Sam Leighton-Dore’s Sad Man Studio Spotlighted by Screen QLD

Screen QLD have recently sat down with Sad Man Studio, a boutique production company co-founded by Samual Leighton-Dore and Bradley Tennant. The couple have a unique and diverse slate, that includes original animated projects, large-scale visual artworks and live action concepts for film and television.

Two projects featured in profile include Seahorsies and Willy. The latter was recently announced as a co-production with Mad Ones and Ludo Studio at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival. It follows the titular teenager navigating sexuality, religion and masculinity while growing up on a struggling banana farm in Far North Queensland.

Seahorsies is an underwater celebration of queer families and co-parenting. Both projects have been supported through Screen Queensland’s Development Fund. Sad Man are focused on exploring themes of masculinity, sexuality, queerness, mental health and connection.

“In our projects, I hope that people see parts of themselves reflected back to them in a way that’s unexpected, funny and ultimately cathartic.” — Samuel Leighton-Dore 

The full profile can be read here and you can follow Sad Man Studio on Instagram here, to see the latest on their slate.