The booming local screen industry is headed to the top of the class, with Universal International Studios’ Matchbox Pictures high-concept comedy series Class Of ’07 secured for the State.
The eight-part half-hour comedy series is created, written, and directed by Kacie Anning and produced by Matchbox Pictures and Amazon Studios. The series will launch exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in Australia and in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Class of ’07 is one of 14 Australian Amazon Originals commissioned since 2019, and the fourth scripted local original.
Head of Screen NSW Grainne Brunsdon said the series will further position NSW as Australia’s filmmaking powerhouse and boost jobs and the economy.
“Securing Class Of ’07 through Screen NSW’s $175 million Made in NSW fund is another vote of confidence in the world-class ability of our local screen industry as it goes from strength to strength,” Ms Brunsdon said.
“This exciting comedy series will be filmed in and around Sydney and will translate directly into 117 jobs for local cast and crew with over $12,580,000 in economic benefits expected flow on to filmmakers and the wider economy, including work for many Sydney VFX houses.”
Matchbox Pictures’ managing director Alastair McKinnon said the studio was thrilled to have NSW Government backing to greenlight this exciting homegrown series.
“We are extremely grateful for the support of Screen NSW in helping us bring production of the hilariously original Class of ’07 to Sydney. This uproarious story of female friendship in the face of apocalyptic adversity is going to have audiences laughing all around the world and showcase some of NSW’s best locations,” Mr McKinnon said.
Class of ’07 is a comedy rollercoaster about a never-ending high school reunion with life and death stakes. When an apocalyptic tidal wave hits during the 10-year reunion of an all-girls high school, a group of women must find a way to survive on the island peak of their high school campus. Like Lord of the Flies in cocktail dresses, the series follows a group of former classmates, now freshly entangled in decade-old drama, as they attempt to survive not just the apocalypse, but each other.
Class Of ’07 includes an all-female ensemble of twelve Australian actors including Emily Browning (American Gods), Caitlin Stacey (Please Like Me) and Megan Smart (Home and Away) along with Claire Lovering (Genevieve), Sana’a Shaik (Teresa), Sarah Krndiga (Sandy), Steph Tisdell (Phoebe), Bernie Van Tiel (Tegan), Chi Nguyn (Megan), Emma Horn (Renee), Rose Flanagan (Laura) and Debra Lawrence (Sister Bicky).
Class of ’07 has been commissioned by Amazon Studios and is produced by Matchbox Pictures, which is part of Universal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group. Matchbox Pictures’ Alastair McKinnon and Debbie Lee also serve as executive producers and Mimi Butler is producer.
Class of ‘07 is supported by the NSW Government through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW fund.
Emerging to mid-level NSW creatives will be on the path to success with the announcement of the return of the Screen NSW Short to Feature Fast Track initiative.
20th Century Studios’ Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will receive $17 million in support from the Australian Government, and funding through Screen NSW’s Made in NSW fund.
