- Richard Vilensky named recipient of West Coast
Visions 2026 for debut feature Everyone's Having a Good Time But You
- Cook Labor Government providing $1 million in
production funding to bring uniquely WA story to screen
- Initiative supports distinctive WA stories and
emerging filmmakers to reach global audiences
- Cook Labor Government fostering a vibrant and
creative economy
Western Australian writer
and director Richard Vilensky has been named the recipient of the prestigious
West Coast Visions 2026 initiative, securing production funding for his debut
feature film Everyone's Having a Good
Time But You.
Delivered by Screenwest
with support from the Cook Labor Government and Lotterywest, West Coast Visions
is one of Australia's leading initiatives for emerging filmmakers, providing
talented Western Australian directors with the opportunity to bring their first
theatrical feature film to life.
The initiative provides
up to $1 million in funding for the successful project, with a further $500,000
pre-committed by Screen Australia taking funding for the production up to $1.5
million.
Everyone's Having a Good
Time But You is a dark comedy that follows the owner of a struggling furniture
business who, on the eve of his daughter's wedding, is forced into increasingly
desperate measures to keep his family in the dark, stay out of jail and ensure
the big day goes ahead.
The feature will be
produced by Shane McNeil, Matty Limpus, Grady Habib (Sandbox Productions), Ari
Harrison (Sanctuary Pictures), with acclaimed producers Julie Ryan (Late Night
with The Devil, Hotel Mumbai, Red Dog) and Jamie Bialkower (Jump Street Films)
attached as Executive Producers.
Production of Everyone's
Having a Good Time But You is scheduled to commence in Western Australia in
mid-2027.
Since its inception in
2005, West Coast Visions has helped launch the careers of Western Australian
filmmakers while creating local jobs, developing industry capability and
showcasing distinctive WA stories to audiences around the world.
Previous supported
projects include Sweet As, Birthright, How to Please a Woman, Last Train to
Freo, Proclivitas and End to End.
Comments attributed to Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk:
"West
Coast Visions has become one of the country's premier pathways for emerging
filmmakers, helping Western Australians transform bold creative ideas into
feature films with national and international reach.
"The Cook
Labor Government is proud to support initiatives like West Coast Visions
through Screenwest because investing in local storytellers strengthens our
screen industry, creates skilled jobs and ensures uniquely Western Australian
stories continue to be shared with audiences around the world.
"Congratulations to Richard
Vilensky and the entire creative team behind Everyone's Having a Good Time But
You. I look forward to seeing this exciting project come to life when
production begins next year."
