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ACTF supports new family feature film

A feature length family film about a young girl’s risky journey to save a whale shark will begin filming on Western Australia’s spectacular Ningaloo Reef later this year.

Produced by Cottesloe Films, Whale Shark Jack tells the story of 11-year-old Sarah and her best friend, Jack – a whale shark who she rescued as a pup. Sarah lives at sea with her parents, who research whale sharks.

Following a tragic accident, Sarah and her dad move to the coastal town of Exmouth. When Jack fails to return from his annual migration, Sarah embarks on a dangerous mission to find him.

Written by emerging writer Kathryn Lefroy (Library of Love), Whale Shark Jack will be directed by brother-sister team Miranda Edmonds and Khrob Edmonds. Miranda Edmonds will also produce alongside Timothy White (The Luminaries, Seriously Red).

Whale Shark Jack is the first feature length film to receive production funding from the ACTF since Dance Academy: The Movie, filmed in 2017.

It will be the first scripted production to be filmed entirely in WA’s Gascoyne region.

Whale Shark Jack directors Miranda and Khrob Edmonds said: “The whole Whale Shark Jack team is thrilled to be filming this exciting adventure story at the magnificent Ningaloo Reef. We can’t wait for audiences to dive into the breathtaking world of whale sharks with our young heroine, Sarah.”

ACTF Head of Content and Whale Shark Jack executive producer Bernadette O’Mahony said: “Whale Shark Jack is a gorgeous script with real heart and adventure, a real family film set in one of Australia’s most beautiful regions. We’re excited to be working with Miranda, Tim and Khrob on Whale Shark Jack this year.”

Whale Shark Jack is a Cottesloe Films and Southern Light Films production, with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest, Lotterywest, the Western Australian Regional Screen Fund, the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and Filmology Finance. Financed with support from Wade Brothers Films, Minderoo Pictures and Ulladulla Films.