News

There is a reason "til death do us part" is only in marriage vows because an influx of coming-of-age spooky TV shows prove that friendships do not abide by the same rules. From Paramount+'s School Spirits with Peyton List playing an utterly confused and frustrated teenage ghost, to Netflix's Boo, Bitch starring Lana Condor and Zoe Colletti as two manipulative best friends turning the afterlife into a popularity contest, teen friendships all over have been thrust into supernatural and horrific circumstances. Arriving from Australia, Crazy Fun Park contains all these elements while also elevating its spooky atmosphere with the creepy backdrop of an abandoned amusement park. Sprinkled with the complexity of teenage grief and an awkward coming-of-age story, this horror comedy series contrasts these human themes with the fantastical lights and sounds of a haunted carnival, adding thrills to a story about growing pains and friendship.

Sola Media has closed sales for multiple territories for “The Sloth Lane,” which will world premiere at the Annecy Intl. Animation Film Festival. Sola will be presenting a first look at the trailer at the Cannes Market.

The story, which centers on an adorable family of sloths and their journey to the fast-paced world of Sanctuary City with their slow food truck, has sold to more than 40 territories including Portugal (Nos), Hungary and Romania (Ads), Israel (Filmhouse), Taiwan (AvJet), Greece (Tanweer), Turkey (Tme) and Middle East (Krisco).

“The Sloth Lane,” which will be part of Annecy’s Official Selection 2024 – Annecy Presents, is produced by the Australian production house Like A Photon Creative, and is part of the Sanctuary City franchise.

Solveig Langeland, managing director of Sola Media, said: “We immediately fell in love with the adorable family of sloths and are excited by the project’s development and to show...

“Shayda,” a breakout indie movie from Noora Niasari, and Kitty Green’s high-temperature drama “The Royal Hotel” were named best film winners at the annual Spa Awards, presented by the Screen Producers Australia association.

The ceremony took place Thursday at Queensland’s Gold Coast, during the annual Screen Forever conference. The event was hosted by actor and comedian Matt Okine.

Production company Werner Film, which this week announced its acquisition by the BBC, took three awards including the coveted Media Super Production Business of the year prize.

“It’s clear that our production community continues to thrive in the face of a rapidly changing landscape. Each winner exemplifies the creativity, innovation, and dedication that define our industry and showcase the vital role producers and production businesses play in sharing our unique stories and culture with audiences worldwide,” said Spa CEO Matthew Deaner.

The awards ceremony also saw Amy Parry named...

A biopic on late AC/DC singer Bon Scott is currently in the works via Australian production companies Halo Films and Protocol Pictures. Young actor Lee Tiger Halley has been cast as the rock icon in the movie, titled The Kid From Harvest Road.

Per Halo Films’ website, the movie “promises to be a poignant portrayal of the man behind the legend,” adding, “His path from a cherished yet troubled youth to a prodigious artist is a tale interwoven with the threads of magic and passion.” Production on the film is expected to begin in early 2025.

Like Scott, Lee Tiger Halley hails from the Australian city of Fremantle. He stars in the new Netflix limited series Boy Swallows Universe, based on Trent Dalton’s novel of the same name. He also has a lead role in the Australian comedy series Crazy Fun Park, which is available to stream on Hulu.

A biopic on late AC/DC singer Bon Scott is currently in the works via Australian production companies Halo Films and Protocol Pictures. Young actor Lee Tiger Halley has been cast as the rock icon in the movie, titled The Kid From Harvest Road.

Per Halo Films’ website, the movie “promises to be a poignant portrayal of the man behind the legend,” adding, “His path from a cherished yet troubled youth to a prodigious artist is a tale interwoven with the threads of magic and passion.” Production on the film is expected to begin in early 2025.

Like Scott, Lee Tiger Halley hails from the Australian city of Fremantle. He stars in the new Netflix limited series Boy Swallows Universe, based on Trent Dalton’s novel of the same name. He also has a lead role in the Australian comedy series Crazy Fun Park, which is available to stream on Hulu.

Sales agency Sola Media is set to present its new project “The Sloth Lane” to buyers at the American Film Market. The animated film, an addition to the “Tales From Sanctuary City” franchise, is described as “a story of self discovery, family and friendship.”

Australia’s Like a Photon Creative is producing the film and Sola Media is handling world sales, after recently acquiring international distribution rights for the next three animated feature films in the Sanctuary City franchise.

Dotti Pace, a smart, ambitious cheetah, is voiced by the stand up comedian Leslie Jones, Laura, an excitable and energetic sloth, will be voiced by Teo Vergara (“Turn Up the Volume” and “Crazy Fun Park”), Laura’s mother will be voiced by Olivia Vásquez (“Thor: Love and Thunder”), Luis, a big lovable sloth who gives the best hugs, will be voiced by Ben Gorroño, Mani, the “most sloth” of the family,...

The concept of death can be confusing at any age. Even adults have a hard time processing this unavoidable part of life. For young people, though, death should be the last thing on their minds. And for a long time, the two main characters of Crazy Fun Park didn’t have to consider their mortality. Best friends Chester and Mapplethorpe were more concerned with finishing their graphic novel and making it to school on time each morning than the possibility of never seeing each other again. Yet in this Australian teen-drama series, death catches these boys completely off guard and puts their friendship to the test.

Death is typically the conclusion of relationships in other stories, but here it’s just the beginning for these two soulmates. Chester and Mapplethorpe (neatly played by Henry Strand and Stacy Clausen) are the embodiment of the word “inseparable.” Drawing from real life, series...

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for Hulu! Oct. 1 kicks off the streamer’s annual Huluween offerings with dozens of spine-tingling series and films added to the platform, from horror classics like Stephen King’s “It” to new Hulu Originals like “Appendage.”

If you on the squeamish side, Hulu hasn’t forgotten you and will be adding dozens more titles this month and streaming major season premieres the day after they air, including new season of “The Simpsons,” “Bob's Burgers,” and more.

30-Day Free Trial $7.99+ / month hulu.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Hulu in October 2023? “Appendage” | Monday, Oct. 2

Hulu’s latest original horror film “Appendage” joins the platform on Oct. 2 after its SXSW debut earlier this year. In it, Hannah, a young fashion designer who seems fine on the surface but secretly struggles with debilitating self-doubt begins to see her health decline...

The Halloween season is in full swing, and streamers Disney+ and Hulu get in on the spooky season fun with today’s announcement of the return of fan-favorite Huluween and Hallowstream seasonal programming. The lineup promises to deliver Halloween fun for the whole family.

Over the next several weeks, viewers looking for every level of scare (including the not-so-scary) will be able to stream highly-anticipated new titles like Disney’s Haunted Mansion, The Boogeyman, “American Horror Stories,” Appendage, The Mill, Marvel Studios’ Werewolf by Night in Color, and beloved classics like Hocus Pocus, The Omen, The Craft, and more as they get in the spirit of the season.

For its sixth outing, the Huluween library will be packed with new titles throughout the month ranging from the new animated “Fright Krewe’‘ series, to frightful films that include No One Will Save You. Disney’s Hallowstream teases spooky fun for the entire family,...

Susan Sarandon, playing the U.S. Secretary of State Alaska Adams, gets the better of Bryan Brown, as the Australian prime minister, in a fast-paced verbal duel that represents the first footage from the Sean Penn-produced satirical comedy series “C*A*U*G*H*T.”

An elite team of Aussie soldiers is sent to an island nation to retrieve a secret file that has gone astray. Mistaken for Americans, they are captured by freedom fighters and produce a hostage video that goes viral. When the soldiers achieve celebrity status on social media, they realize that being caught might just be the best thing that could’ve happened to them.

“C*A*U*G*H*T” explores themes of identity, fame, and the absurdity of the viral age. “Why can’t we comedically deconstruct the intellectual ideas that humanity is facing right now?” says Kick Gurry who directs, produces and stars in the six-part series.

Exclusive: Stan has ordered a trio of original drama series as part of its content boss Cailah Scobie has called “a massive week” for the Australian streamer.

We can reveal Stan has commissioned Bluey producer Ludo Studio to make eight-part road series Thou Shalt Not Steal, and also ordered coastal mystery thriller Exposure and Invisible Boys, a contemporary drama about a closeted gay teenager in small-town Western Australia. A trio of UK-based international distributors have signed on for the shows.

Stan has been working closely with international partners as it builds out its slate, with Deadline in the past year revealing comedy series C*A*U*G*H*T, which stars Sean Penn and Matthew Fox, and epic family drama Prosper, developed with Lionsgate.

“The shows are representative of our entire slate,” Stan Chief Content Officer Scobie said of the new originals in an exclusive interview with Deadline. “We back distinctive voices and tell Australia...

Logies Load Up On ‘The Twelve’, ‘Colin From Accounts’

Australia’s annual celebration of TV this weekend named Sam Neill as the country’s most popular actor for his role in courtroom drama series “The Twelve.” The Foxtel and Binge show was the numerical winner on the evening in a tie with Binge’s “Colin From Accounts.” Both shows picked up a trio of awards. Sonia Kruger was named Australia’s most popular TV personality for her roles on “The Voice,” “Dancing With the Stars” and “The Masked Singer.”

2023 Logies Winners List

Gold Logie for most popular personality on Australian TV: Sonia Kruger, “The Voice,” “Dancing with the Star” and “Big Brother,” Seven Network

Bert Newton Award for most popular presenter: Tony Armstrong, “A Dog’s World” with Tony Armstrong, ABC

Silver Logie: Most popular Australian actor: Sam Neill, “The Twelve,” Foxtel & Binge

Silver Logie: Most popular Australian actress: Kitty Flanagan,...