UK-based sales company Bankside Films has added four new Australian features -- all shooting this summer or autumn -- to its slate.

They are Andrew Lancaster's Accidents Happen, Rupert Glasson's Coffin Rock, Ana Kokkinos' Blessed and Rachel Perkins' Bran Nue Dae.

Hilary Davis and Stephen Kelliher of Bankside have plenty of Australian experience because they were formerly the UK-based sales representatives for Australia's Beyond Films.

Kelliher told Screen: 'We have long-standing relationships post-Beyond with a lot of Australian producers.' Davis added: 'We saw a lot of material coming out of Australia, it wasn't a master plan but we've responded to the market. The level of writing has improved notably in recent years. I think it's the FFC's effect on the development process.'

Accidents Happen is shooting from early June to star Geena Davis, Joel Tobeck and Harrison Gilbertson. Hopscotch is on board to help with Australia/New Zealand distribution alongside the new Galvanized Film Group. (Bankside's sister company Head Gear Films is putting in production funding as well.) Anthony Anderson produces the black comedy, about a 15-year-old who is drawn to misadventure.

Blessed is being handled by Icon for Australia/New Zealand. Andrew Bovell (Lantana) wrote the script and Al Clark (Chopper, The Adventures Of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert) will produce. The story is about seven children and their mothers. The film is casting now for an September shoot, and Film Finance Corporation Australia has approved for funding.

Bran Nue Dae, based on a well-known musical romance in Australia, will shoot in September and partners include ABC TV, Screen West, Film Victoria, FFC, and Omnilab. Transmission has Australia/New Zealand rights. Producer Robyn Kershaw is best known for TV hit series Kath & Kim.

Coffin Rock will start shooting June 23 with All Interactive taking Australia/New Zealand rights. Wolf Creek veterans David Lightfoot and Ayisha Davies will produce. The cast features Robert Taylor, Lisa Chappell and Sam Parsonson. The thriller is about a pregnant woman with a stalker in a small fishing town.

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