Richard Vilensky's debut film wins $1.5 million West Coast Visions funding

Writer‑director Richard Vilensky’s debut feature, the dark comedy Everyone’s Having a Good Time But You, was selected as the 2026 West Coast Visions recipient. The project, described as “Fargo meets Father of the Bride,” follows the owner of a failing furniture chain who, on the eve of his daughter’s wedding, launches a disastrous insurance scam. Production is slated to begin in Western Australia in mid‑2027.

West Coast Visions provides up to $1 million in funding from the Western Australian government and Lotterywest, with Screen Australia contributing a pre‑committed $500,000 in equity, bringing total possible support to $1.5 million. The film will be produced by Shane McNeil, Matty Limpus and Grady Habib of Sandbox Productions together with Ari Harrison of Sanctuary Pictures; Julie Ryan is attached as executive producer, alongside support from Jump Street Films and the Jewish Australian Screen Fund. Screenwest CEO Rikki Lea Bestall and Screen Australia’s Louise Gough praised the project’s distinctive voice and cultural specificity.