Paper champions is an uplifting Australian romantic comedy with a New Zealand twist.
Directed by Jo-Anne Brechin, the story follows Rey; a young man who wants to find love despite having lost his ‘Mana’. To have Mana implies influence, authority and efficacy – or the ability to perform in any situation- all things that Rey lacks.
Lucky for Rey, he is surrounded by supportive work colleagues, a Polynesian family a Spanish dance teacher and an ex-wrestler, all of whom help Rey get his Mana back to win the girl.
Luke Saliba, who co-wrote the screenplay based on his 2017 short Rey directed by Ryan Chamley, plays the lead, while Tessa de Josselin (Lucky Break, Home and Away, Ready for This) is cast as Holly, a confident and determined nurse whom Rey meets.
Gary Sweet (House Husbands, The Doctor Blake Mysteries) is Terry, a former wrestling champion who is dating Rey’s mum and sets out to help him discover his inner confidence, and the cast is rounded out with Kiwi John Tui as Wade, Rey’s big-hearted best mate since primary school, who helps him achieve his full potential.
While the storyline is intriguing in itself, it’s the fact that Paper Champions is being backed by Geelong investors, and that it’s being filmed in many well known Geelong locations that has caught our attention.
Having secured a distribution deal with Umbrella Entertainment, this ensures that the film will be showing in cinemas across Australia and New Zealand.
You can find out more info via IMDb.
