- Cook Government contributed $1.9 million towards production via Screenwest, Lotterywest and the Western Australian Regional Screen Fund (WARSF)
- Stan partnered with Hollywood studio Lionsgate and Jungle Entertainment to film comedy crime thriller in Kimberley region, benefitting local community and economy
- American actor Ben Feldman(Superstore, Silicon Valley, Mad Men) leads the cast in TV series inspired by true events, with regional WA as backdrop
Population 11, the first Stan Original Series to be filmed in Western Australia, will premiere on 14 March.
Population 11 is a 12-episode series about a man who goes missing from a tiny outback town of only 12 residents (11 after the missing man) and his estranged son (played by Ben Feldman), who journeys from the United States to find him.
Filming of the quirky comedy crime thriller series took place in Derby in the Kimberley region of WA with the Cook Government contributing $1.9 million towards production via Screenwest, Lotterywest and the Western Australian Regional Screen Fund (WARSF).
Produced by Jungle Entertainment, Population 11 was created by AACTA Award-winner
Phil Lloyd (The Moodys, Review With Myles Barlow), as showrunner working with a team of writers and directors, including WA writer Zoe Pepper (The Big Spaghetti, Birthright) and WA director Ben Young (Hounds of Love, The Twelve). The series was executive produced by Trent O’Donnell (No Activity, New Girl), Chloe Rickard and Jason Burrows (No Activity, Wakefield), with Bridget Callow-Wright (No Activity: The Night Before Christmas) and WA producer Melissa Kelly (Upright) producing.
Population 11 joins the ranks of other high-profile WA Regional Screen Fund (WARSF) productions, including Sweet As, Blueback and Mystery Road: Origin.
The WARSF has also supported popular documentaries Ningaloo Nyinggulu for ABC, Aussie Gold Hunters for Discovery and Shipwreck Hunters Australia for Disney+, all taking advantage of the stunning WA landscapes.
The WA Regional Screen Fund (WARSF) is designed to attract screen projects to undertake production in regional Western Australia, encouraging regional film industry activity, building local capacity and contributing to the liveability and vibrancy of regional WA communities.
Invisible Boys, filming in Geraldton, and We Bury the Dead, in the Great Southern, are two further productions supported through the WA Regional Screen Fund and will commence filming in 2024.
Comments attributed to Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
“The Cook Government’s significant investment in our screen industry has raised the profile of WA as both a source of great talent and a sought-after filming destination.
“Supporting these kinds of productions boosts our regional communities, provides opportunities for local talent and creatives, and places WA on the map for international audiences.
“It is pleasing to know Western Australian locations are being shared with global viewers when they get to watch these exciting new productions.”
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
“The Kimberley region has already proven itself as a stunning backdrop, hosting the critically acclaimed series Mystery Road.
“We also know the outstanding impact projects such as this have on our local communities, including job creation and lasting economic impacts.”
As stated by Kimberley MLA Divina D’Anna:
“Showing our beautiful and treasured Kimberley landscape to the world brings me great pride.
“The Kimberley community already knows how special it is here, and now the world will get a glimpse too.”
