The growing interest in Australia-Indian joint production has spawned a new financing entity aimed at bridging the structured investment and cultural authenticity of both markets.

The Southern Sitara, unveiled at the Cannes Film Market, represents the latest effort between the two countries to leverage a bilateral co-production treaty, with the goal of achieving a range of $50,000-11 million ($320,000-70,000) through a hybrid capital model combining proprietary funds with joint enhancement investment.

The joint venture brings together duo Roshni Pandey and Jagdish Sidhu, which are responsible for portfolios across Southeast Asia, London and Australia, and Anupam Sharma, architect of the Australian Indian Film Fund. The trio will work with the Manufacturing House Temple, which works at the Disney Studios in Sydney.

“Australia offers unprecedented support to screen professionals,” Sharma said. “Sitara in the south is based on this to achieve authentic cultural storytelling.”

The financing structure solves familiar pain points in cross-border production and provides development funds, production investments, gap financing and cash flow loans. Pandey highlights this dangerous approach: “We have been experimenting with business models to downgrade venture capital, and Australia’s treaties and incentives have helped us change the narrative.”

Southern Sitara has formed support from well-known players in the Australian-Indian sector, including Pradnya and Tej Dugal of Jhumka movies (“Maasa, “Goodwell Amor”), London-based media investors Jacqui Miller-Charlton, Sydney Investor Investor Chandru Tolani and Angel Angel Investor Shalu kundra.

Distribution is handled through the first line deal with Icon Movies for Indian language distributions for English records and forum movies.

The initial slate reflects the cultural bridge the entity is designed to build. Projects include "Reward", a thriller film widely shot in Australia by actor director Anupam Kher, the horror film "Shadows" and "Indian Cowboy" that blends Aboriginal and Indian mythology, inspired by India's only country music performer Bobby Cash.

Other titles in development include Richard Jameson's "Bidjara Kumari", who was supported in Screen Australia and Screen Queensland and supported by Screen Australia, Screen NSW and SBS.

The venture has recruited Australian producers Lisa Duff ("Last Cab to Darwin"), Jannine Barnes ("Downriver"), Cathy Rodda ("Bromley – Light After Dark") and Victoria McIntyre Wharfe ("The Flood") for key creative roles, alongside “Shark Tank Australia's" Ben Ulm and First Nations producer Jodie Bell ("Doug the Human").

Singapore-based Sidhu will handle finance and compliance, while Pandey leads strategy and investor relations. “Australia’s production incentives and treaties offer unique risk avenues for global film investments, consistent with our focus on compliance and strong ROI,” Sidhu noted.