Magic Beach
Arena Media
Blending live action with a charming mix of 2D, 3D, stop-motion, and claymation animation, Magic Beach transforms Alison Lester’s cherished children’s book into a dreamy and visually captivating film. Featuring work from several acclaimed Australian animators, the adaptation brings to life a world where children’s dreams turn into extraordinary adventures.
The Princess Belinda chapter was created in collaboration with acclaimed animator Marieka Walsh and brought to life at Knuckles Animation Studio. It tells the story of Princess Belinda, a deaf princess, and her trusty steed who set out to rescue her little brother from a seaweed monster. Our talented team crafted the sandy sets, built the felt puppets, and animated the stop-motion sequences. Animation direction was a shared effort between Susie and Marieka, with both bringing their expertise to different scenes to create a seamless and immersive visual world.
Available on all streaming platforms across Australia.
Nominated Shanghai International Film Festival
Best Animation Film
Nominated Asia Pacific Screen Awards
Best Youth Film
Nominated Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards
Best Indie Film
Team Credits
Production Companies
Arena Media Australia
Madman Films
Directed by
Robert Connolly
Written by
Alison Lester
Produced by
Chloe Brugale
Robert Connolly
Liz Kearney
Kate Laurie
Robert Patterson
Cinematography by
Alex Cardy
Edited by
Maria Papoutsis
Music Department
Robert Patterson – Music Supervisor
Composers
James Peter Brown
Matilda Danta
Thom Davies
Bryony Marks
Cameron Patrick
Sean Peter
Paul Prestipino
Cassie To
Burkhard von Dallwitz
Russell Webster
Lyn Williams
Casting by
Jane Norris
Set Decoration
Ruby Davis
Costume Design
Maria Pattison
Production Management
Ruby Davis – Production Manager
Celyren Leckie – Production Coordinator
Chris Shapones – Production Manager
Art Department
Mikayla Hotton – Props Maker
Chris Shapones – Character Design / Puppets / Props / Sets
Sound Department
Steven Bond – Sound Recordist
Keith Thomas – Sound Designer
Visual Effects
John Kerron – Visual Effects Artist
Camera & Electrical Dept.
Ruby Davis – Data Wrangler
Riley Fyffe – Grip
Austin Haigh – 1st AC
Nova McGregor – 2nd AC
Caitlin Wong – Still Photographer
Main Cast
Spencer Ellis Anderson – Henry
Bigsy – Self
Rylee Chuck – Belinda
Elliott Hayes – Peter
Summer Jeon as Matilda
Azania Molefi – Tomtombo
Frankie Pollard – Lucy
Anezka Sero – Self
Luka Sero – James
Sebastian Sero – Self
Flynn Wandin – Gilay
Monty Newton Welsh – Salty’s Friend
Animation Department (Vignettes & Directors)
Susan Kim Danta – “Mermaid’s Tale”
Pierce Davison – “Castle V Castle”
Jake Duczynski – “Gilay Gabinya”
Emma Kelly – “The Horses”
Anthony Lucas – “The Smugglers”
Simon Rippingale – “Henry’s Dream”
Kathy Sarpi – “Tangerine Boat”
Marieka Walsh – “Princess Belinda”
Susie Shapones – “Princess Belinda”
Eddie White – “Kingdom of Fish”
Lee Whitmore – “Doggy Day Dreaming”
Editorial Department
Christine Dax (Assistant Editor)
Maria Papoutsis (Editor)
Additional Crew
Leah Filley (Production Assistant)
Amanda Sole (Financial Advisor)
Caroline Verge (Legal)
Cecily Wallace (Production Accountant)
Caitlin Wong (Production Runner)
PRINCESS BELINDA Chapter Credits:
Written and directed by
Marieka Walsh
Co-Directed by
Susie Shapones
Animation
Susie Shapones
Marieka Walsh
Production Manager
Chris Shapones
Director of Photography
Toby Petch
Editor
Nicole Bou-Samra
Ausland Expert Advisor
Paula Thornton
Composer
James Peter Brown
Production and Character Design
Marieka Walsh
Additional Production and Character Design
Susie Shapones
Chris Shapones
Set Construction/Props
Chris Shapones
Additional Set Construction/Props
Serena Hor
Amira Stanbouli
Puppet Fabrication
Marieka Walsh
Amira Stanbouli
Puppet Rigging
Susie Shapones
Puppet Costume
Chris Shapones
Stefanie Habel
Serena Hor
Compositing
Susie Shapones
Marieka Walsh
Amira Stanbouli
Sherrie Koo
Jomathan Delbridge
Script Consultants
Paula Thornton
Derena Hor
Louise Gough
Special Thanks
Rebecca Ladd
Samar Stanbouli
