- $2 million Cook Government investment helps WA screenwriter get feature film greenlit for production
- Red Rock Run is the debut feature film of Western Australian writer Meg Shields
- The film will feature a soon-to-be-announced international star working alongside 220 local cast, crew and extras
- Production to commence in Karratha in the Pilbara later in 2024
Western Australian writer Meg Shields’ debut feature film, Red Rock Run, has been greenlit for production in the Pilbara later this year.
Inspired by Shields’ experience running in the first kids’ team of the iconic Black Rock Stakes in the Pilbara, the heartwarming family feature film follows 10-year-old Lucy, who is forbidden from attending the 1978 regional athletic trials as punishment for racing a delivery plane on a remote dirt airstrip. But with the help of her grandmother, she defies her Vietnam veteran father and enters the first kids’ team into the Red Rock Run, a gruelling 120-kilometre outback marathon race.
The project has received $2 million in funding through the WA Regional Screen Fund and Footloose Production Funding via Screenwest, demonstrating the Cook Government’s continued support to grow, develop and build the screen industry throughout Western Australia.
The WA Regional Screen Fund is designed to attract screen projects to undertake production in regional Western Australia to encourage regional film industry activity, build local capacity and contribute to the liveability and vibrancy of regional WA communities.
Red Rock Run will create 220 jobs for Western Australian cast, crew and extras, and is estimated to result in $5.9 million expenditure in the State, including $3.85 million regional expenditure.
Western Australian writer Meg Shields has teamed up with producer Miriam Stein and director Cathy Randall – the dynamic duo behind Hey Hey It’s Esther Blueburger.
Red Rock Run is the latest in a stream of television and film productions being produced in Western Australia, including The Surfer, Population 11, Birthright, Runt, and The Twelve, as well as the upcoming We Bury The Dead and Invisible Boys.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
“Reaching the point of having your feature film greenlit for production is a major achievement in the production process. I congratulate Meg Shields and her colleagues for reaching this milestone.
“This is another example of how the Cook Government is focused on investing in the Western Australian screen industry to support our Western Australian up-and-coming filmmakers to make their films locally, with local cast and crew.
“The recently announced construction of Western Australia’s new screen production facility is only one part of the Government’s broader commitment to invest in the State’s creative industries to diversify the economy.”
As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
“This production is great news for the Karratha community – bringing a bit of Hollywood to our beautiful region.
“Not only will it showcase our beautiful landscapes, it will also create jobs and diversify the economy.
“By having a strong economy for all Western Australians we are taking our State to the next level.”
