Screenwest is pleased to announce that WA arts documentary, Stage Changers, is set to make its world premiere exclusively on streaming platform iwonder on Thursday, 10 February as an iwonder original.

Stage Changers is the directorial debut of WA filmmaker Ella Wright (Candidate Games, George Jones and the Giant Squid) and explores the themes of collaboration, artistic sacrifice and perseverance. Filmed across eight years, the film was produced by Janelle Landers of WA production company WBMC (RAMS, OtherLife) together with Ella.

It follows the journey of The Last Great Hunt, a collective of six passionate Western Australian theatre makers with a reputation for producing distinctive small-scale studio work. After an influential company in the UK invites them to pitch a large-scale performance, and with the renowned Perth Festival joining the list of those interested in the performance, the group looks to be on the brink of something truly remarkable. Funding challenges, personal injury, and subsequent production delays threaten to stop the show from ever reaching the stage; suddenly the group of aspirational artists, driven by hopes and dreams, are forced to ask themselves: will dreams be enough?

“My ambition was always to pair the personal and creative journeys of these artists with incredible performances that showcase the inner workings of their unique creative minds; exploring the adventure of stepping up your game when there is no linear path laid ahead.” said Ella Wright, Director and Producer.

In addition to support from Screenwest and Screen Australia, the documentary received donations via the Documentary Australia Foundation and in 2020 was commissioned by iwonder, an on-demand streaming service housing one of the world’s largest online collections of documentary films.

“Stage Changers offers a rare and intimate glimpse behind the curtain with some of Australia’s bravest and most creative performers, as they take on the biggest challenge of their careers. As the group’s creative director literally suffers for his art, as he battles through a debilitating back injury to keep the production alive, the cast and crew pull together to produce a piece of performance art on par with some of the most captivating and creative productions to emerge from Australia and sit comfortably on the world stage.” said James Bridges, iwonder CEO.

“The Last Great Hunt’s eight-year-long artistic journey has been captured in a personal and compelling way by Ella, which speaks volumes of her ability as a filmmaker to work closely with her documentary subjects.” said Paul Williams, Screenwest Documentary Manager.

In the leadup to Stage Changers’ premiere, Ella has launched a brand new production company, Tiny Light Films, dedicated to creating uplifting and heartfelt original stories across documentary, drama, children’s & screen arts practice.

Stage Changers will be streaming on iwonder from Thursday, 10 February, which is currently available in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia through its iOS and Android apps, Apple TV, Android TV and at www.iwonder.com.

Production Credit: Stage Changers is a WBMC and Tiny Lights Films production. Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest and Lotterywest, financed with the assistance of Documentary Australia Foundation. Local distribution and international sales by iwonder.

The Last Great Hunt’s Arielle Gray and Tim Watts. © iwonder

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