Award-winning theatre director John Sheedy has signed on to make his feature film directorial debut with H IS FOR HAPPINESS. Screenwest and Screen Australia announced Thursday. The major Australian film will be shot in and around Albany in Western Australia’s Great Southern region later this year.
Based on the celebrated children’s book by Barry Jonsberg My Life As An Alphabet, published by Allen and Unwin, and a script by writer and producer Lisa Hoppe, tells the story of Candice Phee. Living in a small coastal town, we witness her determination to bring her family back from the brink after tragedy, all the while trying to deal with her own adolescence.
“I am thrilled to be returning to WA for my directorial debut,” said Sheedy, who won Best Short at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2017 with Mrs McCutcheon. “Having spent several years in Perth creating theatrical works for young people and families, it seems very fitting.
Working with producers Julie Ryan of Cyan Films and Tenille Kennedy, major production investment comes from Screen Australia in association with WARFF and Screenwest. It is financed and supported from Melbourne International Film Festival Premiere Fund and Film Victoria.
Casting is currently underway. Check out a clip from Sheedy’s short below.
