Mark Coles Smith and Marlikka Perdrisat join the cast of Akoni

Marlikka Perdrisat

Genna Chanelle Hayes’ debut feature film Akoni will re-commence production in Sydney this week, and the film has added award-winning actor Mark Coles Smith and emerging young talent Marlikka Perdrisat to its cast.

Coles Smith recently won a Helpmann Award for his work on the Belvoir play A Drover’s Wife.

Marlikka Perdrisat is an indigenous model and Akoni will mark her feature film debut. Akoni is written and directed by Genna Chanelle Hayes, who has previously worked with Coles Smith on her film Wurinyan.

The film also stars Kit Esuruoso, Simon Elrahi, Genna Chanelle Hayes and Mal Kennard. Akoni focuses on the refugee crises, and follows the journey of a Nigerian refugee when he is forced to flee his country and integrate into Australian society.

Genna Chanelle Hayes, who is known for her human-rights focused storytelling, said she was excited to see it all come into fruition.

“I believe this film to be an important film, highlighting important local and global issues. And all the people that are coming together to create Akoni are very special. So as a filmmaker, I couldn’t be happier. ”