Verdict to hand down Geelong-shot film

A FILM distribution company relaunched in Geelong will shoot their next project in the city as well as raise money to assist children with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Verdict Film Group was originally founded by Charles “Bud” Tingwell, with its catalogue of films including Muriel’s Wedding, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Australia.

The company’s new president Cameron Miller now calls Geelong home and is basing Verdict here, and revealed the coming on-screen and off-screen projects at a launch at a private residence in Newtown on Monday this week.

Pinball, a Australian feature film with never-before-seen footage of gangster Mark “Chopper” Read, will be the first vehicle for the company.

Written and directed by Matt Holcomb and featuring John Jarratt (Wolf Creek), the revived project will begin filming in Geelong and Colac in September and belatedly grants Read (who died in 2013) his final wish; to play a gangster on the big screen.

Jarratt spoke at Monday’s launch, along with Pinball editors Trevor Holcomb and Matt Holcomb and Shaun Miller Foundation chief executive officer Niika Daria.

Verdict Film Group plans to reinvigorate the local film industry with meaningful stories that support a cause close to home for Miller.

The distribution company will donate most of its yearly proceeds to building houses for families with children with childhood CHD.

Mr Miller lost his son Shaun at age 17 to CHD.

10 years ago and launched the Shaun Miller Foundation in honour of his son.

Through Verdict, he hopes to continue supporting families just like his own.

“70 per cent of the distribution profits will go back to the Shaun Miller Foundation to build cardiac care homes for parents and families who have lost children to CHD,” Mr Miller said.

“The homes will operate as a retreat for families with CHD children going through surgeries and treatments as well as families who have suffered a loss being supported with grief therapy.”

The Verdict team includes vice president and Shaun Miller Foundation board chair Alan Finney.

Formerly managing director of Village Roadshow and vice president of Walt Disney Buena Vista, Mr Finney has directed and released more than 500 motion pictures including Mad Max, Romper Stomper and Pirates of the Caribbean.

The team also includes executive producer Antony I Ginnane (High Tide, The Light Horsemen, Never Too Late), Scott Goldman (My Sister’s Keeper), US sales agent Michael Katchman (Platoon, Caddyshack, Dances with Wolves) and TV producer Ian McFadyen (The Comedy Company).