Sunstar Entertainment
Sunstar Entertainment is an independent film production and talent management company,[1] founded in 2011 by Andrew Fraser and Shahen Mekertichian. Sunstar Entertainment operates out of Sydney, Australia. The company has a heavy focus on producing films and television shows based on true Australian stories, including the 2016 film Lion, directed by Garth Davis.[2]
Film Projects
[edit]In 2012, Sunstar optioned the rights to Indian-born Australian businessman Saroo Brierley’s book, A Long Way Home,[3] which was co-written by Australian author Larry Buttrose. In 2013, Sunstar Entertainment partnered with See-Saw Films to adapt the book into a film titled Lion, directed by Garth Davis and starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara and David Wenham.[4] Lion was co-produced by Sunstar Entertainment, See-Saw Films, Aquarius Films, Screen Australia and The Weinstein Company.[5] Founders of Sunstar Entertainment Andrew Fraser and Shahen Mekertichian were Executive Producers on the film.[6]
The film premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival where it received early Oscar buzz[7][8] and was released for international distribution by The Weinstein Company on November 25, 2016.[9]
In 2013 Sunstar Entertainment was announced as a producer on True Spirit, a film about the true story of Australian sailor Jessica Watson who became the youngest person to sail solo around the world non stop at the age of 16.[10] The film is due to be released in 2020.[11]
In 2015, Sunstar Entertainment optioned the rights to the story of Australian athlete John Maclean.[12] John became a paraplegic following a truck accident and was the first person in a wheelchair to compete in the Ironman World Championship and swim the English Channel.[13]
Talent Management
[edit]Sunstar Entertainment represents a number of Australian sporting identities and celebrities, including around the world sailor, Jessica Watson[14] and Australian cricketer, Mitchell Starc[15] and Australian sportswoman Ellyse Perry.[16][17]
References
[edit]- ^ "Sunstar Entertainment". Screen Australia. Screen Australia. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ "Sunstar options story of a paraplegic who beat the odds". if.com.au. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- ^ "Dads strike Hollywood gold with film idea". Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- ^ "Hot projects on Screenbase". Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (2016-08-17). "Weinstein Co's 'Lion' To Roar As London Film Festival Gala Presentation". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
- ^ Davis, Garth (2016-11-25), Lion, retrieved 2016-10-04
- ^ "Lion hailed as an Oscar contender". Retrieved 2016-11-06.
- ^ Jaafar, Ali (2016-07-26). "Toronto To Open With 'The Magnificent Seven'; 'La La Land', 'Deepwater Horizon' Among Galas & Presentations". Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- ^ "Rooney Mara, David Wenham join survival tale 'Lion'". Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- ^ "Filmmakers ready to set sail on Jessica Watson movie". DailyTelegraph. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
- ^ Spillane, Sarah (2000-01-01), True Spirit, retrieved 2016-10-04
- ^ "Sunstar options story of a paraplegic who beat the odds". if.com.au. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- ^ "About". John Maclean. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- ^ "A wet Jessica Watson with her manager Andrew Fraser - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2011". www.sail-world.com. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- ^ "Accredited Agents of Current Players". www.auscricket.com.au. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
- ^ Saltau, Chloe. "All-round Ellyse very, Perry good". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
- ^ "Ellyse Perry kicked and punched while playing soccer and told she is too soft to play the sport". DailyTelegraph. Retrieved 2016-11-06.