About Us
Skycross Entertainment is a multi awards nominated film production company based in Sydney, Australia. We are dedicated to creating compelling and impactful visual storytelling that resonates with global audiences. Our passion for excellence drives us to collaborate with talented professionals and bring creative visions to life.
Our Mission
Some companies are born out of necessity, others are born out of an obsession.
Skycross Entertainment is definitely the latter!
​
Here we have a bunch of film geeks who grew up absolutely obsessed with movies and the pure escapism they provide. Brilliantly crafted films that provoke raw emotion, are ones we often revisit time and time again. They remind us of people, a time and place, or certain events which have helped to shape our lives.
We are storytellers that are inspired by our motion picture heroes who paved the way before us. Creative geniuses such as Robert Zemeckis, Sergio Leone, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma, David Fincher, and the list goes on. Over the years they have provided worlds that make us wonder, scare us, laugh out loud, and cry.
And just like our filmmaking heroes, we strive to create films that inspire, entertain, and provoke thought, fostering a deep connection between the audience and the narratives we present. Always rooting for the underdog, we use the powerful medium of film to shed light on important issues and contribute to the betterment of society.
One day when you sit back and relax to enjoy a film, you could see the Skycross Entertainment logo flash across the screen. If you do, then rest assured you're about to experience something which pushes the boundaries of cinematic expression and will take you on one hell of a ride!
And we thank you very much for supporting our content.
See you at the movies!
The Creative Minds Behind Skycross
The Creative Minds Behind Skycross
The Creative Minds Behind Skycross
The Creative Minds Behind Skycross
The creative minds behind Skycross
Ronnie S. Riskalla is an award-winning Screenwriter and Director who produced dozens of films as a young child with only a Betacam. In High-school he studied film and drama in and performed regularly in school talent shows.
​
He then attended a private film college before going on to attend workshops at AFTRS. and studying at UCLA film-school extension learning from professional crew working in Hollywood. In his professional life he has worked in the cinema industry for over 20 years as a Projectionist & Technical Manager, managing 35mm projectors and into the digital cinema era. He also ran special event screenings to filmmakers and distributors. It was only after attending The Hollywood Film School run by film guru Dov S-S Simens he produced & directed his experimental feature film: The Day Hollywood Died which was the official selection at (ECU) The European Film Festival in France.
​
In 2011 his production company Rising Pictures acquired the distribution rights for ANZ for feature film Mooz-Lum, a film starring Danny Glover and Nia long.
​
He then worked for Deluxe Entertainment where he managed the digital delivery and QC of hundreds of feature film and TV content for the major Hollywood studios, Netflix, Hulu and all streaming platforms as well as local media content. Ronnie S. Riskalla' s 2nd feature film ‘Streets of Colour’ an urban coming-of-age drama shot in Western Sydney which tackles racism and cultural identity, recently finished its theatrical release across Australia and is now available on all major digital platforms. The film was screened at Parliament of NSW to help pass new amendments to the government's anti-racism bill.
​
Streets of Colour has been nominated for The Australian Academy Awards (AACTA) for BEST INDIE FILM and was nominated for BEST FILM PRODUCTION at the Screen Producers Association Awards (SPA). Through his production company SkyCross Entertainment, Ronnie is currently developing a psychological crime-thriller, supernatural-horror feature film and a true-crime TV series.
​
Ronnie recently finished up on Kriv Stender’s feature film - The Correspondent as the Director’s Attachment which is currently in post-production, he was also the cultural and language consultant.
​
Ronnie has been invited to speak at AFTRS on numerous occasions about independent film-making, Diverse filmmaking and about indie film distribution at Flickerfest Film Festival's Flickerlab panel, and The Made In The West Film Festival.
Drew Pearson is an actor and producer who has studied at ACTT - Actors college of Theatre and Television and then attended the Australian Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2007(3 yrs).
​
In 2012 Drew played Ronnie Menton, a leading role in The Day Hollywood Died which was the official finalist for the 2012 European Independent Film Festival held In Paris. Drew also associate produced the film. In 2015 Drew played the self-loathing character Jack Drain in The 5th Shadow, opposite Joel Mcilroy (Home and Away/ Changi ) He also appeared in a small role as a reporter in Suing The Devil starring (Malcolm MacDowell - Clock Work Orange), Tom Sizemore (Saving private Ryan / Heat). Drew then played a gritty and dodgy Doherty in the 1920's film 50-50 alongside (Jess Mcnamee - The Vow/ Mortal Combat). His other Film and TV credits roll on including Horizons Crossing, (Aaron Glenane- Deadline Gallipoli\Danger Close ). An Open Letter to Uncle Edgar (Cannes Short corner) and guest roles in the ABC Award winning AFI Comedy Double the Fist 1 & 2. Following on in 2023, Drew starred in Streets of Colour alongside logie nominee Rahel Romahn (Gods favourite idiot, Wizards, The Combination).
His theatre credits include highly acclaimed Don Juan On Trial as the enchanting Don Juan directed by Marin Mimica, Our Town playing the ignorant and blatant Mr Webb, Easy Virtue and The Visit directed by NIDA graduate Steven Rassios. Other credits include Miss Julie, The Jungle and The Shifting Heart. In 2014 Drew was officially selected into AIPA'S Professional Actors masterclass held in Los Angeles where he worked with Casting Directors from major studio, networks.
​
Drew now has passion for creating works from scratch only taking on roles that will challenge his mental and physical stature. Drew plans to film an array of film concepts he has come up with over the years and has a desire to affect and change people through his creative concepts. He also has am immense passion for business and Co founded another start up ( The Naturool Co) An Australian Eco alternative company. He looks forward to putting SkyCross Entertainment on the world map and making high quality feature films that will live with it's viewers for years to come.
Nenif David is an actor and producer who has been in the industry for a number of years. Having studied at various institutions including workshops at NIDA, Nenif has appeared in shows such as Packed to the Rafters and worked alongside the likes of Bryan Brown and Sam Neil in Old School.
Nenif played the role of Johnny Henson, a comedic character in the independent feature film, The Day Hollywood Died. Nenif was also involved in the production of the film which was officially selected at the ECU Film Festival in Paris.
Most recently Nenif played the role of Andrew in the feature film, Streets of Colour which hit cinemas in 2023. Nenif was also an Associate and Executive Producer on the film. It was nominated for best independent feature at the 2024 AACTA awards.
Having experienced both sides of the camera, Nenif's drive and passion continues to excel with a number of upcoming projects demanding his services.
Nenif has also obtained degrees in Bachelor of Design and Technology and a Masters of Professional Accounting to further his professional career.
After 20 years working in large scale I.T industry projects, Matt Bonnici brings a methodical approach to the SkyCross team as its Head of Operations.
Matt’s Technical and Operational experience across global markets including EMEA, UK, USA and APAC regions will make him pivotal to SkyCross’s growth in the coming years. ​
​
Matt completed film school in 2006 majoring in Production Design / Art Direction.
Since then he has also attended Design related workshops at The Australian Film, Television & Radio School.
In 2012 Matt was the Production Designer for the experimental feature film:
The Day Hollywood Died which had a limited theatrical run in Sydney and Melbourne and was officially selected at the ECU Film Festival premiering in Paris, France.
​
In 2018 Matt worked on the feature film “Of Time and the Sea” under renowned Maltese Production Designer / Art Director Charlo Dalli (Jurassic World Dominion 2022, Foundation (Apple TV) 2021, Murder on the Orient Express 2017). The film was shot on location in Malta at Fort Ricasoli, the same location as films such as Gladiator (2000) , Troy (2004), Assassins Creed (2016), to mention a few.
​
In 2023 Matt became a member of the Australian Production Design Guild.
​
So far in 2024 Matt has closely worked with Production Designer Fiona Donovan on Director Kriv Stender's latest feature "The Correspondent", and Production Designer
Emma Fletcher on the BBC Studios produced "Return to Paradise".
​
Matt firmly believes that good design should serve and add value to the story being told.
Skycross Partners
Dr Raj Patankar
Executive Producer
Rishi Raj Films
(Get in touch with Skycross to contact)
Dr Raj is a specialist medico in Australia with a passion for films. His career in performing arts started with acting in plays of Veteran Bollywood writer actor director Kadar Khan. From Hindi stage his career moved to Bombay Television and Bollywood films.
​
He is the CEO of Rishi Raj Films in Australia and rajvidya productions in India. He turned to movie making in Australia in 2014. He was an associate producer of “Hit Girls “with Maria Tran. His short film “Gifted “as an Executive Producer opened doors of Hollywood for actor Nicolas Hamilton in which Cameron Robbie brother of Margot Robbie made his debut in acting.
​
His Indo-Australian production “Dream Catcher “starring Bollywood legend Dharmendra has been released on Mx Player, Hungama. It is expected to be soon released on Amazon.
He has also been organiser of Bollywood concerts in India and overseas, the last one been with Shreya Ghoshal in Auckland in 2022.
​
Dr Raj is honoured to be part of the team and overseeing Streets of Colour as Chief Executive Producer as he is passionate about promoting culture within the arts in Australia
Yolandi Franken
FRANKENDIPITY ENTERPRISES
Producer
john@skycrossentertainment.com
(Get in touch with Skycross to contact)
Yolandi Franken is a Film and TV Producer, TV-host and industry all-rounder and
has been in showbiz since the turn of the century. She produced three feature films; Turbines (Amazon Prime), Tabernacle 101 (USA Cinema release, Amazon Prime, Tubi, Google Play, Apple TV, Hulu) and Streets of Colour, two TV series; The Fast Lane (South-East Asian Broadcast) and Miss Multiverse Australia (Amazon Prime, Tubi), a three-part documentary series called Yols Discover, and hundreds of shorter format stories. Her works got accepted into many prestigious film festivals andreceived over thirty festival wins.
Her project, Carmen & Bolude, which was written by Michela Carattini and Bolude Watson, received financial support from the National Film Body, Screen Australia and was accepted into the 2021 MIFF (Melbourne International Film Festival)’s 37° South Market. The film, which she produces with Michela, was also the only Australian film from the 41 films accepted into the 2021 Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (IFF) at the Toronto International Film Festival
(TIFF).