Glendyn Ivin starts shooting Last Ride today in South Australia's Flinders Ranges.

The film stars Matrix and Lord Of The Rings veteran Hugo Weaving as a dad on the run with his son (played by Tom Russell) as they venture 'deeper into the outback and deeper into trouble.' The cast also features Anita Hegh and John Brumpton.

Nick Cole and Antonia Barnard produce and have been one of the first film-making teams to finance their film through Australia's new Producer Offset initiative with Screen Australia (formerly the FFC), Film Victoria, South Australian Film Corporation and the Adelaide Film Festival.

Madman has Australasian distribution rights. ContentFilm International will handle all other world rights.

Ivin previously directed the Cannes Palme d'Or winning short Crackerbag in 2003.

The script is by Mac Gudgeon basd on the novel by Denise Young.

Greig Fraser will serve as DoP.

'I feel so lucky to be embarking on this project surrounded by the most talented, supportive and inspiring cast and crew.' said Ivin. 'The script is full of life and ready to go. Last Ride promises to be a rewarding experience for us all.'

Jamie Carmichael, president of ContentFilm International, added: 'Glendyn, Nicholas and Antonia have found some extraordinarily beautiful locations for the shoot and a really wonderful young actor in Tom Russell to play opposite Hugo Weaving as his son. We're all set to bring the power of the script to the screen.'