Sunstar Entertainment
| Company type | Independent company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film production, Talent management |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Andrew Fraser, Shahen Mekertichian |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Films, Television content, Talent management |
Sunstar Entertainment operates as an independent company specializing in film production and talent management. Established in 2011 by Andrew Fraser and Shahen Mekertichian, the Sydney-based firm concentrates on creating films and television content rooted in authentic Australian narratives, notably the 2016 motion picture Lion, directed by Garth Davis.
Film Projects
In 2012, Sunstar secured the rights to the book A Long Way Home, authored by Indian-born Australian businessman Saroo Brierley in collaboration with Australian writer Larry Buttrose. The following year, Sunstar collaborated with See-Saw Films to transform the book into the film Lion, under the direction of Garth Davis. The cast featured Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara, and David Wenham. This production was a joint effort between Sunstar Entertainment, See-Saw Films, Aquarius Films, Screen Australia, and The Weinstein Company. Executive Producer roles were held by founders Andrew Fraser and Shahen Mekertichian.
Lion debuted at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival amid early Oscar consideration and was released worldwide by The Weinstein Company on November 25, 2016.
In 2013, Sunstar was revealed as a producer for True Spirit, a film portraying Australian sailor Jessica Watson’s solo circumnavigation of the globe at just 16 years old. The release is planned for 2020.
By 2015, Sunstar had acquired rights to the story of Australian athlete John Maclean, a paraplegic who became the first wheelchair participant in the Ironman World Championship and successfully swam across the English Channel.
Talent Management
Sunstar Entertainment represents leading Australian sports personalities such as world-renowned sailor Jessica Watson, cricketer Mitchell Starc, and versatile athlete Ellyse Perry.