His authentic lens highlights him as one of cinema’s most treasured voices.

CAA Media Finance and UTA are handling sales for North America and The Veterans are on board to manage sales for the remainder of the globe.