Locals Light Up with Bendigo Bank
John Caruso discovers coastal creatives crafting a cinematic revolution. The stage is set for ShowdownMAX!
There’s a cinematic revolution quietly unfolding in our own backyard. It’s a tale that could rival any Hollywood script: a tale of ambition, community spirit, and the audacious dream of transforming this laid-back coastal region into Australia’s next film hub. At the heart of this narrative stands Dan Munday, a bloke whose journey from the Sunny Coast to the hills of Hollywood and back again reads like a blockbuster. The co-founder of Sunny Coast Showdown cut his teeth on some of the world’s biggest reality TV shows such as Survivor and The Apprentice. Now, he’s channelling that expertise into nurturing homegrown talent.
“The dream has always been to build a sustainable industry on the Coast, employing thousands of people, like the Gold Coast or even Hollywood – without the traffic,” Dan jokes. “We’re not the first, or the only ones trying to make that happen, but we have great momentum.”
For the past three years Sunny Coast Showdown has spread all its resources across multiple short films in an effort to discover and develop local talent and connect the film community. Now in its fourth year, the award-winning formula will give rise to ShowdownMAX, an evolution that’s set to shake up the local film scene by going ‘all in’ to focus considerable resources on a single, commercially viable project. The stakes are high, with up to $250,000 to produce the winning project. It’s a bold move, one that’s already turning heads in the industry and Jon Coghill, Dan’s partner in crime and co-founder of Sunny Coast Showdown, said it would attract national attention.
“Fortunately it’ll be available exclusively to film makers on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
But it’s not just about the money. ShowdownMAX is partnering with the big guns with heavy hitters from Australia’s TV and film industry to help develop, produce, and ultimately sell, the winning project. It’s a level of support that could catapult the Sunshine Coast into the national spotlight. This David vs Goliath narrative – the Sunshine Coast taking on established film hubs – is compelling. But what’s truly fascinating is the grassroots for-the-people-by-the-people approach. Showdown started with a mere $40,000, much of it out of the founders’ own pockets and the invaluable and unyielding support of the non-profit Sunshine Coast Screen Collective. Now it’s financially backed by Screen Queensland, both local councils and its principal sponsor Bendigo Community Bank Sunshine Coast. Toby Bicknell, director of Bendigo Community Bank Sunshine Coast, said they believed in backing bold ideas that make a real impact.
“We’ve proudly sponsored Sunny Coast Showdown with not just production funding, but also a fully equipped production unit truck, lighting van and 4wd support vehicle, game-changing resources for local filmmakers,” he said.
This investment in infrastructure is crucial to build a sustainable industry. The Showdown community envisions a future where the region isn’t just a beautiful backdrop, but a thriving hub of film production. The ripple effects of this initiative could be far-reaching. A successful film industry doesn’t just employ actors and directors; it creates jobs for caterers, tradies, hoteliers, and countless others. It’s an economic engine that could transform the region. But perhaps the most inspiring aspect of ShowdownMAX is its emphasis on local talent. While the initiative is open to bringing in star power, the focus is squarely on showcasing what the Sunshine Coast has to offer.
Jacqui Feeney, CEO of Screen Queensland said that ShowdownMAX was designed to propel Queensland’s screen industry forward by backing one standout pitch project with commercial potential for enhanced development.
“This program provides practitioners from the Sunshine Coast with the professional guidance, funding and industry access needed to take their work to the next level,” she said. “Screen Queensland is proud to support initiatives that champion homegrown talent and showcase the incredible opportunities available in Queensland.”
In the end, ShowdownMAX is more than just a film competition. It’s a declaration that the Sunshine Coast is ready for its close-up, and a reminder that sometimes, the most compelling stories are the ones happening right in our own backyard.
To submit a script, become a sponsor or find out more, visit the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective and Sunny Coast Showdown websites and social pages.
www.sunnycoastshowdown.com.au
