 The budget was raised from the Australian Film Commission, GUO Film Distributors and the Bundaberg Sugar Company; the latter invested a third of the total sum.The budget was originally $650,000 but production of the film was delayed by 12 months by which time inflation meant it had risen to $800,000.Michael Pate originally wanted to direct the film himself but the AFC did not want him to write, produce and direct, so insisted he find a director.