Leeton actor Jake Speer will be filming his new short film Inside Water in town later this year and he’s bringing some of his famous friends with him in Myles Pollard and Maggie Dence. 

Due to be filmed in April, Inside Water was written by Mr Speer and tells the story of a young farmer who has inherited a failing sheep farm in the wake of his father's suicide and must protect his family and his scarce water supply from a rising threat.

According to Mr Speer it is a film set against the back drop of the harsh Australian landscape during a time of global economic and social collapse. 

With cast and crew expected to land in town for an undetermined amount of time, Leeton Shire Council’s economic development co-ordinator Monica Armanini was positive there would be numerous benefits. 

“We are delighted a short film produced by talented (Leeton actor) Jake Speer will be filmed in Leeton,” she said.

“This will bring several economic benefits to the shire generated from the use of accommodation, food and other business services. 

“The film is also a great opportunity to showcase Leeton and surrounds as a wonderful destination to live, work and play.”

The film is currently the focus of a crowd funding campaign and Leeton shire residents can help out by donating even the smallest of amounts to ensure its completion. 

“We aim to begin filming in late April this year and use Leeton as our home base for the cast and crew during our week long production,” Mr Speer said.

“This will involve transporting a cast and crew of 20 talented professionals, along with all of the required film and sound equipment, props and costumes, that are being purchased, designed and constructed in Sydney to Leeton for filming.”

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Mr Speer is in Melbourne rehearsing for a play at the new Alex Theatre in St Kilda called Hand To God, which he described as “an outrageously filthy American comedy with puppets”. It opens on February 22. 

Leeton Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Matt Gatt was also enthusiastic about the project. 

“It’s a good way to be putting Leeton on the map … hopefully what we will see happen is people coming here to see where it was filmed or it might even attract other productions to film here,” he said. 

“I think it’s great Jake is bringing this here. We need to be putting Leeton on the map nationally and then going even further to do that globally. 

“This is one of the ways that can help us achieve that.”

If you would like to help Mr Speer bring this film to Leeton you can donate any amount – big or small by visiting Go Fund Me and searching for Inside Water.