Australia's Film Finance Corporation (FFC) is backing comedy Let's Get Skase, which draws on events surrounding Australian media mogul Christopher Skase who is currently sheltering from legal action in Majorca, Spain.

Skase headed the Qintex group, former owner of Australia's Seven Network and aspiring owner of MGM, which collapsed with debts exceeding A$1.5bn in 1992.

The film, set to go into production in August, is about a group of boys who become men in the process of trying to bring Skase back to Australia to answer charges. Despite its fictional content, the film's producers, John Tatoulis and Colin South from Media World Features, have had the script carefully vetted to guard against defamation and contempt of court.

Matthew George will direct from a script which he co-wrote with Lachy Hulme, who will also star. Trident Releasing will handle international sales on the film and Village Roadshow has signed up for Australian rights.

The FFC is also backing Stella Productions' Gaugin, inspired by the French painter, to be directed by Mario Andreacchio from a script by John Goldsmith. Andreacchio is also producing with Georges Campana. France's Le Studio Canal Plus is handling international sales on the film. REP will distribute in Australia.