Production is underway in South Australia on new See-Saw Films thriller The Royal Hotel, written and directed by Kitty Green, starring Julia Garner (Inventing Anna, Ozark), AFI winner Hugo Weaving (Patrick Melrose, Oranges and Sunshine, The Matrix), Toby Wallace (Babyteeth) and rising star Jessica Henwick (The Matrix Resurrections and upcoming Knives Out 2).

Filming on locations in remote South Australia and at the South Australian Film Corporation’s (SAFC) Adelaide Studios, The Royal Hotel is See-Saw’s third consecutive major production in the state in as many years, following AMC+ series Firebite and feature film The Stranger.

Set in a remote Australian mining town, The Royal Hotel found the perfect location in South Australia’s rugged Outback, just one of the many diverse and stunning filming locations on offer in the state. The production is also taking advantage of South Australia’s world-class crews, employing 225 local screen industry professionals and a majority of South Australian crew.

A social thriller inspired by true events, the film follows Hanna (Garner) and Liv (Henwick) who are best friends backpacking in Australia. After they run out of money, Liv, looking for an adventure, convinces Hanna to take a temporary live-in job behind the bar of a pub called ‘The Royal Hotel’ in a remote Outback mining town. Bar Owner Billy (Weaving) and a host of locals, including the charming Matty (Wallace), give the girls a riotous introduction to Down Under drinking culture but things turn nasty when their jokes and behaviour cross the line. Soon Hanna and Liv find themselves trapped in an unnerving situation that grows rapidly out of their control.

South Australian Minister for The Arts The Hon. Andrea Michaels said: “With the rights having already sold in the US for a theatrical release, this highly anticipated new thriller will be an international showcase of South Australia’s remarkable Outback locations, the capability of our Adelaide Studios production facilities and our exceptional screen talent – exporting South Australian knowledge and creativity to the world.”

SAFC CEO Kate Croser said: “The SAFC is thrilled to be supporting the production of The Royal Hotel in South Australia, marking the continuation of our successful production pipeline with multi-award-winning company See-Saw Films. This exciting new feature film will provide a significant level of production activity in Adelaide and South Australian regions, as well as employment and training opportunities for South Australian crew, growing the capability of SA’s screen industry.”

The Royal Hotel reunites Green and Garner, who previously worked together on Green’s breakout hit The Assistant, which premiered at the 2019 Telluride Film Festival and earned Garner an Independent Spirit Award nomination.

The film is produced by the multi-award-winning See-Saw Films (The Power Of The Dog). NEON have acquired the North American rights. The Royal Hotel is produced by Emile Sherman and Iain Canning of See-Saw Films, the Academy and BAFTA Award-winning team behind The Power of the Dog, Lion and The King’s Speech, together with Animal Kingdom and The King producer Liz Watts, See-Saw Films’ Head of Film and Television (Aus), and Scarlett Pictures’ Kath Shelper (Samson & Delilah). See-Saw Films’ COO Simon Gillis will executive produce. Green co-wrote the script with Oscar Redding (Van Diemen’s Land).

Learn more about the benefits of filming in South Australia – unique locations, funding incentives, experienced and dedicated crews, flexible, purpose-built studios, and the support of the SAFC team.