Sharp acquires Marshall short story film rights

Melbourne-based filmmaker Tim Sharp has acquired the film option to Wayne Marshall’s short story ‘A Night Out’ from Marshall’s debut collection Shirl (Affirm Press), via Martin Shaw at Shaw Literary.

Sharp previously worked in production and visual effects in the American and Canadian film industries. His directorial debut was the science fiction comedy Light Can’t Escape.

‘A Night Out’ depicts a man who begins a romantic relationship with a kangaroo.

Marshall, based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, released his debut short story collection Shirl in 2020. His stories have been published in Going Down Swinging, Island and Review of Australian Fiction. Marshall is also the co-founder of the Peter Carey Short Story Award.

Discussing the deal, Marshall said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted at the prospect of this story being turned into a film. Tim and I share such similar imaginations; he’s the perfect person to bring this weird vision to the screen.’

Sharp said: ‘We’re excited to commence development on a film adaptation of this amazing original story by Wayne Marshall that deftly mixes Aussie iconography, male insecurity and surreal fantasy into a one-of-a-kind tale.’

Sharp plans to release a short-film adaptation of the work.

Category: Local news Rights and acquisitions