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Stan and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation announce Whale Shark Jack

Stan and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) today announced the Stan Original Film Whale Shark Jack, a family feature film, is currently in production in Western Australia.

Developed by a Western Australian creative team, including screenwriter and author Kathryn Lefroy (Library of Love) and sibling directors Miranda Edmonds (Library of Love, Tango Underpants) and Khrob Edmonds (Library of Love, Tango Underpants), in their feature directorial debut, Whale Shark Jack is set on and around the breathtaking Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, and is a heartwarming story about family, friendship, and the natural world.

The Stan Original Film Whale Shark Jack is the second co-commission with ACTF following on from the award-winning and critically acclaimed Stan Original Film Windcatcher.

Whale Shark Jack stars Abbie Cornish (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Limitless, Robocop) and Michael Dorman (Territory, Joe Pickett) as husband and wife with Alyla Browne (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Sonic the Hedgehog 3) as their daughter Sarah. The family lives an idyllic life on a yacht researching whale sharks, wandering the oceans, and having all kinds of adventures with Sarah’s only friend Jack, a whale shark she rescued as a pup.

Whale Shark Jack follows Sarah’s journey as she tries to recover from an unexpected tragedy and finds herself in the coastal town of Exmouth, WA. She struggles to make new friends and find her feet on land, and even in the comfort of being back with her great-aunt Dot (played by Rachel Ward), she is desperate to return to her old life at sea. Sarah pegs all her hopes on Jack, certain that when his migration brings him back to Exmouth, her mother will take her out on the boat again. But when Jack fails to return, Sarah embarks on a risky mission to find him.

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Whale Shark Jack also stars Ursula Yovich (Top End Wedding, The Twelve), Karen O’Leary (Wellington Paranormal), and Rachel Ward (On the Beach, The Thorn Birds) and features emerging talent Jayden Boundry, Luca Miller, Giselle Philogene and Emmi Williams in their first feature film acting roles.

Stan Chief Content Officer Cailah Scobie said: “Stan is proud to continue our partnership with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation for this film which is full of heart, adventure, and the power of an unexpected bond with a young girl and her aquatic friend Jack. Set in breathtaking locations in Western Australia, including Exmouth, Whale Shark Jack is an impactful and visually stunning film featuring the immersive world of the ocean, which we are delighted to bring to life for our family viewing audience.”

ACTF CEO Jenny Buckland said: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Stan on Whale Shark Jack, a one-of-a-kind adventure story set in one of Australia’s most stunning regions. The beautiful script is full of warmth, friendship, and adventure, and the cast is exceptional. Whale Shark Jack is a truly special family film, and we can’t wait for audiences to dive into the breathtaking world of whale sharks with Sarah and her family.”

Screen Australia’s Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said: “Australian children need to see their stories, their landscape, and their experiences reflected on screen. This inspiring female-led story is full of adventure and will delight audiences with its heart-full representation of friendship, family, and the beauty of Australia’s natural environment.”

Screenwest CEO Rikki Lea Bestall said: “It’s wonderful to welcome Stan back to Western Australia for another Stan Original Film. Whale Shark Jack is a uniquely Western Australian family story, and we can’t wait to see the film showcase our local talent and beautiful coastline to national and international audiences. Congratulations to Miranda, Khrob, Kathryn, and the entire cast and crew!”

The Stan Original Film Whale Shark Jack is produced by Timothy White (The Luminaries, I Am Mother), Miranda Edmonds, and co-produced by Georgia White (The Furnace) and Estelle Buzzard (The Lifeguard). Executive Producers are Bernadette O’ Mahony for ACTF, Cailah Scobie and Donna Chang for Stan, Kelvin Munro (We Bury the Dead, I Am Mother), Malinda Wink (The Final Quarter, Big Deal) and Associate Producer Hazel Walgar (Shark vs. Snake: Battle of the Bites). Co-Executive Producers are Deanne Weir, Olivia Humphrey, Khrob Edmonds, and Kathryn Lefroy.

The Stan Original Film Whale Shark Jack is produced by Cottesloe Films and Southern Light Films, as part of the Australian Children's Television Foundation (ACTF) / Stan Family Film partnership. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the Australian Children’s Television Foundation and Stan. Financed with support from Screenwest, Lotterywest and the Western Australian Government through the Western Australian Regional Screen Fund, and in association with Minderoo Pictures. International sales by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.

The Stan Original Film Whale Shark Jack is currently in production in Western Australia.