Kriv Stenders to Direct Australian Country Music Drama 'Little Miracles'

Australia's Bronte Studios and First Option Pictures have signed on director Kriv Stenders for its new country music drama Little Miracles, with production scheduled to commence in 2026.

Stemming from an original concept by Mark Morrissey, who is producing through his First Option Pictures banner alongside Bronte Studios' Blake Northfield and Michelle Krumm, the project will celebrate the "backbone of Australian storytelling", country music. It will feature a screenplay by Steve Worland and Jeremy Sims.

Stenders’ previous directing work includes Danger Close, Red Dog, and The Correspondent, which scored 14 nominations at this year’s AACTA Awards. Worland wrote Paper Planes, while Sims penned Last Cab to Darwin.

David Hirschfelder has also joined the production as music director and composer. The veteran composer’s credits span Strictly Ballroom, Australia, and The Dressmaker.

“Country music is the backbone of Australian storytelling. Australia is the world’s third-largest country music market, yet it’s rarely seen on our screens,” the producers said, per Variety.

“We believe Kriv is the perfect director to bring this beautiful story to life and have wanted to collaborate with him for a long time. With films like ‘Slim & I,’ ‘Boy from the Bush’ and ‘Red Dog,’ it feels like a natural fit for him to bring those worlds together in ‘Little Miracles.’”

Stenders added: “For me, there is nothing more magical in cinema than the fusion of music, story and emotion — an alchemy that transforms personal experience into a collective one. ‘Little Miracles’ is a celebration of that power — a story about how songs can unite us, connect us and deepen our understanding of one another.”

Additional casting announcements and production details will be revealed as the 2026 shoot date approaches.