Dreamboat Charts Its Next Course with Screen Australia Narrative Funding

Denim Pictures is thrilled to announce that Dreamboat, the upcoming feature comedy produced by Courtney Botfield and Kate Riedl, has received further development support from Screen Australia through the agency’s Narrative Content Fund - one of Australia’s key development initiatives supporting distinctive, audience-focused projects with strong market potential.

This marks the second time Screen Australia has backed the development of Dreamboat, continuing the project’s momentum as it moves toward its next draft and marketplace packaging phase.

Set against the spectacular backdrop of an Antarctic cruise, Dreamboat is a sharp, heartfelt comedy about friendship, reinvention and the messy, hilarious reality of growing older without growing apart. The film follows Suzy, a recently retired forensic accountant, who reluctantly embarks on a cruise with her best friend Val, only to find herself trapped at sea with her former college rival Diana.

The latest stage of development continues with writer Joan Sauers, whose emotionally rich and razor-sharp voice is helping shape the screenplay into a bold, globally resonant comedy for audiences hungry for female-led stories rarely seen on screen.

Denim is also excited to be working with renowned international story consultant Joan Scheckel on the next draft of the film. Scheckel is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading screenplay and story consultants, with credits including Little Miss Sunshine, Transparent, Silver Linings Playbook and Whale Rider. Her work has helped shape some of the most acclaimed character-driven films and television series of the past two decades.

“Dreamboat has always been about creating a comedy that speaks to women who are rarely centred on screen in this way,” said producers Courtney Botfield and Kate Riedl. “We’re incredibly grateful to Screen Australia for continuing to back the project and excited to be developing the film alongside such an extraordinary creative team.”

Dreamboat is being developed by Denim Pictures, the female-led Australian production company focused on commercially driven, globally resonant stories for film and television.

For more details, read the official Screen Australia media release here.