Undertow: developing and financing an arthouse feature

Bringing Undertow to the cinemas is a ten year labour of love and patience. Producer Lyn Norfor takes us from development to the last financial obstacle.

We are launching an occasional series which looks at indy productions of fine films in detail. Undertow remained true to itself through long development and challenging financial obstacles to a release in early 2020. Emerald Production links three very different women into an excellent team which learnt a lot from the experience. Here we cover the story from inception to completion of the film. 

In 2009,  Lyn Norfor, Prue Williams and Sheila Jayadev came together at the Centre for Screen Business in the Australian Film Television and Radio School. It was a rigorous training environment which emphasised the need for working together and the value of new business models.

Unlock Padlock Icon

Unlock this content?

Access this content and more

David Tiley was the Editor of Screenhub from 2005 until he became Content Lead for Film in 2021 with a special interest in policy. He is a writer in screen media with a long career in educational programs, documentary, and government funding, with a side order in script editing. He values curiosity, humour and objectivity in support of Australian visions and the art of storytelling.