Production has commenced in Western Australia on the comedy drama feature I Met a Girl starring Brenton Thwaites and Lily Sullivan.

Brenton Thwaites stars as an impulsive, young musician struggling with schizophrenia who falls for a mysterious woman (Lily Sullivan) who may be all in his head.

When she suddenly vanishes, he takes off on an epic, cross-country journey across Australia to find her, forcing his long-suffering brother (Joel Jackson) to try to rescue him.

The project, shooting in Western Australia and New South Wales, is from the creative team behind the multi-award-winning web series High Life and includes director Luke Eve, writer Glen Dolman and producer Adam Dolman.

I Met a Girl has received major production funding from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest and was financed with support from Create NSW and Soundfirm. Label Distribution will release in AU/NZ and AMP International will handle world sales.

Thwaites, who was the romantic lead in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales and is currently headlining the DC hit series Titans, leads the cast alongside Lily Sullivan (Jungle, Picnic at Hanging Rock) and Joel Jackson (Safe Harbour, Jungle). They will be joined by Zahra Newman (Wentworth, Truth) and Peter Rowsthorn (Kath and Kim).

Melissa Kelly and Ryan Hodgson’s Factor 30 Films (Hounds of Love) is co-producing with Dolman’s Monsoon Pictures. Timothy White (I am Mother, The Luminaries) and Tait Brady (Brothers’ Nest, Healing) are executive producing with Roger Savage, Thwaites, Eve, as well as James Norrie and Bob Portal of AMP International.

James Norrie of AMP International said, “Romantic, sweet and laugh out loud funny, I Met a Girl has a great balance of humour and pathos, which is sure to appeal to an international audience.”

Screenwest CEO Peter Rowe said he was moved by the film’s commitment to putting schizophrenia in the spotlight. “This is a life affirming, coming-of-age story that’s both funny and whimsical yet deeply emotional,” Peter explained.

Brothers Adam and Glen Dolman said they were determined to tell this story.  Glen, who created the critically acclaimed Stan series, Bloom, was inspired to write the film after the death of a close friend who had suffered from a serious mental illness.

Producer Adam Dolman said, “This is a personal, authentic and very moving story and one which I believe will resonate with audiences worldwide. We’re both thrilled to be working again with director, Luke Eve, whose passion and vision for this project is infectious.”

Director Luke Eve said, “This is a story I’m extremely passionate about telling. To have the opportunity to finally make it is a dream come true.”I Met a Girl is a Monsoon Pictures Australia production in association with Factor30 Films. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest. It was financed with support from Create NSW and Soundfirm.

Credit: Photo of Brenton Thwaites by Mitchell Nguyen McCormack