Australian Cinema-Goers Invited to Back “Ballad of a Sundowner” Film Production via Tax-Deductible Donations

# Tax deductible donations can be made at Australian Cultural Fund

Australian feature film Ballad of a Sundowner is calling on cinema-goers across the country to help strengthen Australia's film industry by supporting local productions through tax-deductible donations.

The film has launched a fundraising campaign through the Australian Cultural Fund (ACF), a platform operated by Creative Australia and established by the Australian Government to encourage public investment in Australian arts and culture. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

More than simply raising production finance, the campaign aims to demonstrate a new pathway for Australian cinema—one where audiences help bring Australian stories to life and, in doing so, create the very demand that encourages cinemas to screen more Australian films.

Directed by Matthew Holmes (The Legend of Ben Hall, The Cost, Fear Below), Ballad of a Sundowner is set in 1934 Australia during the aftermath of the Great Depression. The story follows war-scarred swagman Harry Mills, played by Joshua Jaeger, who becomes a hunted fugitive after an act of vengeance against a ruthless landowner. Pursued across the country by both authorities and civilians, Harry must confront his past, his morality, and his inevitable fate in a world that has left him behind.

Produced by RLC Motion Pictures, GrandLine Motion Pictures and Two Tone Pictures, the film intends to deliver a uniquely Australian story with international and domestic appeal.

Producer Russell Cunningham believes that audience participation is critical to rebuilding Australia's presence at the domestic box office.

"Australia was once at the forefront of world cinema," says Cunningham. "UNESCO recognises The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906), directed by Charles Tait, as the world's first full-length narrative feature film. At that time Australian films represented virtually 100 per cent of our domestic box office. Today, Australian films account for only around 2.6 per cent of the domestic box office."

Cunningham argues that one of the greatest challenges facing the local industry is not the ability to make quality films, but creating a genuine connection between Australian audiences and Australian productions.

"Australians consistently support international films at the cinema, currently at 85% of the total box office, yet too often our own stories struggle to attract anywhere near a comparable level of attention," he says. "When audiences become active supporters of Australian films before they are made, they develop a personal investment in seeing those films succeed. That creates a committed audience base and sends a powerful message to cinema exhibitors that Australians want to see Australian stories on the big screen."

"When Australians contribute to a film production through the Australian Cultural Fund, they're doing more than helping finance a production. They're helping build an audience. The stronger that audience becomes, the more confidence cinemas have in programming Australian films.

Donations create engagement, engagement creates attendance, and attendance helps secure a stronger future for Australian cinema."

The 'Ballad of a Sundowner' production is scheduled to commence principal photography in October 2026. Funds raised through the ACF campaign will support production, editing, post-production, sound design and colour grading.

"Australia has exceptional filmmakers, actors and crew," Cunningham adds. "What we need is a stronger culture of supporting Australian stories from the ground up. By backing films like Ballad of a Sundowner, Australians can help shape the kinds of movies that get made and ensure they reach cinema screens across the nation."

Donations can be made through the Australian Cultural Fund, with all contributions over $2 tax deductible.

Donate via ACF: Australian Cultural Fund

To download images, visit: Ballad of a Sundowner images

TO INTERVIEW PRODUCER RUSSELL CUNNINGHAM, OR DIRECTOR MATTHEW HOLMES, email marta@marksonsparks.com or call Marta Wiacek on 0409 291 785 or email max@marksonsparks.com or call Max Markson on 0412 501 601.

ABOUT RUSSELL CUNNINGHAM

Russell Cunningham is an American-born, Australian-based film and television producer, writer, and founder of RLC Motion Picture Entertainment based at Disney Studios Sydney since 2001, with a career in the entertainment industry dating back to the late 1970s. He began in US television on The Wallace & Ladmo Show, later moving to Hollywood where he worked in film exhibiting, marketing and promotion on major studio releases before relocating to Australia in the 1980s. There, he transitioned into cinema operations and eventually into independent film production, becoming known for producing and supporting Australian feature films such as Lenny Cahill Shoots Through, Birth of a Warrior, The Legend of Ben Hall, The Cost, Fear Below, Salty and many more.