Seven Western Australian filmmakers will receive support to develop scripts and short films as part of Proper Loved Up, a new romantic comedy initiative for mid-career First Nations producers and emerging writer-director teams.

Shakara Walley, Calen Tassone, Jamahl Ryder, Gary Hamaguchi, Brooke Collard, Devina McPherson and Kimberley Benjamin are among 22 recipients of Stage One support, which includes intensive training workshops to help develop a short film script, and an opportunity to apply for funding for the production and delivery of a short film.

The initiative is a collaboration between Screen Australia’s First Nations Department, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and National Indigenous Television (NITV), with support from Screenwest and other state-based screen funding bodies.

The selected teams recently took part in a three-day intensive workshop in Sydney, the first step in a broader development program featuring masterclasses and mentorship to help shape bold, funny, and heartfelt First Nations love stories for the screen.

Screenwest Head of Production Chris Veerhuis said: “Storytelling is at the heart of First Nations culture and our state is home to some amazingly talented First Nations filmmakers who are kicking goals in their artform, sharing stories on local, national and global stages.

“Screenwest is committed to supporting Western Australian First Nations screen practitioners and communities to tell these stories, and we look forward to watching the Proper Loved Up short films evolve.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The successful filmmakers and their projects are:

Shakara Walley, Calen Tassone, Jamahl Ryder and Gary Hamaguchi
Office Party
A First Nations office worker struggles to connect with his crush amidst the mundane chaos of office life, culminating in a heartwarming Office Party mishap.

Cian McCue and Aaliyah-Jade Bradbury
Homecoming
When a famous Aboriginal musician takes refuge in a family-owned Darwin diner, a late-night encounter with a quick-witted cook sparks unexpected chemistry, messy burgers, and one unforgettable night.

Jerome Smith and David Cook
I Dare (Love) You
Long-time friends David and Jennifer are forced to confront their true feelings when a daring challenge pushes them beyond friendship.

Brooke Collard and Rhianna Malezer
Crushed!
Crushed by her crush, Jo finds herself magically stuck inside a pinball machine at a queer bar, with only her bestie Tay to get her out. But a messy love triangle lands Tay crushed inside the machine beside her.

Travis Akbar and Natasha Wanganeen
Love.exe
In a future society where physical relationships are obsolete, a lonely man agrees to meet his online partner in real life, forcing them both to confront what it truly means to connect.

Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs and Libby Collins
Best on Ground
17-year-old Räkay is a young, tough and driven girl, with the pressure of cultural boundaries holding her back. But 18-year-old care-free boy Wämut, who Räkay met at footy training, is determined to break through her guard to score her heart.

Jack Steele and Nicole Hutton-Lewis
Egg Head and the Paper Girl
On an isolated farm, Jessie slips into vintage musical daydreams to escape her daily routine – but when Hattie, the pregnant postie from the feuding Turner family shows up, a secret spark ignites.

Talia Liddle and Travis Cloudy-Hensgen
Only Two Luvaz
Out of touch, dressed in pink and back for the summer, Rose throws herself into bush life, but her nanas have other plans.

Hannah French and James McLaren
Stuffed
When an elderly widower arrives with a mysterious rolled-up rug, a taxidermy artist is presented with an unusual request that will test the limits of romantic gestures.

Devina McPherson and Kimberley Benjamin
G.O.A.T
When Lilah meets the new environmental scientist in town Rosie, she falls hard for her. But since Lilah isn’t sure Rosie is even queer, she’ll have to do some serious sleuthing to find out.

Delivered in partnership with Screenwest, Screen Territory, Screen Queensland, Screen Tasmania, VicScreen, the South Australian Film Corporation, Screen NSW and Screen Canberra, Proper Loved Up empowers First Nations creatives to tell fresh, authentic, and globally resonant stories with heart and humour.

Participants will now work towards delivering a third draft script, with the opportunity to apply for up to $80,000 in production funding to bring their short films to life.

More information about Proper Loved Up can be found here.

If you enjoy Cinema Australia as much as I love publishing it, please consider supporting Cinema Australia’s commitment to the Australian screen industry via a donation below.

I strive to shine a light on Australian movies, giving voice to emerging talent and established artists.

This important work is made possible through the support of Cinema Australia readers.

Without corporate interests or paywalls, Cinema Australia is committed to remaining free to read, watch and listen to, always.

If you can, please consider making a contribution. It takes less than a minute, and your support will make a significant impact in sustaining Cinema Australia as the much-loved publication that it is.

Thank you.

Matthew Eeles
Founder and Editor.

Make a donation here.