Gladstone filmmaker Luke Graham's new project is close to home - a documentary charting the life and career of his father, NRL luminary Mark “Sharko” Graham.

Sharko is currently in production, with an expected national release next year.

The film will follow Graham's story from childhood in Otahuhu, New Zealand, to Australia in the 80s where he furthered his rugby league career, to captaining NZ in international competition. Those who know the sport say he's the greatest player New Zealand produced in a century of rugby league.

Sharko director Luke is a Gladstone-based filmmaker and organiser of the Capricorn Film Festival. He was the producer of Broke, the Gladstone-made film that took out the Film Jury Award for Best Screenplay at the 2016 SENE Film, Music and Art Festival. It also has an NRL theme, telling the (fictional) story of a former rugby league star's downfall and struggle with gambling and booze.

We'll let you know when there's a trailer available for Sharko, but in the meantime here's a look back at Broke: