Toni Collette’s Directorial Debut ‘The Best Of’ Among 75 Projects Backed by Screen Australia

Toni Collette will make her feature directing debut with “The Best Of,” her screen version of Graeme Simsion’s bestselling novel, which is one of 75 projects sharing more than AUD16.9 million ($11.7 million) in production and development money from Screen Australia.

Collette, an Emmy and Golden Globe winner, produces alongside Christopher Simon. The story centers on two ex-lovers who come back into each other’s lives after spending decades apart, only to find old feelings stirring with messy and mixed results. Screen Australia made a major production investment in association with Screen NSW. Kismet handles local distribution and Cornerstone holds international sales.

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The round, announced Tuesday, covers features, series and shorts.

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“Australian storytellers continue to captivate audiences with their creativity, originality and distinctive perspectives. This latest round of funding supports an exciting range of projects from emerging creatives forging new paths to established voices exploring new creative territory. Screen Currency 2026 found that local stories matter deeply to Australians, and these projects will deliver on the authenticity and ambition that audiences have come to expect,” said Louise Gough, Screen Australia’s director of narrative content.

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