Unicorn Films is a multi-award-winning independent film production company based in Melbourne, Australia. Unicorn collaborates with some of Australia’s most experienced writers and directors and has an expanding international focus. Unicorn has a slate of feature films and documentaries in development and financing, including several international co- productions.
Lizzette Atkins
Producer and Company Director
Lizzette Atkins is a producer and company director of Unicorn Films. Since moving from film distribution, as head of marketing and acquisitions for Newvision Films, to producing in 2003, Lizzette has produced over 25 feature films, feature documentaries and TV documentaries. Throughout the 1980’s Lizzette managed art house cinemas and moved to Melbourne in 1987 to set up the Kino Cinemas in Melbourne. She was the Director of Experimenta (MIMA), an experimental arts festival, in 1990 and 1992.
In her role as Producer, her most recent theatrical films are KID SNOW and REVENGE: OUR DAD THE NAZI KILLER.
Released theatrically in cinemas throughout Australia in September 2024 was Paul Goldman’s feature drama KID SNOW, an epic modern western set in the world of tent boxing in 1971. Starring Billy Howle, Tom Bateman and Phoebe Tonkin and featuring Hunter Page-Lochard Mark Coles Smith, Shaka Cook, Tasma Walton and Robert Taylor. Madman are the ANZ distributors and French based sales agent Elle Diver, represent it for ROW.
REVENGE: OUR DAD THE NAZI KILLER was released in cinemas throughout Australia from December 6, 2023. Bonsai is representing it for ANZ and Cargo for ROW. It was commissioned by BBC Storyville, ABC TV, DR and NRK.
CHINA’S ARTFUL DISSIDENT was commissioned for ABC Arts and completed in 2020. Ben Hackworth’s feature drama CELESTE (2018), was released theatrically by Curious Films in mid 2019 and sold internationally by Level K. CELESTE premiered at MIFF and London BFI Film Festival in October 2018 and has screened at over 25 Festivals in Australia and internationally picking up numerous awards.
Critically acclaimed feature films include LOOKING FOR GRACE (2016), selected in Official Competition Venice FF and Toronto FF (Platform) and Jon Hewitt’s psychological thriller X (2011) which sold all over the world.
Lizzette has a history of producing theatrical and TV documentaries including: Danny Ben Moshe’s MY MOTHER’S LOST CHILDREN for BBC Storyville (2018), WINTER AT WESTBETH directed by Rohan Spong, released theatrically in 2017; George Gittoes’ SNOW MONKEY, selected in official competition at IDFA 2015, Sheffield Film Festival 2016 and screened on SBS in 2016; MOTHER WITH A GUN directed by Jeff Daniels and winner best Documentary Antenna 2016 and screened on Netflix in the US, UK and Canada; A FAMILY AFFAIR (2015) an international co-production which released theatrically and screened on the ABC.
In 2014 Lizzette produced Anna Bronoiwski’s ground-breaking theatrical documentary AIM HIGH IN CREATION selected for IDFA and winner of the Critics Prize at the St Petersburg Film Festival followed by a theatrical release and screening on ABC TV. It was also picked up by Netflix for North America. Other theatrical documentaries of note include Eddie Martin’s acclaimed LIONEL and Rosie Jones’ THE TRIANGLE WARS winner Best Documentary Antenna 2015.
Annie Mitchell
Associate Producer
Annie is an independent producer and Development Associate from the UK.
Annie cut her teeth in production before joining forces with Oscar-winning Alfonso Cuarón as Director’s Assistant on DISCLAIMER (Apple TV). Following this, Annie moved into development with the director and has since worked across both development and production at talent-led companies in London, including James Norton’s Rabbit Track Pictures. Here, Annie played a key role in the prep, shoot and delivery of PLAYING NICE (ITV) and KING & CONQUEROR (BBC/HBO), as well as working as Development Associate across a busy slate, including TV projects with industry heavyweights such as Jack Thorne, and feature films in development with the BFI and Film4.
Annie is passionate about indie filmmaking and championing emerging talent. Her short film producer credits include GOOD GIRLS GO TO HEAVEN, a coming-of-age comedy directed by Martha Wilson, and TETHERED, a queer folk-horror by Maya Marie.