Lisa Shaunessy: Last News

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefAustralian production and distribution firm Arcadia has begun development of non-fiction best-selling book “Stephanie Alexander and Maggie Beer’s Tuscan Cookbook” as a feature film.Envisaged in the style of “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” or “Under the Tuscan Sun,” the feature film is currently in development and is being written by Australian film and television writer Katherine Thomson (Amazon TV series “A Place to Call Home,” feature documentary “Women He’s Undressed,” StudioCanal’s upcoming film “Helena!”).Written by two of Australia’s most celebrated cooks and food writers, and published by Penguin, “Tuscan Cookbook,” took readers on a journey, beginning in 1977 when the pair left Australia to open a cooking school in a villa outside of Siena. It records their time in Italy, the dishes cooked, the places visited, people who made it happen and the guests who joined for the ride.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefOdin’s Eye Entertainment has boarded “In Vitro,” an elevated sci-fi thriller starring “Succession” star Ashley Zukerman (“The Lost Symbol,” “Fear Street”) and Talia Zucker (“Lake Mungo”). It is co-directed by Tom McKeith and Will Howarth whose debut feature “Beast” was nominated for best first feature at the Toronto Film Festival in 2015.

Sasha Urban editorStreaming service Shudder has acquired the rights to Australian horror-comedy film “Sissy” ahead of its premiere at SXSW in the Midnighters section on Friday.“Sissy” tells the story of young friends Cecilia (Aisha Dee) and Emma (Barlow), who were inseparable until Alex (Emily De Margheriti) showed up. After Emma and Cecilia run into each other 12 years later, Emma invites Cecilia for weekend at a secluded cabin in the mountains, where Alex turns Cecilia’s weekend into a living nightmare.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentLevelK has boarded the buzzed-about Australian horror movie “Sissy” which have its world premiere at SXSW’s Midnighters section. The company is handling international sales on “Sissy,” while XYZ films is representing North American rights.Penned and directed by Hannah Barlow (For Now) and Kane Senes (Echoes of War, For Now), the film stars Aisha Dee (The Bold Type) as Cecilia, aka Sissy, a twenty-something girl whose best friend is Emma.

EXCLUSIVE: Succession and The Lost Symbol actor Ashley Zukerman leads feature sci-fi thriller In Vitro which has just wrapped filming in regional New South Wales, Australia.