Sophie Byrne

Byrne worked as a Senior Producer at Passion Pictures London for ten years. There she produced many award-winning projects, including the initial pilot for the hugely successful concept band Gorillaz—created by Jamie Hewlett (Tank Girl comic) and Damon Albarn (Blur)—and their seminal ‘Clint Eastwood’ music video.{{cite web|url=http://www.annecy.org/about/archives/2001/official-selection/film-index:film-20010454|title=Annecy > About > Archives > 2001 > Official Selection > Film Index|work=annecy.org|accessdate=18 March 2017}}

Returning to Melbourne, Australia in 2002 Byrne started Passion Pictures Australia,{{cite web |url=http://www.passion-pictures.com.au/ |title=Home |website=passion-pictures.com.au}} optioned the acclaimed cult concept Scarygirl and has worked closely with artist Nathan Jurevicius to successfully expand the brand across all media{{cite web|url=http://blogs.theage.com.au/screenplay/archives/012078.html|title=The Age Blogs: Screen Play|work=theage.com.au|accessdate=18 March 2017}} including producing the online gaming prototype, which was nominated for the 2009 AFI Screen Content Innovation Award.{{cite web|url=http://www.aacta.org/winners-nominees/2000-2010/2009.aspx|title=AFI - AACTA - Winners & Nominees - 2000-2010 - 2009|work=aacta.org|accessdate=18 March 2017}}

In 2010 Byrne produced the Academy Award-winning short film, The Lost Thing, based on Shaun Tan’s picture book.{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/little-yellow-idol-opens-doors-on-other-side-of-the-world-20110315-1bvx2.html|title=Little yellow idol opens doors on other side of the world|first=Karl|last=Quinn|date=16 March 2011|publisher=|accessdate=18 March 2017|via=The Sydney Morning Herald}} After being introduced to the book, Sophie tracked Shaun down and asked him to co-direct the short film adaptation with Andrew Ruhemann, and cast Tim Minchin in the role of the narrator.{{cite web|url=http://motionographer.com/2011/01/19/the-lost-thing-interview-with-shaun-tan/|title=The Lost Thing: Interview With Shaun Tan|date=20 January 2011|work=motionographer.com|accessdate=18 March 2017}}

A feature film adaption of the Scarygirl concept,  is currently in production with  the female-led Brisbane-based production studio Like A Photon Creative Co-Producing  and Executive Producer John Stevenson (Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, Madagascar) and features an all star Australian cast.{{Cite web |last=Slatter |first=Sean |date=16 August 2022 |title=Jillian Nguyen, Sam Neill, Anna Torv lead voice cast of 'Scarygirl' |url=https://if.com.au/jillian-nguyen-sam-neill-anna-torv-lead-voice-cast-of-scarygirl/ |website=Inside Film}}

In 2014 Byrne formed a new production entity, Highly Spirited. Under this company, Byrne has a high-end animated TV series based on Shaun Tan's Tales From Outer Suburbia in development{{Cite web|url=http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/new-directions/brilliant-stories/|title = Original recipients - Brilliant stories funding - Gender Matters}} with Flying Bark Productions,{{Cite web |date=1 August 2022 |title=Flying Bark Adapting Oscar Winner Shaun Tan's 'Tales from Outer Suburbia' to Series |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/08/flying-bark-adapting-oscar-winner-shaun-tans-tales-from-outer-suburbia-to-series/ |website=Animation Magazine}} and Lally Katz (Wentworth, Spirited) attached to write, and a feature film adaptation of Shaun Tan's internationally acclaimed graphic novel The Arrival.{{cite web|url=http://www.screenhub.com.au/news-article/features/film/anne-richey/sophie-byrne-the-arrival-is-on-the-way-242986|title=Sophie Byrne: The Arrival is on the way|first=Anne|last=Richey|work=screenhub.com.au|date=4 April 2014|accessdate=18 March 2017}}

She is also in production on 10 x 12 min TV series  Eddie’s Lil’ Homies inspired by the popular children’s books Eddie’s Lil’ Homies by AFL Football legend, Eddie Betts, which is produced and financed with the assistance of Australian Children’s Television Foundation, Netflix, National Indigenous Television.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Vivienne |date=6 February 2023 |title=NITV and Netflix Collaborate on Animated Series 'Eddie's Lil' Homies' |url=https://au.variety.com/2023/tv/news/eddies-lil-homies-8590/ |website=Variety Australia}}

Sophie was recently the Supervising Animation Producer of the Australian Unit on Where Is Anne Frank, a 2D animated feature film from Oscar-nominated Ari Folman (Waltz With Bashir).

• AACTA Award for Best Short Animation{{cite web|url=http://www.aacta.org/winners-nominees/2000-2010/2010.aspx|title=AFI - AACTA - Winners & Nominees - 2000-2010 - 2010|work=aacta.org|accessdate=18 March 2017}}
• Kodak Inside Film Award for Best Short Animation
• St Kilda Film Festival Best Animation{{cite web|url=https://www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/australias-top-100/past-winners|title=PAST WINNERS - St Kilda Film Festival|work=stkildafilmfestival.com.au|accessdate=18 March 2017}}
• Greg Tepper Award for Outstanding Achievement by Film Victoria{{cite web|url=https://www.film.vic.gov.au/about-us/industry-awards/|title=Industry awards - Film Victoria|work=film.vic.gov.au|accessdate=18 March 2017}}

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• {{IMDb name|0126291}}
• [http://www.passion-pictures.com.au/ Official Website]

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Category:Australian film producers

Category:Australian women film producers

Category:Australian television producers

Category:Australian women television producers

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Living people