Sunstar Entertainment is an independent film production and talent management company, founded in 2011 by Andrew Fraser and Shahen Mekertichian. Sunstar Entertainment operates out of Sydney, Australia. The company has a heavy focus on producing films and television shows based on true Australian stories, including the 2016 film Lion, directed by Garth Davis.
Film Projects
In 2012, Sunstar optioned the rights to Indian-born Australian businessman Saroo Brierley’s book, A Long Way Home, which was co-written by Australian author Larry Buttrose. In 2013, Sunstar Entertainment partnered with See-Saw Films to adapt the book into a film titled Lion, directed by Garth Davis and starring Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara and David Wenham. Lion was co-produced by Sunstar Entertainment, See-Saw Films, Aquarius Films, Screen Australia and The Weinstein Company. Founders of Sunstar Entertainment Andrew Fraser and Shahen Mekertichian were Executive Producers on the film.
The film premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival where it received early Oscar buzz and was released for international distribution by The Weinstein Company on November 25, 2016.
In 2013 Sunstar Entertainment was announced as a producer on True Spirit, a film about the true story of Australian sailor Jessica Watson who became the youngest person to sail solo around the world non stop at the age of 16. The film is due to be released in 2020.
In 2015, Sunstar Entertainment optioned the rights to the story of Australian athlete John Maclean. John became a paraplegic following a truck accident and was the first person in a wheelchair to compete in the Ironman World Championship and swim the English Channel.
Talent Management
Sunstar Entertainment represents a number of Australian sporting identities and celebrities, including around the world sailor, Jessica Watson and Australian cricketer, Mitchell Starc and Australian sportswoman Ellyse Perry.
References
- "Sunstar Entertainment". Screen Australia. Screen Australia. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- "Sunstar options story of a paraplegic who beat the odds". if.com.au. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- "Dads strike Hollywood gold with film idea". Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- "Hot projects on Screenbase". Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- Tartaglione, Nancy (2016-08-17). "Weinstein Co's 'Lion' To Roar As London Film Festival Gala Presentation". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
- Davis, Garth (2016-11-25), Lion, retrieved 2016-10-04
- "Lion hailed as an Oscar contender". Retrieved 2016-11-06.
- Jaafar, Ali (2016-07-26). "Toronto To Open With 'The Magnificent Seven'; 'La La Land', 'Deepwater Horizon' Among Galas & Presentations". Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- "Rooney Mara, David Wenham join survival tale 'Lion'". Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- "Filmmakers ready to set sail on Jessica Watson movie". DailyTelegraph. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
- Spillane, Sarah (2000-01-01), True Spirit, retrieved 2016-10-04
- "Sunstar options story of a paraplegic who beat the odds". if.com.au. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- "About". John Maclean. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- "A wet Jessica Watson with her manager Andrew Fraser - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2011". www.sail-world.com. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
- "Accredited Agents of Current Players". www.auscricket.com.au. Retrieved 2016-11-07.
- Saltau, Chloe. "All-round Ellyse very, Perry good". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
- "Ellyse Perry kicked and punched while playing soccer and told she is too soft to play the sport". DailyTelegraph. Retrieved 2016-11-06.