THE FIRST PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN’S TELEVISION FOUNDATION AND A STREAMING SERVICE IN AUSTRALIA, STAN AND ACTF ANNOUNCE FAMILY FEATURE AND FIRST CO-COMMISSION, 'WIND CATCHER'

From writer Boyd Quakawoot and producers Meg O’Connell and Drew Grove, the Stan Original Film Wind Catcher marks Stan’s first project with The Australian Children’s Television Foundation under its initiative.

June 14 2023 - Stan, Australia’s unrivalled home of original productions, and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) today announced the Stan Original Film Wind Catcher, a family feature film and Stan’s first co-commission with ACTF since their landmark partnership, with major production investment from Screen Australia. Wind Catcher will be filmed in Victoria.

The first partnership between ACTF and a streaming service in Australia, the Stan and ACTF initiative brings exciting, feature-length live action projects to the screen for families and young audiences across Australia. 

Written by Boyd Quakawoot (Stan Original Series Black Snow, Black Comedy) and directed by Tanith Glynn-Maloney (AACTA award-winning Finding Jedda), Wind Catcher is the heart-warming tale of a young Aboriginal boy growing up in regional Australia, and the story of a friendship between an unlikely trio helmed by the fast and wily Percy Boy. Against the odds, Percy Boy, Daisy and Keithy decide to compete in the upcoming sports carnival, determined to finally become the heroes of their own story. But when a natural disaster bears down on their remote township, putting the people he loves in peril, Percy Boy will find himself tested in ways he never imagined. 

Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie said: “Stan’s partnership with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation reinforces Stan as a streaming destination for young audiences and families. We are thrilled to be delivering our first project with the ACTF, and we look forward to working with them and the extraordinary creative team on Wind Catcher, a heart-warming feature film for the whole family and an exciting addition to our Stan Originals slate.”

ACTF CEO Jenny Buckland said: “Working with Stan to bring homegrown children’s films to the audience is a dream come true for the ACTF and this project and the team behind it is incredibly special.”

Screen Australia’s Head of Content Grainne Brunsdon said: “It is fantastic to be supporting Stan and the ACTF to tell this important and authentic Australian story. Wind Catcher is a culturally rich coming-of-age tale, and at its heart highlights the power of family and friendship. I am confident this film will resonate with Australian audiences and provide something for the whole family to enjoy.”

From Unless Pictures and Every Cloud Productions, the Stan Original Film Wind Catcher is produced by Meg O’Connell (Upright, Retrograde) and Drew Grove (Stan Original Films A Sunburnt Christmas and Christmas Ransom). Executive produced by Bernadette O’Mahony for ACTF, and Cailah Scobie and Rachel Okine for Stan. Major production investment from Screen Australia and Australian Children’s Television Foundation in association with Stan. Developed with investment from Screen Queensland. ACTF will handle worldwide distribution. 

The Stan Original Film Wind Catcher will enter production later this year.

For more information, contact Stan Publicity: stan.publicity@stan.com.au

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