Final days of Ben Hall

Matthew Holmes is on his way to telling the Ben Hall story. 121747_03. Picture: ROB CAREW

By KATH GANNAWAY

WARBURTON filmmaker Matthew Holmes will make The Legend of Ben Hall – an Australian Bushranger film.
Holmes raised $78,241 with a Kickstarter funding campaign, reaching the $75,000 target with four days to go to the 7 July cut-off.
Holmes said he was keeping a close eye on the Kickstarter barometer and got a huge surprise when it suddenly kicked over the magic figure with a $6500 pledge from an Emerald investor.
The bulk investment came on the top of hundreds of pledges with anyone wanting a slice of Holmes vision able to invest from as little as $20.
The 30-minute film will focus on the final days of the infamous Australian bushranger and outlaw who Holmes says has a great story to tell.
As writer, director and producer, Holmes has a huge personal investment in the film, the future of which depended on Kickstarter success.
“It was a big scary there for a while, but I’m very fortunate that we have some very generous people who have got behind the project,” he said.
The Legend of Ben Hall is set to start filming in mid-August with some filming near Kyneton and some in New South Wales.
“We’re launching into pre-production now, so we are casting all the roles, building costumes, props and sets,” he said.