Award winning novel brought to life with WA Regional Screen Fund

• New Stan original 10-part drama series to be produced in Geraldton and Perth
• Invisible Boys is based on book by multi-award-winning author Holden Sheppard
• The series will be internationally distributed by Banijay Rights

Western Australia will welcome a new Stan Original series to be made in our State's Mid West thanks to Screenwest, Lotterywest, Screen Australia and the State Government's Western Australian Regional Screen Fund.

Drawn from the book by award winning author Holden Sheppard, Invisible Boys portrays the complex lives of a group of gay teens living in the coastal town of Geraldton. As the drama unfolds, the friends' identities and desires bring tensions that test the strength of their friendships, forging the bonds that come from teenage years as outsiders in a country town.

Stan commissioned the series following a Stan and Screenwest joint development initiative, designed to foster local talent and spark the development of new series in WA.

The series is created and directed by Nicholas Verso (Boys In The Trees, Crazy Fun Park, Itch), produced by Tania Chambers (How to Please a Woman, Kill Me Three Times) and the writing team includes Holden Sheppard, Enoch Mailangi (All My Friends Are Racist, Year Of), Allan Clarke (The Dark Emu Story) and Declan Greene.

The WA Regional Screen Fund is designed to attract screen projects to undertake production in regional Western Australia and is one of a range of State Government incentives that support our screen industry.

Invisible Boys is estimated to bring more than $6.4 million expenditure to the State, boosting businesses and creating 280 local jobs.

Comments attributed to Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:

"Invisible Boys is not only a Western Australian production but is a uniquely regional Western Australian story.

"Western Australian stories deserve to be told and these quality productions that come out of our State are sought after nationally and internationally.

"I am proud the Western Australian Regional Screen Fund can support these kinds of original productions, allowing audiences all over the world to experience our unique perspectives and WA voices."

Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:

"Our Government is committed to the growth of the screen industry in Western Australia and to invest in opportunities which explore and celebrate our incredible regions.

"It is fantastic to see the filming for this production of Invisible Boys will be in Geraldton and the Mid West.

"High-quality local content, made right here in WA, gives our exceptional local creatives the chance to showcase their talent and builds our local industry."

Comments attributed to Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton:

"Having Invisible Boys brought to life on screen is important, not just for Geraldton and the opportunities for film industry employment, but because of the story it tells.

"I'm sure that our Geraldton community will embrace the filming opportunity and celebrate the end result – a TV series with the potential to be seen on global screens."