Bronte Pictures, the prolific Australian feature film production house behind films such as Wyrmwood: Apocalypse, The Fabulous 4 and soon-to-be-released Beast of War, has announced an ambitious expansion plan under its new Bronte Studios banner. Under the new Studios’ structure, Michelle Krumm, former Miramax, The Weinstein Company executive and indie Producer joins the company as a producer whilst experienced Australian industry executive, Richard Harris, will act as co-Managing Director alongside Bronte founder/producer Blake Northfield. Sandra Tahmasby Baxter will remain as Head of Production, and Drew Smith will continue as Head of Development. Both are also being elevated to Partners within the company.

Harris brings a wealth of experience, having worked as an executive at Screen Australia and as CEO of the South Australian Film Corporation. He has worked as an independent producer, and most recently worked as an Executive Producer at the award-winning company Closer Productions. Baxter and Smith carry over from Bronte Pictures.

“Richard has come on board to drive growth and diversify the Bronte business,” said founder Blake Northfield. “We are thrilled to have someone with his experience, network and track record join our company at such a pivotal moment. Michelle is someone we have respected for such a long period of time and hold in such high regard within the international producing and financing space, we cannot wait to dive into our slate with her!”

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Bronte Studios will continue to pursue its core production business, developing and producing commercial feature films for the Australian and international market. It has an exciting slate of films working with the likes of The Hayes Brothers (The Conjuring), Kriv Stenders, Tony Ayres, Mark Morrissey, Pj Hogan, Kiah Roache–Turner with five films in advanced financing slated to go into production over the next 12 months. Beyond this slate, the company will seek to grow its production services business, offering both production and post-production support, utilising a series of strategic partnerships with international partners and local providers.

Bronte has strategically appointed an advisory board of industry leaders as it evolves its creative and operational vision. The board features; Cornerstone Films founder Mark Gooder, XYZ Films executive Todd Brown, Director Phillip Noyce (Patriot Games, Rabbit Proof Fence) and writer/director Sofya Gollan

“Bronte has had an incredible run over the past twelve years, working with amazing production partners here and overseas, but we felt that we were at a point where we wanted to leverage off our success and build for the future. While the screen industry is facing challenges, Bronte has experienced increasing demand for our production services, and we are seeing genuine opportunities opening, particularly in the international market. In some ways the tightening of the market is the very thing that has informed our strategy, that tells us that rather than go backwards that we need to grow to survive.”

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