Windcatcher, the first film to be made as part of a landmark partnership between Stan and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, has commenced production, featuring a talented cast which includes award-winning singer and songwriter Jessica Mauboy.

From writer Boyd Quakawoot, director Tanith Glynn-Maloney and produced by Meg O’Connell and Drew Grove, Windcatcher is now filming in Victoria, with major production investment from Screen Australia and the ACTF, in association with VicScreen.

Jessica Mauboy returns to the screen in her first film since The Sapphires, joined by talented newcomer Lennox Monaghan, Max Turner (F.A.N.G (From A Nearby Galaxy)), Coco Greenstone (I Am Woman), Kelton Pell (Mystery Road: Origin), Pia Miranda (Looking for Alibrandi), Ngali Shaw (The Twelve) and Lisa Maza (Wentworth).

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

Windcatcher is set in the small country town of Herbertson, and follows the unlikely friendship between Percy Boy, a fast and resourceful Aboriginal boy, newcomer Keithy Cobb, and the spirited Daisy Hawkins, as they band together to take home the sports day title from the hands of the “Wolf Pack,” a group of grade five bullies. But as Percy Boy trains with the help of his friends, he is surprised to discover an ability to see Lost Souls - a gift passed down from his grandfather. And as the sports day approaches, there’s a much bigger problem for his family and the town. In the face of adversity, Percy Boy must lean on his friends, family and community to overcome his fears, prove his resilience and become a force to be reckoned with. For Percy, catching the wind is only the beginning.

Meg O’Connell (Unless Pictures) and Drew Grove (Every Cloud Productions) said: “We did a nationwide call-out for Percy Boy. 160 kids applied and we found the perfect person to play him. When Lennox told his mates he had to run a 100M race in the film they said, ‘That’s exactly like you!’”

ACTF Executive Producer Bernadette O’Mahony said: “We are delighted to be working with Tanith, Meg and Drew. Windcatcher is a delightful film and we could not have dreamed of a better cast to bring Boyd’s characters to life. We can’t wait for audiences to laugh, cry and cheer Percy Boy on. It’s a film with a huge heart.”

From Unless Pictures and Every Cloud Productions (A Global City Group Company), the Stan Original Film Windcatcher is produced by Meg O’Connell and Drew Grove. Executive produced by Bernadette O’Mahony, Cailah Scobie, Donna Chang and Rachel Okine for Stan. Major production investment from Screen Australia and Australian Children’s Television Foundation in association with VicScreen, the Post Lounge, and Stan. Developed with the support of the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland. Australian Children’s Television Foundation will distribute worldwide.  

The cast at their first table read for Windcatcher

Talented newcomer Lennox Monaghan has been cast as Percy Boy

Jessica Mauboy with ACTF Executive Producer Bernadette O'Mahony