Victoria provides a stunning backdrop to Lion – the award-winning adaptation of Saroo Brierley’s memoir A Long Way Home – a universal story about family and identity that is also distinctly Australian.

The remarkable true story stars Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel alongside Rooney Mara, David Wenham and Sunny Pawar, who plays the role of young Saroo.

Lion is also in the running for six Academy Awards, earning nominations for Best Picture; Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Dev Patel); Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Nicole Kidman); Best Cinematography (Greig Fraser); Best Music: Original Score (Dustin O’Halloran and Hauschka) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Luke Davies).

Lion is the feature film debut of Melbourne director Garth Davis, who worked with award-winning screenwriter/author Luke Davies, Victorian production designer Chris Kennedy and Melbourne-born cinematographer Greig Fraser to bring the story to life on screen.

The Victorian component of the shoot was filmed at locations in Melbourne’s CBD and inner city suburbs, including Parkville, Northcote, Carlton North and Elwood. All post-production on the film took place in Victoria, with Melbourne’s award-winning post production facilities Soundfirm, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group and Deluxe’s Iloura all showcasing their expertise.

Following a successful world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and US cinema release in November 2016, Lion has achieved box office success and critical acclaim and is well on its way to becoming the fifth highest grossing Australian film of all time.

Garth Davis has been recognised with the prestigious Directors Guild of America award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement for a First Time Feature and Greig Fraser has taken top honours at the 2017 American Society of Cinematographers Awards, while production designer Chris Kennedy is among the nominees for the 2017 Art Directors Guild Awards.

Lion is also in the running for six Academy Awards, earning nominations for: Best Picture, Actor in a Supporting Role – Dev Patel, Actress in a Supporting Role – Nicole Kidman, Cinematography – Greig Fraser, Music (Original Score) – Dustin O’Halloran and Hauschka and Writing (Adapted Screenplay) – Luke Davies.

Lion was developed and produced by Emile Sherman and Iain Canning of See-Saw Films with Angie Fielder of Aquarius Films. The executive producers are Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, David C. Glasser, Andrew Fraser, Shahen Mekertichian and Daniel Levin.

Film Victoria supported the production of Lion through the Production Incentive Attraction Fund. 

For more information on Victoria’s production businesses and Film Victoria’s incentives contact:
Joe Brinkmann, Manager – Incentives and Investments
[email protected]
www.film.vic.gov.au