about
Sal Balharrie grew up on a sheep station and wrote stories in a peppercorn tree which she turned into books but as customers only extended to her two dogs and humans were light on the ground, she was forced to take another job, stenciling the name of the property - Roseneath - onto the side of wool bales.
“I am thrilled to announce i am now working with Harper Collins to publish my novels.”
current projects
bio
Sal’s creative journey began in Adland where she wrote and directed over 20 short films for clients such as Ray Ban, Patricia Piccinini’s Skywhale and The Australian Ballet.
In 2013, she began writing, directing and creating exclusively for screen and publication. Primarily a writer, Sal’s original concepts and projects span two areas - FACT - documentary work and FICTION scripted drama including the screen adaptation of her published novels.
FICTION // When it comes to scripted drama, Sal is drawn to writing physiological dramas set deep within the dynamics of a family.
creating stories for women who crave prestige drama with bite. Signing her first show CALYPSO CHEW! WHAT’S UP WITH YOU Beyond Productions in 2015, this was closely followed by her second KID A’S DAY to Komixx Entertainment in 2017. Now Sal’s focus is I DO WEDDINGS a crime drama set in a family run wedding venue or creating animation for women via HOT HOUSE TIGER MAMA (late stage development with the ambitious irreverence of the team at Hoodlum / Hooligan Animation Aus/ LA) Sal’s slate is small, rich and impeccably ‘now’. Sal has recently signed a two book deal for global release of her original work with publisher Harper Collins. Her first novel THE EXCHANGE STUDENT is set for publication in 2026 and with the follow-up NO PARTY to be released in 2027. Adaptation and film rights for both titles remain with the author. Readers will immediately appreciate the ‘filmic’ nature of each page and can expect screen adaptations to be a logical and exciting next step.
FACT // There is no doubt her critically acclaimed, feature length documentary LIKE MY BROTHER - with a world premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival 2024 + broad festival run + Australian cinemas release * - is a career highlight.
Made over six years, this project was all consuming. In May 2025, Sal returned to the NT and QLD to direct a short film set in four remote communities for THE FUTURE IS FREEDOM a 30 min film celebrating Murrup, formerly the Cathy Freeman Foundation. She is currently finishing the edit of a film about female empowerment in Kenya via tabletop banking and micro-financing - MIRROR OF HOPE. In 2025 Sal founded I SEE Doco Lab - a 12 week accelerator taking students from spark to screen and all bits in between. The aim of I SEE DOCO LAB is to fast track film makers TO achieve a specific project goal and to build a community of kindness - both outcomes being light on the ground in the film industry.