News

Constantine Costi and Nina Buxton named in IF Rising Talent 2026

April 28, 2026

Congratulations to Constantine Costi and Nina Buxton, who have been named in IF Rising Talent List for 2026! The list spotlights the next wave of creatives driving the local screen industry forward. See the full list HERE

Upswell acquires Nowra’s “My Grandfather’s Ghost”

April 23, 2026

Upswell Publishing has acquired world rights to My Grandfather’s Ghost, a narrative nonfiction title by Louis Nowra. Upswell has scheduled publication in February 2027. Read the full article HERE

Danny Ball wins 2026 New Play Award at Australian Theatre Festival

April 17, 2026

Co-Artistic & Executive Directors Mark Barford & Connor Delves announced Danny Ball as the winner of the 2026 New Play Award for LA MALATTIA. Danny will receive will receive a cash prize of $15,000 USD, development work with Co-Artistic Director Mark Barford, a publishing commitment from Playlab Theatre, and be presented as a staged reading as part of the Australian Theatre Festival NYC

Jane Campion to serve as Jury President at Taormina Film Festival!

April 2, 2026

JANE CAMPION will preside over the jury of Italy’s upcoming Taormina Film Festival that will run June 10-14 in the Sicilian sea resort. Read the full release HERE

INTER ALIA nominated for Olivier Awards

March 6, 2026

We are thrilled for Suzie Miller, who has earned a nomination for Best New Play for INTER ALIA; the same award the she took home in 2023 for PRIMA FACIE! See full list of nominees HERE

EPIC BUILDS now streaming on Channel 9!

March 6, 2026

Hosted by Adam Spencer, EPIC BUILDS goes behind the scenes of an industry that is challenging the rules of how we build. New episodes are released weekly on Channel 9!

Nina Buxton directs SEPERATED AT BIRTH

February 23, 2026

Comedian Nazeem Hussain will play a paramedic thrust into the world of co-parenting in a new comedy that has begun filming in Melbourne, directed by HLA client Nina Buxton. Read full article HERE

INSIDE wins at FCCA Awards!

February 13, 2026

INSIDE, written and directed by Charles Williams, has swept at the FCCA Awards! Winning Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Performance by Male Actor. Read the notice HERE

MEOW MEOW’S THE RED SHOES sweeps at Green Room Nominations

February 9, 2026

MEOW MEOW’S THE RED SHOES has garnered a total of 6 Green Room Award nominations! Nominations include HLA client, Kate Champion for Outstanding Direction. Read full list of nominees HERE

★ ★ ★ ★ for DOG PARK

February 6, 2026

Reviews are in for DOG PARK, featuring the work of HLA Director, Nina Buxton. The Guardian has given it a fetching review, “The series is paced and toned in quite a lovely, unprepossessing way by co-directors Matthew Saville and Nina Buxton, who imbue the drama with an earthy, unshowy accessibility” Read the full review HERE

LEVITICUS Review: “Tightly conceived, gripping queer horror”

January 29, 2026

Variety has given LEVITICUS a glowing review, calling it ”bound to earn a place in the pantheon of notable queer horror”. LEVITICUS features the work of HLA clients Tyson Perkins (Director of Photography) and Jed Kurzel (Composer). Read more HERE

★★★★☆ for EXTRA GEOGRAPHY

January 27, 2026

Reviews are in for EXTRA GEOGRAPHY! HLA client, Andy Commis was the Director of Photography. Read the review HERE

Nina Buxton’s BUBBA to screen at Flickerfest

January 21, 2026

Nina Buxton’s short film BUBBA will screen at Flickerfest this Saturday 24 Jan, 9pm. The screening is part of Best Of Australian Shorts 3, the 3rd of seven programmes featuring the best of Australian short films in competition. More info HERE

HLA sweeps at The Sydney Theatre Awards!

January 20, 2026

HLA clients had a hugely successful night at the Sydney Theatre Awards, PHAR LAP: THE ELECTRO SWING MUSICAL took home three awards, including Best Production of a Musical and Best Direction of a Musical for Sheridan Harbridge. GRIEF IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS also won three awards including Best New Australian Work, Best Mainstage Production and Best Design of a Mainstage Production. A big congratulations to all the winners and nominees.

KANGAROO becomes the highest-grossing local movie of the year!

December 9, 2025

After debuting in Australian cinemas in September, Kate Woods’ heartwarming KANGAROO quickly became the highest-grossing local movie of the year in the market. The comedy has grossed $6.3 million in Australia and New Zealand to date, and $8.5 million globally! Read the full article HERE

AACTA Nominees Announced!

December 8, 2025

Congratulations to all HLA clients nominated for AACTA Awards! See full list below!

Tony McNamara’s ‘MOSQUITO’ announced for Disney+

December 3, 2025

Nicholas Hoult and Daisy Edgar-Jones are set as the leads of Mosquito, a Hulu original series from Oscar-nominated writer Tony McNamara, which has received a six-episode straight-to-series order. Part of Disney+‘s UK original slate, the dark, wry comedy will stream on Disney+ internationally and Hulu in the U.S. Read the full article HERE