Private Project

Final Broadcast

A foreign army is invading Australia. The government has been destroyed. The Prime Minister's chief of staff and speech writer have taken refuge in a disused military hospital, and are tasked with writing his final broadcast to the nation; that explains his decision to surrender.

But they didn't count on the mysterious arrival of a wheelchair-bound stranger; intent on changing the course of history.

  • Anthony Igra
    Director
  • Anthony Igra
    Writer
  • Anthony Igra
    Producer
  • Allison Cratchley
    Key Cast
    "Megan Crandle"
    Water Rats, All Saints, Sanctum,
  • Brendan Donoghue
    Key Cast
    "Paul Hegarty"
    The Combination Redemption, Mr InBetween, Rake
  • Keith Robinson
    Key Cast
    "Norman Stand"
    Mystery Road, Summer Love, The Twelve
  • Richard James Allen
    Key Cast
    "Prime Minister"
  • Fay Du Chateau
    Key Cast
    "Petra"
  • Veronica Clavijo
    Key Cast
    "Hannah"
  • Lloyd Allison Young
    Key Cast
    "Young Norman Stand"
  • Nick Annas
    Key Cast
    "Young PM"
  • David Gribble ACS
    Cinematography
    The World's Fastest Indian, Cadillac Man, Jesse Stone: Death In Paradise, The Quest, Off Limits, IKE: Countdown to D-Day
  • Daniel Zines
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes 32 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 17, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    50,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Anthony Igra

I have wanted to be a screenwriter since I was in high school.

In the 35 years since I have studied the art of writing for the screen, done a lot of writing, some courses, and spec scripts. Lots of those.

So at the age of 54, it was time to put it all to the test in Final Broadcast.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

When I mention this project, the first question from people has always been; ‘so what’s this film about?’’

It’s about the how a nation decides between fighting for its freedom or surrendering to survive,

It’s about the fragility of national sovereignty,

And it’s about the power of words:

I finished the script in April 2021, and it was inspired by my concern about the intimidation from China to the entire Pacific, and what that might mean for the world.

It seemed that ‘might is right’ had made its way back into international currency. Ideology over Sovereignty.

I sensed that the rules-based order of the world was starting to collapse.

And looking at what has happened in the 2.5 years since I wrote the script, how right I was. Although the warm return of Nazi ideology to the educated classes…. Didn’t see that coming.

So some of the dialogue rings far louder, and screams more relevance, than I intended when it was written.

Final Broadcast is an intense look at how nations decide to respond to invasion, and whether the lessons of history are ever learned.