The directors of three of the most highly acclaimedAustralian films of recent years, Ana Kokkinos, Rowan Woods and Ray Lawrence,are named within the country's upcoming slate of financed but still-to-be-madefilms.

The Book OfRevelation, Ana Kokkinos's second film after Head On, and Little Fish,Rowan Woods' second film after The Boys,are being represented internationally by Content International and Myriadrespectively.

Production company April Films has held on to all rights onthe other film, Jindabyne, to bedirected by Ray Lawrence, whose two previous films were Bliss and Lantana. Whilewilling to appoint a sales agent now, April will be especially mindful of theimpact any deal has on investor returns, because it is the latest entity intenton inspiring Australia's financial community to include film investment withina balanced portfolio.

Kokkinos has adapted UK author Rupert Thomson's novel The Book Of Revelation with scriptwriterAndrew Bovell who, coincidentally, also wrote Lantana. This time around Lawrence is directing a script by BeatrixChristian, inspired by a Raymond Carver story. Al Clark is producing Revelation and Catherine Jarman isproducing Jindabyne.

Jacquelin Perske wrote LittleFish, which is being produced by Vincent Sheehan, Liz Watts and RichardKeddie. On board are Cate Blanchett, Martin Henderson, Sam Neill and HugoWeaving.

Among the Australian films now in post-production areseveral privately financed low-budget films by first-time directors. Thislatest collection of stick-your-neck-out filmmaking includes Modern Love, Affair and 3 The Hard Way, which includes SamWorthington and Steve Bastoni in the cast.

The most disappointing production news out of New Zealandlately was, of course, the postponement of shooting on director Vincent Ward's River Queen. Doubts persist aboutwhether actors Samantha Morton and Kiefer Sutherland will return and productioncan resume.

The other big budget Kiwi pic, Perfect Creature, directed by Glenn Standring (The Irrefutable Truth About Demons) and starring Dougray Scott andSaffron Burrows, thankfully wrapped without incident.

On the runaway film front, the biggest in the region is The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, TheWitch And The Wardrobe. New Zealand born director, Andrew Adamson, hasreturned home to make the CGI/live action picture. The project is a jointventure between Walden Media and Walt Disney Studios.

The production offshoot of the World Wrestling Entertainmentempire is gearing up to shoot two US action features, The Marine and Eye Scream Man,in Queensland's Warner Roadshow Studios this year. WWE Films president JoelSimon is working with local producer Matt Carroll.

For full Australian production listings, click HERE

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