Geelong-made movie Paper Champions to arrive on Netflix on February 1

An uplifting and quirky comedy produced by Geelong filmmakers and filmed entirely on location around the city is about to debut on streaming giant Netflix.

A HOMEGROWN film is coming to streaming giant Netflix.

Paper Champions, which was filmed in Geelong, will be available via the platform from Monday, February 1.

The film is a quirky and uplifting comedy about Rey, a young man who wants to find love.

Directed by Jo-Anne Brechin, the film follows Rey, as he navigates the different notions of ‘manhood’ while discovering his inner power.

Rey is portrayed by Geelong’s own Luke Saliba while fellow cast members Gary Sweet, John Tui and Genevieve Morris brought decades of experience to the set.

Luke and Erin Saliba run Paperless Films and are about to debut their feature film Paper Champions. Picture: Peter Ristevski

Saliba was also a producer on the film alongside wife Erin and Alexandros Ouzas.

Paper Champions was produced by Paperless Films and Exile Entertainment and is an adaptation of the 2016 short film Rey.

Paper Champions is about to debut on Netflix. Picture: Instagram

It marked the first time in Geelong’s history that a large scale, independent film has been written, produced, funded, and shot entirely in the city.

It was shot on location in just 19 days in 2019, and debuted in 2020 through the Melbourne International Film Festival.

“We’re really excited to have the exposure, for us shooting an independent film and having the plan for a cinema release which was cut short by COVID, we’re really grateful and excited to be part of Netflix,” Mr Saliba said.

Originally published as Geelong-made movie Paper Champions to arrive on Netflix on February 1