News| Nov 26, 2021

Still from June Again. Photo by Andreas Bommert

Feel-good dramedy feature June Again has been picked up for widespread international release, while TV-series Bump and Hardball have also been acquired to circulate on TV screens globally.

Samuel Goldwyn picks up June Again for North America

Still from June Again. Photo by Andreas Bommert

Samuel Goldwyn has snapped up the North American rights to fan-favourite June Again. The deal was negotiated by Annika Horne on behalf of Samuel Goldwyn Films and Caroline Couret-Delègue of Film Seekers, who represents international rights on behalf of the filmmakers.

Recent sales include the UK (Bohemia Pictures), Germany, Switzerland, and Austria (MT Trading), Spain (Filmax) and Scandinavia (Lucky Dogs).

June Again follows matriarch June (Noni Hazlehurst) who, during a reprieve from an ongoing illness, sets about fixing all her family’s problems, including bringing back together with her estranged children, saving the family business, and rekindling an old flame. The film also stars Claudia Karvan and Stephen Curry.

The project was produced by See Pictures and producers Jamie Hilton, Michael Pontin, and Drew Bailey. Principal production funding came from Screen Australia in association with Screen NSW. It was also financed with support from Spectrum Films, Huge Films, Head Gear Films, Metrol Technology and Kreo Films.
Watch the trailer here.


The CW acquires rights for Roadshow Rough Diamond’s Bump

Angie Chalmers (Claudia Karvan) with Oly (Nathalie Morris) © Roadshow Rough Diamond. Image credit John Platt.

Sydney is showcased in the NSW-made 10-part television series Bump, which has been acquired by US distributor The CW.

The popular comedy-drama broke viewing records in Australia when it was released on New Year’s Day 2021, becoming the highest premiering series on the Australian streaming platform Stan.

Bump stars Claudia Karvan, Nathalie Morris, Carlos Sanson Jr and Angus Sampson and centres around Oly (Nathalie Morris), a highly ambitious teenager who has a surprise baby; and the complications that follow for the two families involved.

The script is written by Kelsey Munroe, Jessica Tuckwell, Timothy Lee, Steven Arriagada and Mithila Gupta.

Bump is produced by Roadshow Rough Diamond, Claudia Karvan, John Edwards, and Dan Edwards, in association with Screen Australia and Screen NSW. Directed by Geoff Bennett, Gracie Otto, and Leticia Caceres. Watch the trailer here.

Season two of Bump is in post-production and season three has been confirmed.


Children’s television series Hardball a French favourite

Hardball. Left to right Back line: Prisha (Holly Simon) Tiffany (Erin Choy) Middle Line: Salwa (Reannah Hamdan) Mikey (Semisi Cheekam) Front: Jerry (Logan Reberger). Image credit: Andy Baker.

Public broadcaster France Télévisions has secured the rights to season two of the NSW-made children’s television series Hardball, having picked-up season one previously.

Hardball S2 is a 10 part 30-minute live action-comedy series that re-joins Mikey and the gang as they go on yet another epic adventure to win an even more epic state doubles handball championship.

The series has won multiple awards including an International Emmy, The Japan Prize 2020 for Best Work in the Primary Division, a Prix Jeunesse for best series in the 7-10 age category and winner of a Silver Remi at Worldfest Houston International Film Festival 2020, to name just a few.

Hardball is produced by Northern Pictures in association with The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Screen NSW, Screen Australia and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF).  

Watch the trailer here.