ACTF News
October 6th 2023
Share:

content

Jessica Mauboy joins the cast of ACTF and Stan family film Windcatcher

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.  

B8af2315-2c65-4c41-b958-468e1b9df4e2 870x489px

The cast at their first table read for Windcatcher

Fa4f2ec3-7376-4401-84c7-2a6e05b5b549 870x489px

Talented newcomer Lennox Monaghan has been cast as Percy Boy

Bom Jm 870x489px

Jessica Mauboy with ACTF Executive Producer Bernadette O'Mahony

C87f6054-3306-4b3e-b0d2-293777fec621 870x489px

See also:

November 21st 2024

Australian films and series to watch with your class

As school begins to wind down for the year and attention spans start to wane, share and celebrate Australian stories with your students.

November 7th 2024

The ACTF publishes its 2023-24 Annual Report

The Australian Children’s Television Foundation invested or committed nearly $9.5 million in production funding during the 2023-24 financial year, as well as investing more than $380,000 in the development of 14 new projects.

November 7th 2024

Round The Twist The Musical to premiere next week

The world premiere of a new musical based on the iconic television series Round the Twist is just days away, with Round The Twist The Musical opening in Brisbane next week.

October 31st 2024

New research gives insight into the viewing habits of Aussie kids

New research shows Australian children struggle to find and identify locally made screen content among the flood of international options.

October 31st 2024

Windcatcher wins MIPCOM Diversify Award

The heartwarming family film Windcatcher has been recognised for its representation of diversity and inclusion with a MIPCOM Diversify TV Award.

Search ACTF

No results