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Incorporate Sunup into Your Philanthropic Portfolio
Support South Australian Creativity
Sunup Film is committed to strengthening the creative heart of South Australia — developing local stories, employing South Australian crew, and building sustainable career pathways for the artists who call this state home. Your donation helps make this work possible, contributing directly to a long-term ecosystem where regional voices can truly flourish.
All donations made through the Australian Cultural Fund are 100% tax-deductible, ensuring that your generosity directly supports the future of South Australian arts.
The VINES Circle is our philanthropic community, created for supporters who believe in the power of South Australian storytelling and wish to play a meaningful role in shaping its future. By joining the Circle, you help us nurture local writers, actors, crew and creative practitioners, while contributing to a sustainable model for independent filmmaking in the state. Each tier represents a commitment to the growth of our arts sector and the cultural legacy we are building together.
Welcome from E. Bennett Walsh
It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the community gathering around VINES. Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of working across major studios, international productions and independent films in a wide range of cultures and creative environments. One thing has remained constant throughout: meaningful work is only possible when the right people choose to stand behind it.
What Isabelle and her team are building here in South Australia is both distinctive and important. VINES is a film rooted in emotional honesty and a strong sense of place, shaped by the character of the Adelaide Hills and the talent of the artists who live and work here. It represents a mode of filmmaking that values craft, humanity and intention — qualities that resonate far beyond the screen.
Your support makes that possible. Independent film depends on those who recognise its cultural value and who understand the long-term impact of investing in creative communities. By joining us, you are not only helping bring this story to life, but also contributing to a framework that strengthens the future of South Australian storytelling.
Thank you for taking the time to consider supporting VINES. It’s a project I believe in deeply, and I look forward to the opportunity to share its journey with you.
A LEGACY OF OPPORTUNITY
Your support helps create a lasting legacy for South Australian artists. VINES is more than a single film — it is the starting point of a long-term framework designed to keep creative talent in the state by offering viable, meaningful pathways into the screen industry.
South Australia has a deep well of skill, ambition and artistic potential, yet many practitioners leave due to limited opportunity. Your contribution helps reverse that trend by building the conditions in which talent can stay, grow and contribute to the cultural life of the state.
By supporting VINES, you help:
establish ongoing creative employment for South Australian crew
ensure local stories continue to be made in South Australia
build a cultural environment where artists can build lasting, sustainable careers
strengthen the link between training institutions and industry
CURRENT OPPORTUNITY
VINES
- TITLE: VINES
- FORMAT: FEATURE FILM
- GENRE: CONTEMPORARY ROMANTIC DRAMA
- TARGET AUDIENCE: 30+ FEMALE, DRAMA CONTENT CONSUMERS
- PRODUCTION TIMEFRAME: 2026/27
- RELEASE TIMEFRAME: 2027
- DISTRIBUTION PATHWAY: UMBRELLA FILMS (ANZ LOI), STREAMING PLATFORMS, FESTIVAL CIRCUIT
- MARKET POSITION: EMOTIONALLY DRIVEN, AUSTRALIAN STORYTELLING FOR AN INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE
- TEAM: E.BENNETT WALSH, ISABELLE SCOTT, KAHLI GASKIN
THE VINES CIRCLE
The VINES Circle
is a philanthropic community supporting the future of South Australian storytelling, helping to build a sustainable pathway for local artists, crew and independent filmmaking.
All contributions are processed through the ACF, ensuring transparent governance and full tax-deductibility.
Friend — $1,500+
Supporter — $5,000+
Major Supporter — $10,000+
Lead Benefactor — $25,000+
Visionary Patron — $50,000+
Founding Patron — $100,000+
Each tier offers meaningful acknowledgement and the option of an on-film credit as part of the film’s legacy, with supporters receiving periodic updates on the film’s progress and impact.
All contributors are also eligible to take part in our unique curated patron experiences.
CURATED PATRON EXPERIENCES
THE PRELUDE ACCESS
- A warm introduction to the project, offering early access to the trailer, select script pages and supporter recognition across our platforms.
THE CURATED EDIT
- Building on Tier 1, this tier provides elegant digital insights, including a production newsletter, a digital VINES art print, a group thank-you video and a Director’s Insight Note.
THE CREATORS CIRCLE
- Everything from Tier 2, plus closer creative connection through behind-the-scenes updates, reserved seating at the community preview screening, a small-group livestream Q&A and a digital message from cast.
THE STUDIO EXPERIENCE
- An elevated experience that includes all previous tiers along with an intimate set visit (small group), a “Special Thanks” credit in the film, a premium lookbook and photography pack (exclusive release), and entry to our boutique Supporters’ Evening.
THE PATRONS TABLE
- Our most intimate offering, including everything from Tier 4 plus a luncheon with Producer & Director, a private creative session with Director, a preview-cut screening, participation in a rough-cut feedback survey, and a cocktail event at the community screening.
CULTURAL IMPACT
Supporting VINES is an investment in something far greater than a single film. It is a contribution to the cultural life of South Australia and a commitment to ensuring that regional stories continue to hold space within Australia’s national narrative. Independent cinema has long played a vital role in shaping identity, deepening empathy, and preserving the voices of communities, yet it remains one of the most under-resourced areas of the arts.
Your support helps safeguard the presence of South Australian stories on screen, amplifying regional perspectives within the broader cultural landscape and ensuring that diverse voices are nurtured, developed, and championed. It upholds the artistic integrity of independent filmmaking while strengthening the state’s reputation as a place where creativity, excellence, and thoughtful storytelling are valued and sustained.
The arts flourish when communities choose to protect and invest in them. By supporting VINES, you are helping to build a cultural legacy that extends beyond this project — one that resonates through future artists, audiences, and stories yet to be told.
HOW YOUR DONATION IS UTILISED
Transparency is central to our approach. Every donation made through the Australian Cultural Fund directly supports the creation of VINES while also contributing to the development of future South Australian stories.
Your contribution is directed towards employing South Australian cast and crew, supporting location hire and regional partnerships, and investing in production design, costume, and art department work. It also enables post-production to be completed through local studios and edit facilities, creates meaningful training opportunities for emerging creatives, and supports the early development of new projects under the Sunup Film banner.
Each dollar is thoughtfully reinvested into South Australia’s artists, businesses, and creative infrastructure, strengthening the local screen ecosystem and ensuring its long-term sustainability.
LONG TERM
VINES marks the beginning of a broader, long-term strategy to build a sustainable slate of independent films produced entirely in South Australia. At its core is a model designed to retain local talent, create ongoing employment, and bring distinctly regional stories to audiences in Australia and beyond.
This vision includes the development of a pipeline of new feature films rooted in South Australian identity, alongside continued employment and training opportunities for local creatives. It prioritises strategic partnerships with regional businesses and arts organisations, supports the growth of a recognisable South Australian screen voice, and establishes Sunup Film as a lasting home for independent storytelling in the state.
This work extends far beyond a single project. Your support helps build a cultural foundation that will continue to grow, evolve, and strengthen with every film we make.