George Basha is a multifaceted creative individual, born in Parramatta, Western Sydney, to Lebanese migrants who faced the challenges of settling in a new country. Growing up on the tough streets of western Sydney, George's early life was marked by the struggles of his parents as they worked to build a new life for themselves and their family.
In 1997, George landed his first acting role in the feature film "Blackrock", alongside the late Heath Ledger, directed by Steve Vidler. Although this initial taste of filmmaking was exciting, George soon found it difficult to secure subsequent acting roles. His agent at the time explained that it was hard to get him auditions due to his ethnicity, a reality that many people of color face in the industry.
Undeterred, George decided to take matters into his own hands and wrote the feature film "The Combination". This personal project allowed George to tell a story that was close to his heart, one that reflected his own experiences growing up in western Sydney. As well as writing the script, George co-produced and played the lead role of John.
"The Combination" opened in cinemas in 2009 to strong box office and positive reviews. Movie Show critics, Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton, praised the film, rating it four and a half stars out of five. The film's success was short-lived, however, as it was controversially pulled from all Event Cinemas nationally after a fight broke out at a Parramatta screening.
In 2014, George wrote and produced his second feature film, "Convict", which he also co-directed and starred in alongside playing the lead role of Ray. "Convict" has been a commercial success, selling out quickly on DVD and achieving high sales in retail outlets, particularly in Western Sydney.
As a producer, George has demonstrated his ability to secure funding for his projects outside of traditional funding structures, and each of his films has enjoyed profitable returns. This independence has allowed George to maintain creative control and tell the stories that he wants to tell.
In 2019, George wrote, produced, and starred in "The Combination Redemption", which opened theatrically around Australia. David Stratton again praised the film, rating it four stars out of five. George secured funding independently for the film, and it is currently sold to Netflix.
Throughout his career, George has faced challenges and overcome obstacles, but his determination and passion for storytelling have allowed him to achieve success on his own terms. As a writer, producer, director, and actor, George Basha is a true pioneer in the Australian film industry.
