“Red Rock Run,” a heartwarming drama film about a girl with dyslexia who seeks to win her father’s attention by taking on an ultra-marathon, has been green-lighted for production later this year.
The film is by producer Miriam Stein and director, Cathy Randall, the duo behind “Hey Hey its Esther Blueburger.” The project was initiated by first time screenwriter Meg Shields, who wrote the first draft some 15 years before the project was finally funded.
The project is a Tama Films production. It was developed with the assistance of Screenwest and Lotterywest, Icon Film Distribution and Screen NSW.
It has attracted production funding from federal body Screen Australia, Screenwest, Lotterywest, the WA Regional Screen Fund, Spectrum Entertainment and Screen NSW. International sales are to be handled by Parkland Pictures. An Australian release is set through Icon Film Distribution.
It will shoot in Karratha, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The state has had a large slate of film and scripted TV series including “The Twelve,” Nicolas Cage-starring “The Surfer,” “Runt,” “Birthright” and “Population 11.” Other upcoming productions in the state include “Invisible Boys” and “We Bury the Dead.”
Casting for the lead role of 10-year-old Lucy is under way in the West Australia. It will be followed by a search for the 550 child supporting roles.
“The story is inspired by my experience in 1976 of running in the first kids’ team to enter the Black Rock Stakes, a 120 km marathon relay race to push a barrow of iron ore from Goldsworthy to Port Hedland in the Pilbara of Western Australia,” said Sheilds. “I’m excited to see the story of a young girl facing adversity and bravely undertaking a grueling journey of self-discovery in one of the most unique and magnificent environments in the world.”
“’Red Rock Run’ embodies the essence of Australian storytelling, offering international appeal and providing family audiences with a compelling insight into the human spirit,” said Screen Australia, director of content, Grainne Brunsdon.