Screen Queensland and Screen Oz back Instagram comedy series Not Russian Anywhere

Annisa Belonogoff’s digital series Not Russian Anywhere

Screen Queensland is ramping up investment in digital-first content, funding a new comedy series from emerging producer and showrunner Annisa Belonogoff for the Instagram platform.

Not Russian Anywhere (8×3’), which also attracted funding from Screen Australia, was filmed in Brisbane.

Belinda Burns, Screen Queensland’s chief creative officer, said: “Screen Queensland is dedicated to amplifying and scaling Queensland’s digital-first screen storytellers with content that is exciting, fresh and original. We are excited by the talent emerging from Queensland and we are committed to championing these online creators to reach global audiences.”

The digital series was written and coproduced by Belonogoff and was directed by Aimée-Lee Xu Hsien. Not Russian Anywhere explores the cultural chasm felt by many Australians of multicultural backgrounds who sit between two worlds.

The series also stars Belonogoff and features an ensemble cast including Reagan Mannix (Black Snow, Boy Swallows Universe), Felicity Jurd (Bump), Mirko Gillini (Paper Dolls, In Our Blood, Joe vs Carole) and newcomers Inga Romantsova and Bronte Bailey.