Ben Phelps – Writer/ Director


Ben completed a Bachelor of Arts (Film Studies) at the Australian National University (ANU) and a Masters in film production (Directing) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).  Ben’s previous short film, CHECKPOINT, has been selected for competition in over 65 international film festivals and won 12 international awards, including the prestigious Jury Prize at the Montreal World Film Festival 2006 and the Dendy CRC Award at the Sydney Film Festival 2007.


Ben currently has a feature screenplay in development.  NICE SHOOTIN’ COWBOY is Ben’s first collaboration with Producer, John Maynard.




John Maynard - Producer


John is well known as a producer with an eye for talent, producing the debut feature films from directors Jane Campion (SWEETIE), Vincent Ward (VIGIL, THE NAVIGATOR), Rowan Woods (THE BOYS), Robert Connolly (THE BANK, THREE DOLLARS) and Richard Roxburgh (ROMULUS, MY FATHER).


In 2007, John received the AFI Award for Best Film for ROMULUS, MY FATHER which he co-produced with Robert Connolly. John has had three films In Competition in Cannes (an unrivalled Australian record) and with partner Bridget Ikin, he co-produced Jane Campion’s AN ANGEL AT MY TABLE, the 1990 winner of the “Silver Lion” in Venice. THE BOYS, John’s first collaboration with business partner Robert Connolly, debuted In Competition at Berlin in 1998.


In 2005 the Australian Directors Guild awarded their highest honour to John, The Cecil Holmes Memorial Award for his support of directors and the ADG.