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Disney’s Moana has found its new lead and that’s Catherine Laga’aia, a 17-year-old Australian actress. She will star alongside Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson who voiced the demigod Maui in the 2016 animated film.

Moana (2016) / Walt Disney Studios

Before the studio had cast Laga’aia, fans had been speculating whether original actress Auli’i Cravalho would return in the titular role. Later on, she revealed turning down the part due to issues with the accuracy of representation.

Disney Casts Catherine Laga’aia As Moana In Live-Action Movie

In a statement acquired by Variety, Catherine Laga’aia expressed her enthusiasm for being chosen to lead Disney’s live-action version of Moana. Revealing her “grandfather comes from Fa‘aala, Palauli, in Savai‘i” and her “grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai,” the actress takes pride in her heritage.

I’m really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites… I...

The Brutal Australian Thriller Guilt Starring Janet Shay (“Goodnight, Badtown”), Hayley Flowers (Nia), David Woodland (Mooncake and Crab) and Raelee Hill (“FarScape”, “Water Rats”). in Theaters September 26th and On Demand Now. Check Out this trailer:

A vigilante who targets child abusers begins to doubt her latest target’s guilt, after a mistake from her past is revealed in the thrilling Guilt, in select theaters this from 9/26 and On Demand from Gvn Releasing.

Jessie Fuller was a child psychologist. After becoming overwhelmed with the amount of child abuse in the world, and noting how few cases are prosecuted, she decided to take the law into her own hands and become a vigilante, targeting child sex offenders. Her latest target is Grace O’Connell, a woman involved in a child sex trafficking ring, but who avoided jail time after she convinced the judge that she was a victim of abuse herself, and...

Actor Craig Rees is to make his directorial debut with the creepy doll flick Annabellum: The Curse of Salem, which stars Liam Clarke, Andrew James Mead, Millward Chris, Monique Todd, Wass Javed, and Callum James.

The film – which is scheduled for release on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play; and Vudu in the USA on August 24th 2019 – tells the story of a vengeful witches curse from 1692 Salem released upon a family trapped in a historic English mansion in the form of an old doll. Check out brand new trailer below – and you can watch the teaser trailer right here.

Actor Craig Rees is to make his directorial debut with the creepy doll flick Annabellum: The Curse of Salem, which stars Liam Clarke, Andrew James Mead, Millward Chris, Monique Todd, Wass Javed, and Callum James.

The film – which is scheduled for release on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play; and Vudu in the USA this month – tells the story of a vengeful witches curse from 1692 Salem released upon a family trapped in a historic English mansion in the form of an old doll. Check out the poster and teaser trailer below:...

Margaret Morgan, Niki Aken and Taylor Litton-Strain.

Twelve female creators have been selected for a four-day genre masterclass, hosted by Bunya Productions and taught by Us writer/producer Raelle Tucker and Canadian director Jeremy Podeswa (Game of Thrones, The Handmaid’s Tale).

The Engendered Masterclass, supported as part of Screen Australia’s Gender Matters: Brilliant Careers program, will be held next week and see participants workshop their active projects directly with Tucker and Podeswa.

“Genre is what is really cutting through on TV at the moment, so the Engendered Masterclass funded by Screen Australia represents a tremendous opportunity for female creators,” said Bunya Productions’ Greer Simpkin.

“Jeremy and Raelle are masters of delivering premium genre, and furthermore when you think of the likes of The Handmaid’s Tale and Sacred Lies, they have made dramas that have proven the creative and commercial worth of female-led storytelling.”

“The 12 Australian creators selected...

Katy Perry paid tribute to the 22 victims killed in the terrorist bombing that followed an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena on Monday.

The singer, 32, performed on Thursday at an intimate show for only 90 people inside London’s Water Rats club, the same venue where she made her U.K. debut 10 years ago.

Katy Kats from around the world also had “the best seat in the house” thanks to Perry, who live-streamed the concert on YouTube.

“This week has been really hard. It sucked. It was hard for you guys and it was hard for me because we all love music,...

Katy Perry took a moment during her intimate show at London’s Water Rats club on Wednesday night to dedicate “Part of Me” to the victims affected by the concert bombing in Manchester. The singer fought back tears as she spoke about the tragedy — which took 22 lives — and also asked for a moment of silence […]...

Katy Perry took a moment during her intimate show at London's Water Rats club on Wednesday night to dedicate "Part of Me" to the victims affected by the concert bombing in Manchester.

The singer fought back tears as she spoke about the tragedy – which took 22 lives – and also asked for a moment of silence before she continued.

Watch: Katy Perry Talks Manchester Tragedy, Shares Message of Love With Ariana Grande Fans

"This week has been really hard. It sucked. It was hard for you guys and it was hard for me because we all love music," she said in a video posted online. "We all listen to the same music, and you think about it, and think that's my friend, that's my sister, that's my brother, that's my cousin, that's the person that loves music."

"It's awful, and whatever you can do to help, you should," she added. "And if you can't do anything that's fine, but...

The Midnight section at the Sundance Film Festival features films that don’t neatly fit into certain genres and seek to unsettle or frighten festival audiences. One of the films that will premiere in this section is the new thriller “Killing Ground,” about a young couple’s nightmarish weekend getaway. When Ian (Ian Meadows) and Sam (Harriet Dyer) arrive at an isolated campsite, they figured they would escape urban living for a while, but instead, they find an abandoned SUV and a tent. As night falls and the other campers don’t return, Ian and Sam grow increasingly uneasy, only to discover a distressed toddler wandering alone on the campground. The film also co-stars Aaron Pedersen (“Water Rats”) and Aaron Glenane (“Truth”). Watch an exclusive trailer for the film below.

Read More: 10 Surprises and Hidden Gems from the 2017 Sundance Lineup

The film is written and directed by Damien Power. He...

A still from Megan Riakos' directorial debut Crushed.

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Megan Riakos' directorial debut Crushed is set for a March 15 theatrical release followed by screenings nationally via cinema-on-demand service Fan-Force.

The new Australian thriller is direct from a successful international film festival run including Montreal World Film Festival, Miami International Film Festival and Napa Valley Film Festival..

The film, written and directed by Riakos (50-50, The Shed), is the story of a young woman (played by Sarah Bishop, doing double-duty as a producer alongside Full Clips's Robbie Miles) who returns home to the family vineyard after her father dies in an accident.

Riakos, an Aftrs graduate, recently completed the Professional Screenwriting program at UCLA, where she wrote two feature scripts over the course of a year, one of which was Crushed.

After returning home the director enlisted Bishop, with whom she'd made the short film Blue Bird in 2013, in addition...

The Aftrs Open Summer School — now in its third year — has expanded to 17 intensive courses, including a new six-week doco school and a six-week film school.

These introductory and intermediate film courses running between November and January are designed for intensive learning and the chance to upskill in the rapidly changing media landscape.

Amongs the screen industry speakers and lecturers are writer/director David Caesar (Nowhere Boys, Underbelly, Dirty Deeds, Mullet), cinematographer Ross Emery (The Wolverine, Woman In Gold, I Frankenstein), TV writer Vicki Madden (The Bill, Water Rats, Blood Brothers, McLeod.s Daughters and Foxtel drama The Kettering Incident), feature film director Elissa Down (The Black Balloon, Offspring) and documentary director/producer Madeleine Heatherton (Call Me Dad, Bondi Rescue, The Nest,. Last Chance Surgery, Outback Truckies).

Also screenwriter Ian David ( Police Crop: The Winchester Conspiracy, Police State, Joh's Jury, Blue Murder, Killing Time, 3 Acts of Murder, The Shark Net,...

Andrew Anastasios and Andrew Knight.s The Water Diviner won the top prize and the gong for best original feature at the 2015 Awgie Awards.

It was the first time a feature collected the Australian Writers' Guild's Major Award and the gong for original feature since 2012 when Tony Briggs and Keith Thompson won with The Sapphires.

The prize for feature film adaptation was shared by Brendan Cowell for Scarlett Productions'. Ruben Guthrie and Tommy Murphy for Matchbox Pictures' Holding the Man.

Matchbox and Full Clip.s Deadline Gallipoli was named best original TV miniseries, acknowledging the work of writers Jacquelin Perske (also script producer), Stuart Beattie, Shaun Grant and Cate Shortland.

FremantleMedia.s Wentworth Season 3, Episode 3 The Governor.s Pleasure by Stuart Page shared the TV series award with Endemol Australia.s Offspring Episode 511 by Michael Lucas. Jan Sardi and Mac Gudgeon took the award for best miniseries adaptation for...

Offspring actor Matthew Le Nevez is set to star in the new Endemol Shine production for Network Ten - Brock.

Le Nevez will bring to life the story of one of Australia.s greatest and most complex sporting heroes, Peter Brock.

The cast will also include Ella Scott Lynch as Bev Brock, Steve Bisley as Harry Firth and Natalie Bassingthwaite as Julie Bamford.

Le Nevez, best known for his role as Dr Patrick Reid in the multi-award winning drama Offspring, is no stranger to portraying real-life individuals.

He has already played Matthew Wales in the critically acclaimed The Society Murders, Australian cricket legend Dennis Lillee in Howzat! Kerry Packer.s War and Damien Parer in Parer.s War.

Le Nevez said it was a privilege to be involved in the Brock project..

"Growing up as a kid, I watched Peter conquer the mountain many times and now to be playing him,...

It is with great sadness the Awg reports that Ted Roberts, the highly respected television writer and producer, died of cancer on Monday February 23.. He was 83..

In a career spanning more than 40 years he wrote more than 500 hours of television drama: Skippy, Homicide, Elephant Boy, Boney, Lindsay.s Boy, Rush, Patrol Boat, A Country Practice, Willing and Able, G.P., Mission: Impossible, Water Rats, and Blue Heelers. In addition, he was supervising producer on Water Rats.

He is survived by three children, five grandchildren, and the publisher Pat Woolley, who loved him for 16 years.

Close friends, industry colleagues and family are invited to the wake to mourn and praise him, on Saturday at 2pm in Ultimo, Sydney. Email your interest to books@fastbooks.com.au before Friday 6pm for further details.

Grateful thanks to everyone at Wolper Jewish Hospital, Woollahra, who cared for him so tenderly the last 6 weeks of his life,...

More than 80 actors, 15 writers and 50 crew members have agreed to participate in Project One Shot, an innovative short film that will be filmed in one single take on the Gold Coast on September 3.

As well as contributing their time and services, most have agreed to each donate $100 to fund the project, the brainchild of experienced assistant director Darwin Brooks.

Brooks will direct and produce the short as a single 15-minute Steadicam shot which will follow actors Ian Stenlake and John Batchelor, both Sea Patrol alumni, as they thread their way through 30 interconnecting mini scenes, linked to one overall, comedic story, at Sanctuary Cove. There will be no pick-ups.

Among the other on-camera talent involved will be Brisbane Channel 7 presenter Liz Cantor, Joss Mcwilliam (Water Rats, Flying Doctors) and last year.s Big Brother housemate Ben Zabel,

Cast and crew will be required to rehearse many times with and without the...

Elizabeth Debicki will play a doctor who is linked to the cases of two girls who mysteriously disappear in the wilds of Tasmania 15 years apart and fights to clear her name in The Kettering Incident.

Matt Le Nevez has been cast as a detective who becomes a manipulative and dangerous antagonist to her character. in the eight hour series which starts shooting in Tasmania next month.

Foxtel commissioned the drama, the first collaboration between writer/producer Vicki Madden.s Sweet Potato Films and Porchlight Films.

The directors are Rowan Woods and Tony Krawitz, with scripts by Madden, Andrew Knight, Cate Shortland and Louise Fox. Andy Walker is the series producer.

Screen Australia and Screen Tasmania are investors in the $15 million production and BBC Worldwide has international sales rights.

Madden.s writing credits include Lynda La Plante's Trial and Retribution, The Bill, Blood Brothers, Sea Patrol, Water Rats, McLeod.s Daughters and The Flying Doctors.

The CW’s upcoming Supernatural spinoff has cast its two leads, and the actors chosen fit the usual network strategy of casting pilots with relatively unknown faces that have previous CW experience.

First to join the lineup is Australian actor Nathaniel Buzolic, who spent his early career appearing on popular Aussie dramas like Water Rats, All Saints, and Out of the Blue. He also hosted late night game show The Mint from 2007-2008. Buzolic made his stateside TV debut on The Vampire Diaries, playing the recurring role of villainous vampire Kol Mikaelson from 2012-2013, and he also briefly appeared on Diaries’ own spin-off The Originals late last year. He can next be seen guest-starring on an episode of ...

Click to continue reading ‘Supernatural’ Spinoff Casts Its Two Leads

The post ‘Supernatural’ Spinoff Casts Its Two Leads appeared first on Screen Rant.

Revelation Perth International Film Festival kicks off its sixteenth incarnation tonight at the Luna Cinema in Leederville, Perth, Western Australia and runs until 14 July 2013. The annual Festival opens tonight with the action packed Australian premiere of the documentary Burn. Special guests tonight will include award winning actress Alice Krige (Chariots Of Fire, Ghost Story, Star Trek: First Contact, The Sorcerer.s Apprentice) and Australian acting legend, Steve Bisley (Mad Max, The Great Gatsby, Water Rats) as Revelation.s Patron, alongside national and international filmmakers, musicians, screen artists, academics and distributors. Revelation has established itself as an international film festival like no other with its thoughtful and provocative program which boasts 118 film screenings with over 35 Australian premieres, making it fertile ground for independent filmmakers, distributors and discerning audiences. ScreenWest Chief Executive, Ian Booth said "ScreenWest has been a proud partner of Revelation for 16 years. During this time, Revelation has been a...

A supernatural thriller starring Justin Burford and Myles Pollard will be shot in Western Australia next year. Produced by Buzz Productions, in partnership with Movierockets Entertainment, Foreshadow was written by Movierockets. CEO Kris Lippert and will be directed by Carmelo Musca. (The Best in Australia, Zombie Brigade.) Foreshadow follows the story of Jesse Milton (Burford), a surfer enjoying the high life until he finds his latest girlfriend dead. When police close their investigation, Jesse decides to seek out the murderer himself - a process which sees him come face to face with demonic powers. It is Burford.s debut feature film, though the pop-star has already been recognised for his acting talents after earning five-star reviews for his lead role in the musical Rock of Ages. He was also nominated for a Helpmann Award and took out the Broadway Australia Award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical.

Of his involvement in Foreshadow,...

Wentworth, the new drama based on iconic Australian TV series Prisoner, starts production in Melbourne next week.

The 10-part series will be filmed on a purpose-built women.s prison, the Wentworth Detention Centre, where inmates and corrections staff will be forced to forge unlikely friendships to survive on the inside.

The cast includes Danielle Cormack (Underbelly Razor, Rake) as Wentworth.s latest arrival, suburban wife and mum Bea Smith; Nicole Da Silva (Rush, East West 101) as Gen Y lesbian Franky Doyle; Celia Ireland (Laid, All Saints) as earthy Liz Birdsworth; and Shareena Clanton as young Aboriginal woman Doreen Anderson.

Catherine McClements (Rush, Water Rats) and Kate Atkinson (Offspring, Rush) play Governor Meg Jackson and her deputy Vera Bennett. Aaron Jeffery (Underbelly Badness, McLeod.s Daughters) and Robbie Magasiva (Shortland Street) are corrections officers Matthew .Fletch. Fletcher and Will Jackson. Leeanna Walsman (Underbelly Badness) plays progressive and crusading lawyer Erica Davidson.

Charlotte Church has announced details of a new Ep. The singer will release a mini collection of songs titled One physically on October 15 via her own label Alligator Wine Records. Songs featured on the set include ballad 'The Rise', 'Say It's True', 'How Not To Be Surprised When You're A Ghost' and 'Beautiful Wreck' Church has spent the summer touring on the UK indie circuit and is booked to play a further four shows in September and October, including a gig at London's Monto Water Rats. The Ep follows up 2010's Back To Scratch, (more)...

Brooke Satchwell has revealed that landing a part in Packed to the Rafters was a "compliment". The 29-year-old Australian actress, who is best known for her past roles in Water Rats and Neighbours, said that she is very excited about joining the cast of the Channel Seven family drama as newcomer Frankie because it has been such a success. Satchwell told The Sunday Telegraph: "Acting is and always will be a passion. Well, that and the fact it is the highest-rating show in Australia, it's a fair compliment to be asked to join the team. The fact it provides a forum for things to be discussed means that it can delve into some more confronting areas." She also revealed that she has bonded with fellow new cast member Samantha Tolj, who (more)...

Roxane Wilson has revealed that her career destroyed her marriage. The Australian actress, who is best known for her roles in Home and Away, Water Rats and Stingers, said that she has had many "dark nights" during her quest to be a success in the Us acting industry. Wilson split from her husband, The Amazing Race host Grant Bowler, last year after almost ten years together. They have 8-year-old daughter Edie and 6-year-old Zeke. She told the Herald Sun that trying to crack the American market throughout her marriage was "bleak" at times, saying: "You get to a point where you're in so deep and you've stuck at it so long. I found it hard to justify going off and shooting 14-hour days with Grant out of the country. "I [still] have many dark nights when I go, 'Is this worth it?' If you pursue (more)...

Television writer and script producer Denise Morgan passed away on Saturday 25 June. Denise’s funeral will be held today at the Palm Chapel of Macquarie Park Crematorium (corner of Delhi and Plassey Roads, Macquarie Park), from 2:15pm.

With a career spanning 30 years, Morgan wrote for many Australian dramas including; Blue Heelers, Stingers, Phoenix, Water Rats, Medivac, Murder Call, Flying Doctors, Home and Away, Embassy, A Country Practice, Prisoner and many others.

A member of the Australian Writers’ Guild, the Awg reflected on Morgan’s contribution to the industry in a statement by outgoing Awg President Tim Pye: “Those of us who worked with Denise over the years, and there are very many of us, will remember her as a talented writer and teacher with a hugely generous spirit, a quick wit and an infectious smile. She will endure in our memories for many years.

Vale Denise. You will be very sadly missed.

Nicholas Bishop, Rose Byrne and Alex O'Loughlin are only several Australian actors making a dent on the small screen.

Here are eight actors who are going strong on TV:

  >> Nicholas Bishop, "Body of Proof"

A decade of consistent work in some quality Australian TV dramas, including "Water Rats" and "White Collar Blue" and indie features followed Bishop's 1996 graduation form the National Institute of Dramatic Art. But it was a recurring role as Detective Peter Baker in the long-running Aussie Soap "Home and Away" that brought him the profile and press which led to his casting in Warner/Fox's short-lived "Past Lives." This season he's starring opposite Dana Delany in NBC's "Body of Proof" as former cop-turned-medical examiner.

  >> Rose Byrne, "Damages"

Byrne must rate as the busiest Aussie working in Hollywood. She's currently filming "X-Men: First Class," recently completed the Judd Apatow-produced comedy "Bridesmaids" and stars opposite Patrick Wilson in "Insidious,...

“The Dinner Party” is an Australian independent feature that has enjoyed success on the festival circuit, having been an official selection at the Australian Film Festival and nominated for Best Debut Feature at Raindance in London in 2009. Apparently inspired by tragic true life events, the film marks the debut of writer director Scott Murden and has a few recognisable faces in the cast for soap opera fans, including Lara Cox (who featured in the popular series “Heartbreak High” and “Home and Away”) and Ben Seton (“Water Rats”). The film now arrives on region 2 DVD via Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment, coming with audio commentary from Murden. The film revolves around Angela (Lara Cox), a disturbed young woman whose turbulent relationship with long suffering boyfriend Joel seems to be heading for its end. Deciding to kill herself, she organises a dinner party for Joel and a handful of friends, planning to take at...

Sam Worthington is set to be crowned with the 2010 ShoWest male star of the year award at the event later in March. Worthington stars in "Avatar," the biggest film of all time as well as up "Clash of the Titans," which Warner Bros. Pictures unspools on April 2nd in 3D. Worthington's other credits include "Terminator Salvation," "Rogue" and "Harts War." Born in Surrey, England on August 2nd, 1976, Worthington graduated from Australia's National Institute of Dramatic Art and went on to play in the "Water Rats" TV series followed later by the critically acclaimed Australian flick "Bootmen." His other upcoming projects include "Last Night" with Keira Knightley...

Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou has expressed delight over her character's new romance storyline. Fans will soon see Nicodemou's alter ego Leah Patterson-Baker falling in love with new arrival Elijah Johnson, played by Water Rats actor Jay Laga'aia. Nicodemou told Sunrise: "There's a whole lot of love in the Bay and I get a love interest. It's nice and it's really fun and happy and comedy - a lot of warm and fuzzy moments. "And it's Jay Laga'aia and (more)...

Diana Vickers has confirmed a second London date on her first ever solo tour. In addition to her gig at the Water Rats on March 23, the former X Factor contestant will now play the Borderline in Soho on March 29. Tickets will be available via a pre-sale from Midday today before going on general release on January 26. Vickers releases debut single 'Once' (more)...

So You Think You Can Dance Australia judge Jason Coleman is the latest celebrity to film a cameo role on Neighbours, reports the Herald Sun. Coleman, a world renowned choreographer, has signed on with the soap to play himself for a four-episode run and will begin filming in late June. "I've played bit parts on E Street, Gp and Water Rats, so I'm not daunted to turn up and play myself," Coleman said. "I'm stoked (more)...

SYDNEY -- Kris Noble, former head of drama at Nine Network and most recently executive producer of the Australian Big Brother 4, has been appointed director of programs for Endemol Southern Star, the joint venture between Australia's Southern Star Group and international producer Endemol Entertainment, the companies said today. Noble was one of a group of executives who left the Nine Network under a management restructure at the end of 2002. At Nine, he was in charge of productions including dramas Water Rats and McLeod's Daughters; children's series Hi-5; and Australia's Funniest Home Videos.