alyssa.lim@screenaustralia.gov.au

After hosting FUTURE VISION in Melbourne for the past two years, Australians in Film and Screen Australia today announce the creation of FUTURE VISION Forward, an eight-month online television project development lab designed to cultivate ambitious Australian television creators and accelerate the creation of globally competitive original IP.

FUTURE VISION Forward will be led by television executive and Chief Creative Officer of Anonymous Content David Levine (True Detective, 13 Reasons Why, Boy Swallows Universe), who was a guest at the inaugural FUTURE VISION in 2024. Featured guests on the industry panels include Oscar and Emmy-nominated and BAFTA-winning writer Tony McNamara (Poor Thing, The Great, The Favourite), acclaimed writer Anchuli Felicia King (The Sympathizer, Mary & George) and DGA award-winning and Emmy and BAFTA-nominated director Shannon Murphy (Dying for Sex, Killing Eve), who has just finished directing and executive producing The Age of Innocence in Prague.

FUTURE VISION Forward is a strategic response to the findings of the highly acclaimed FUTURE VISION industry conference, which attracted some of the world’s leading television creators, including Lee Sung Jin (BEEF), Joanna Calo (The Bear), Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer), Sally Wainwright (Happy Valley) and Soo Hugh (Pachinko).

Eight original television projects will be selected by an international committee of highly respected commissioning and buying executives, chosen for their creative excellence and potential to resonate with global audiences. Through an intensive online development lab, participants will receive strategic mentorship and industry guidance, providing a clear pathway from project development to a polished, market-ready pitch.

Through a combination of craft workshops, leadership training, mentorship and industry engagement, the lab will encourage a cohesive team environment and will equip writers, producers and development executives with the skills required not only to create compelling series but to lead them creatively and strategically.

FUTURE VISION Forward is built around a simple goal: to elevate the ambition and global reach of Australian television storytelling.

The lab will integrate international best practices with the Australian television model, offering insight into a variety of international development principles and how they can operate within the Australian system. The program will feature leading creators, writers and producers from across the globe including the US, the UK and Canada.

Peter Ritchie, Executive Director of Australians in Film, said:

“Over the past two years, FUTURE VISION has connected Australian creatives with some of the world’s leading television creators, inspiring bold new ideas and globally relevant Australian stories.

“FUTURE VISION Forward is the natural evolution of that mission. The conversations sparked through FUTURE VISION highlighted the need for ongoing creative development and strategic support to help great ideas become market-ready projects. By evolving into an innovative online initiative, we’re able to provide writers, creators and producers with greater access to world-class mentors and industry expertise, wherever they are.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Screen Australia for their ongoing support and David Levine, Anchuli Felicia King, Tony McNamara and Shannon Murphy for lending their expertise to FUTURE VISION Forward. Their experience at the highest levels of the international industry will provide invaluable insight and inspiration, helping Australian creators shape stories that can resonate with audiences around the world.”

Harry Avramidis, Screen Australia Head of International & Industry Partnerships, said:

“FUTURE VISION Forward represents an exciting new pathway in Australia’s scripted development ecosystem. By connecting Australian creatives with world-class international expertise at an early stage, the program provides a focused, project-driven environment where projects can be challenged, refined and positioned for global success.

“Through fostering creative collaboration and strengthening international partnerships, FUTURE VISION Forward elevates Australian stories to travel further while showcasing the depth, diversity and originality of our Australian screen talent to audiences around the world. We are proud to partner in this initiative, co-designed with Australians in Film, and excited by the opportunities it creates for Australian creatives to build meaningful industry connections, advance distinctive television series and bring more Australian stories to the global stage.”

David Levine, Chief Creative Officer, Anonymous Content, said:

“Having participated in the inaugural FUTURE VISION in 2024, I loved being part of the exceptional Australian creative community and it’s only grown my appetite for meaningful creative exchange. Being able to participate and support FUTURE VISION Forward is a real honour and I can’t wait to develop the deeply authentic Australian creators who will join us in this inaugural lab. We all have the remarkable capacity to create series that resonate well beyond our own borders and I deeply appreciate Australians in Film and Screen Australia for the opportunity to put my innate curiosity into practice.”

For more information and to apply visit FUTURE VISION Forward.

Headshots and bios here.

Presenting and Design Partners:

Australians in Film and Screen Australia

Media enquiries

Jane Lunn
+61 402 248 811 | jane@janelunn.com.au

Australians in Film (AiF), in partnership with Screen Australia, has today announced the return of its talent development initiative, UNTAPPED, for 2026.

Now entering its sixth year, UNTAPPED has established itself as one of Australia’s leading pathways for emerging screen talent, connecting the country’s most promising filmmakers with world-class industry knowledge, mentorship and creative networks.

This year’s Masterclass Series will spotlight a remarkable group of Australian screen creatives who have achieved breakthrough success with their original work over the past year—some of whom are alumni of the UNTAPPED program.

The 2026 UNTAPPED Masterclass speakers include:

• Adrian Chiarella, whose debut feature Leviticus premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Neon for U.S. distribution. The film opened in Australia and the United States last week.
• Kalu Oji (UNTAPPED 2021), whose debut feature film Pasa Faho had its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2025 and is currently streaming on SBS On Demand.
• AP Pobjoy (UNTAPPED 2022), whose debut series Homebodies premiered at Series Mania in France in 2026. A Screen Australia and SBS Digital Original, the series is currently streaming on SBS On Demand.
• Jasmine Yang, is the Development Executive for Glitch Productions, an independent animation studio based in Sydney, Australia that just released The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act which has grossed over $37.6 million globally.

The theme of this year’s Masterclass Series is Creative Collaboration, exploring the partnerships and creative relationships that help bring compelling screen stories to life.

Additional creative collaborators joining the speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Combining open-call masterclasses—available to anyone wishing to learn from some of Australia’s most exciting screen creatives—with an intensive development lab for a select group of filmmakers chosen through a competitive application process, UNTAPPED provides participants with current global market insights, industry expertise and invaluable opportunities for mentorship, inspiration and community-building.

For the first time, the 2026 development lab will focus on professional and career development rather than the advancement of specific projects, equipping participants with the skills, knowledge and industry connections needed to build sustainable careers in the screen industry.

Over the past five years, UNTAPPED has developed a proven track record of helping launch the careers of Australia’s next generation of screen storytellers. Alumni from both the Masterclass Series and Development Lab have gone on to make their first feature films, secure television commissions, advance projects into production and development, and gain their first professional opportunities within the screen industry.

Australians in Film Executive Director, Peter Ritchie, said, “What began as an initiative during the COVID pandemic has evolved into a highly meaningful international talent development pathway for Australia’s most exciting emerging screen creatives. This year’s Masterclass lineup perfectly reflects what UNTAPPED is all about—discovering, nurturing and championing bold new voices whose stories will resonate with audiences around the world.”

“We are incredibly grateful to all of our Masterclass speakers for generously sharing their experiences and insights, and to Screen Australia for their continued commitment to supporting the next generation of Australian screen talent through this important initiative.”

Screen Australia Head of International & Industry Partnerships, Harry Avramidis, said, “Since its launch in 2020, UNTAPPED has consistently showcased the depth, diversity and originality of Australian storytelling, helping to fast-track bold new talent. It supports emerging storytellers to find their voice, maintain their authenticity, share their perspectives and build the communities and partnerships that are the pillars of not only successful individual careers but a strong and sustainable Australian screen industry.”

“It’s particularly exciting to see former UNTAPPED alumni return as masterclass speakers—now recognised among Australia’s most exciting storytellers—alongside other distinguished creative visionaries who are challenging industry norms, forging new pathways and reshaping the screen landscape. We’re deeply grateful to all of our speakers, and to Australians in Film for their partnership.”

Applications and registrations for UNTAPPED 2026 are open now.

For more information about UNTAPPED 2026, please visit: https://australiansinfilm.org/

About Australians in Film

Australians in Film (AiF) is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing Australian screen talent internationally. Through education, professional development, networking and mentorship opportunities, AiF supports Australian creatives at every stage of their careers and helps build meaningful connections between Australia and the global entertainment industry.

About Screen Australia

Screen Australia is the Australian Federal Government agency charged with supporting the development, production and promotion of Australian narrative, documentary and children’s content, across television, feature films, online and games. Screen Australia also administers Australia’s Official Co-production program, in addition to the Producer Offset incentive. The agency provides a broad range of resources and opportunities to the industry including access to research, market intelligence and special initiatives.

Bios

Adrian Chiarella

Adrian is an award-winning Australian screenwriter and director. His debut feature, Leviticus, premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it was acquired by NEON. The film was also the Opening Night selection at the 2026 New Directors/New Films Festival at Lincoln Centre/MoMa, as well as playing in competition at the 2026 Sydney Film Festival. The film, alongside screenings at SXSW, Frameline, NewFest and SXSW London, opened in the US and Australia in June 2026. Adrian’s television directing credits include Totally Completely Fine (Fremantle Media, 2023) and Five Bedrooms (Hoodlum Entertainment/Paramount+, 2023), as well as television writing credits on Erotic Stories (SBS) for which he won an AWGIE Award for his work. Adrian’s short films have also played numerous international festivals, including Clemont-Ferrand, Sydney Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival and Outfest, and earned him nominations from both AACTA and the Australian Directors Guild.

AP Pobjoy

Named one of Inside Film’s Rising Talent, AP Pobjoy is an award-winning, ADG-nominated writer/director based in Gadigal Land. AP is the creator, lead writer, and one of the directors of drama series Homebodies (SBS), which premiered in competition at Series Mania 2026.

It was one of only two Australian works selected for the festival, receiving a Special Mention in the Short Form category and praised as a Global Breakout by Deadline. AP wrote and directed the series Unerased, nominated for SPA’s Online Series Production of the Year, and the documentary Why Did She Have To Tell The World?, which earned an ADG nomination, won Best Film at the Mardi Gras Film Festival’s My Queer Career and was nominated for the Iris Prize. Their work has been recognised by The Guardian, The Age, Stronger Than Fiction, RUUSH Magazine and Global Citizen. AP’s work explores family, memory, transformation and identity through character-driven storytelling.

Kalu Oji

Kalu Oji is a filmmaker and educator whose practice is rooted in process-driven collaboration and the exploration of memory, place, and identity. Working in film and television for over a decade, his projects have screened at major international film festivals including the BFI London Film Festival, Palm Springs ShortFest, Sydney Film Festival and the Atlanta Film Festival, where in 2019 he was named the ‘Filmmaker to Watch’. His debut feature film Pasa Faho premiered at the 2025 Melbourne International Film Festival to sold-out audiences, before going on to screen at the Chicago International Film Festival, Glasgow Film Festival and the Africa International Film Festival, where it was awarded Best International Feature Film. In early 2026, Pasa Faho completed a national theatrical tour of Australia and is now available for streaming via SBS On Demand. Kalu is currently in development with his sophomore feature film.

Jasmine Yang

Jasmine is the Development Executive for Glitch Productions, an independent animation studio based in Sydney, Australia that just released The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act which grossed over US$37.6 million globally. Having grown with the company since close to its inception, she has overseen every single series, product and project, working across creative development, scripting, voice acting direction, marketing, merchandise and distribution. In her private life, she is a prolific tabletop gaming writer and amateur voice actor.

Media Enquiries

Jane Lunn

+61 402 248 811 | jane@janelunn.com.au

Your feedback matters. 

Following the instrumental insights provided in 2025, Screen Australia is launching its second Australian Screen Industry Survey.

We’re inviting you to participate to help us better understand how we can meet the challenges and opportunities of the local screen and games industry. 
 
This is an opportunity to provide direct feedback on Screen Australia’s support and identify key priorities for the industry. Your insights play an important role in shaping our long-term strategy to support screen practitioners, future initiatives and our annually updated Corporate Plan. 

Last year’s survey helped inform elements of Screen Australia’s evolution including our new purpose and the five strategic pillars, the upcoming Screen Currency report, the upcoming Private Investment Toolkit, streamlined programs and guidelines, the PICA report, a refresh of our Market & Audience approach and features of the relaunched website. 

Take the Australian Screen Industry Survey 2026.  

The survey period closes at 11.59pm AEST on Sunday 5 July. 

We value your input and encourage you to share this survey with your colleagues in the industry. 
 
Thank you! 
 
The Screen Australia Team 

The ABC, Screen Australia and VicScreen are thrilled to announce that Do Not Watch This Show Season 2 launches at 6.00am on Friday 3 July on ABC iview and 7.30pm on Monday 6 July on ABC Family.

The animated series, adapted from Andy Lee’s bestselling book series Do Not Open This Book, broke viewing records last year with the biggest launch of a new Children and Family show in the history of ABC iview*.

Season 2 sees the return of Wizz, a blue monster who is determined to stop the show in its tracks. Still refusing to accept that he is the star of the show, Wizz goes to more extreme lengths to get kids to switch off. Wizz and his friends embark on exciting new adventures including visits from intergalactic creatures and travelling back in time.

Andy Lee returns as the voice of Wizz, alongside an all-star voice cast featuring Denise Scott, Joel Creasey, Kura Forrester and Dave Hughes.

Catch up on Season 1 of Do Not Watch This Show on ABC iview now.

Production credit: Do Not Watch This Show Season 2 is a Lee Bones Production for ABC. Major production funding from the ABC and Screen Australia. Financed in association with VicScreen. Directed by Patrick Crawley. Series Producer Nick Campbell. Line Producer Megan Brock. Written by Andy Lee, Jason Marion and Ray Matsen. Designed by Heath McKenzie. Producers Andy Lee and Greg Sitch.

For further information, contact Lidia Williams, ABC Publicity, on  Williams.Lidia@abc.net.au

*Source: OzTAM VOZ Total TV and BVOD, National, Average Audience, When Watched period 04.07.2025-17.07.2025, OzTAM VPM Minutes.

The ABC, Screen Australia and Screen NSW are thrilled to announce that production has started on Emma’s Dance Club, a brand-new children’s live action series created by beloved performer Emma Watkins and produced by Wooden Horse (Mother and Son) and Apricot Sea (Emma Memma).

When Emma debuts a new dance club in the delightful country town of Spudson, four local kids discover it’s more than just pirouettes and pop steps. Future-Prime Minister Madi, lovable wallflower Milo, clumsy pocket-rocket Albie and energetic style-queen Chika, soon discover that learning to dance is a little bit of magic and a whole lot of fun.

As this funny, feel-good series unfolds, Emma’s Dance Club becomes a community hub where the kids – and sometimes the grown-ups – boogie through life’s ups and downs together.

Emma’s Dance Club is directed by Guy Edmonds (Caper Crew) and Shari Sebbens (Top End Bub).

Emma Watkins, Director at Apricot Sea, said, “Bringing Emma’s Dance Club to life alongside such a talented team of Australian creatives has been an absolute privilege. Together, we have built a vibrant, joyful world centred on movement, friendship and genuine connection, created with love, not just for children, but for families everywhere.”

Jude Troy, Joint CEO, Wooden Horse, said, “Wooden Horse is thrilled to partner with Apricot Sea and the ABC to create a legacy brand in live action children’s television. Thanks to the enormously talented and charismatic Emma Watkins, this dance-forward comedy will fast become a family favourite with its grounded humour and a healthy dose of mischief. Directors Guy Edmonds and Shari Sebbens have gathered an incredible team, both on and off screen, to create this charming, aspirational world, showcasing a fabulous ensemble of kids and featuring some very exciting adult cameos.”

Melinda Wearne, ABC Head of Children & Family, said, “We’re excited to welcome Emma’s Dance Club to ABC Kids – a delightful new narrative preschool series led by the endlessly energetic and beloved Emma Watkins and introducing an incredible emerging cast of Australian kids. The series celebrates the joys of dancing, friendship and community. Full of optimism and enthusiasm, Emma’s Dance Club will have our audiences twirling, tapping and twisting their daily dilemmas away.”

Louise Gough, Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content, said, “Created by an award-winning local team and infused with the vibrancy of an Australian regional town, Emma’s Dance Club is unmistakably Australian. Emma Watkins’ magic is her unique ability to connect with our littlest audiences and their families. Emma’s Dance Club celebrates the joys of friendship and community through the wonder of song and dance.”

Kylie Munnich, Screen NSW Executive Director, said, “Emma’s Dance Club is an exciting new project from Emma Watkins, one of our most beloved performers, and features meaningful representation on screen, which children right across Australia will be able to connect with. Our state is fast becoming a hub for family-friendly screen production and Screen NSW is thrilled to support Wooden Horse as they expand into the children’s content space. I’m sure Emma’s Dance Club will be a series the entire family can enjoy together when it releases on ABC.”

Emma’s Dance Club will air on ABC Kids and ABC iview in 2027. Catch up on all of your favourite children’s programs on ABC iview now.

Production credit: Emma’s Dance Club is a Wooden Horse and Apricot Sea production for the ABC. Major production investment from Screen Australia and the ABC. Financed in association with Screen NSW and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. International sales by ABC Commercial. Developed with assistance of the ABC and Australian Children’s Television Foundation.

For further information, contact Lidia Williams, ABC Publicity, on Williams.Lidia@abc.net.au

Network 10 and Screen Australia today debut First Facts: First Nations Factual Showcase collection on 10 Streaming.

The six short documentaries by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmakers spanning Country, culture and generation, are supported by Screen Australia’s First Nations Department through a competitive pitch process for development and production funding.

The collection includes Re-imagining Our Futures: birthing, Aṉangu Way, Ornmol, Life After Footy, Firekeepers “Flames of Renewal: Fighting for Cultural Survival” and Burabura.

Yeesum Lo, VP Content Business Affairs & Strategy, Paramount Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), said, “These films are bold, intimate and deeply resonant – exactly the kind of stories Australian audiences need to see more of. We’re proud to bring them to 10 Streaming.”

Screen Australia Head of First Nations Content Gillian Moody-Ardler said, “The First Facts documentaries celebrate the richness of First Nations culture and exciting voices of Indigenous storytellers.”

“Our collaboration with Network 10 provides audiences across the country the opportunity to engage with stories presenting a unique intersection of contemporary life and multifaceted traditional practices reflective of the ongoing connections to people and place across Country.” 

The First Facts: First Nations Factual Showcase received funding support from Screen NSW and Screenwest.

About the First Facts: First Nations Factual Showcase documentaries:

In Re-imagining Our Futures: birthing, we meet Nyikina and Jabirr Jabirr woman, Kalinda (Gal) Palmer, who is a gentle but fierce young mother. As an Aboriginal woman, she has experienced the ways in which western medical systems have let her down and she dreams of returning to traditional birthing practices. Inspired by yarns with her elders, Gal dreams of a future where she, her family and community have sovereignty over birthing ceremony and tradition. A future where she can bring new life into the world on Country in a way that she has always imagined. Re-imagining Our Futures: birthing is a Kirri Media production with Kimberley Benjamin, Shari Hutchison and Kalinda Palmer.

Aṉangu Way follows Keenan Stevens, a Noongar and Spinifex father of three, as he drives ten hours from Perth to Cundeelee – his father’s Country – for the first time in almost 30 years. Keenan hopes to rebuild his relationship with his dad, Lydon, and learn more about his culture. As they journey together on Country, Lydon shares stories from the past that Keenan has never heard and as father teaches son how to make a miru (woomera), Keenan reconnects with his history and the Aṉangu way of life. Aṉangu Way is a Goguljar Yok production with Tace Stevens and Brooke Collard.

Ornmol is set in the Kimberley region in northwestern Australia, where a small community school ends each day with the Joonba ritual, in which all the children dance. This connection to their culture and Country helps the young people to develop a deep trust in themselves and their surroundings. Ornmol follows the children of Kupungarri as they collect ochre and prepare to dance at one of the biggest cultural events of the year, the Mowanjum Festival. Ornmol is a Regen Studios production with Marlikka Perdrisat, Jayde Harding, Anna Kaplan and Damon Gameau.

From the mountain peak of professional Australian sport to the reality of life after, Life After Footy follows Indigenous dual premiership AFL player Lewis Jetta on what it’s like to ride the wave of professional sport and continue living life the best way he can. Life After Footy is a Ramu Productions and Ardiol Creative production with Daniel Riches, Luke Riches, Jodie Bell and Devina McPherson.

Firekeepers “Flames of Renewal: Fighting for Cultural Survival” is set against the backdrop of increasing bushfires and climate change, and follows a First Nations community embarking on a journey to restore traditional cultural burning practices, preserve their ancestral knowledge and protect their land. Firekeepers “Flames of Renewal: Fighting for Cultural Survival” is a Garuwa production with Jack Steele, Kieran Satour, Genevieve Grieves and Ramona Telecican.

Burabura is a love letter to the Australian bush that captures the essence of its beauty and serenity in every frame, reminding us that sometimes, the greatest adventures are the ones that take us back to our roots. Burabura is a WS Media production with Tyson Mowarin and Robyn Marais.

First Facts: First Nations Factual Showcase is now available to stream on 10.

Want to know more? Get in touch with:
Vanessa Menser
Communications Manager
E: vmenser@networkten.com.au

Three original Australian children’s series will soon be released on YouTube (Made For Kids) thanks to the Kids IP Incubator, a Screen Australia and Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) initiative to develop Australian IP for children’s programs on digital platforms.

In 2025, eight teams took part in the Incubator, receiving expert guidance and advice through in person workshops and online masterclasses while developing their projects. After pitching to a panel of ACTF and Screen Australia representatives, and international digital content strategist Nico Lockhart, three projects were selected to receive production funding. Those three projects will launch their YouTube channels in coming weeks.

The three successful teams and their projects are:

• Worm Diner from Victorian-based team Strange Mage, produced by Monique Mulcahy (Aunty Donna) and written and directed by emerging creatives Caitlyn Staples (web series Nark Mikoladis the Trading Card King) and Millie Holten (web series Long Head).
  
  Worm Diner is a kids narrative comedy show aimed at children aged 7-11, set in a quirky family diner at the edge of the multiverse. Inside, the distantly related Worm family serve weird and wonderful characters from across the cosmos. Fast-paced, joke-dense and absurd, each 8-minute episode of Worm Diner serves up silly, smart and weird comedy that kids can binge today and quote tomorrow.
  
• Pit Pats from a regional Victoria-based team led by mid-career Writer, Director and Producer Darcy Prendergast and Writer/Director Josie Mackerras on her first screen project.
  
  Pit Pats is a gentle preschool show mixing stop motion, live-action, puppetry and hand drawn animation, with a focus on mindfulness, movement and music. Much like their like-minded audience, the Pit Pats themselves are curious creatures that are eager to learn and grow, using their small melodic voices to navigate the complexities of the world and find their place in their community’s chorus.
  
• MAGIC MONKEY MAYHEM from Queensland-based Little Tiger Films, led by Writer, Director and Producer Nicholas Lin (Bluey, The Strange Chores) and Producer Stefan Wernik (The Jellies, One, Two, Threebies).
  
  When the Monkey King and his little brother relocate to modern Brisbane, they must navigate Aussie culture, magical monkey mishaps, and the eternal struggle of two multicultural misfits just trying to fit in. Blending live-action with animation, this unique series is aimed at children aged 5-12.

ACTF CEO Jenny Buckland said, “The Kids IP Incubator was a joyful project where learning and creativity collided for all the participants and for us as well. These three projects are highly original and made with great respect for the children’s audience. We’re looking forward to their launch on YouTube!”

Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said, “The landscape for children’s content is evolving quickly, and Kids IP Incubator plays a critical role in empowering creators to innovate and meet our littlest audiences and their families wherever they watch and engage. Worm Diner, Pit Pats and Magic Monkey Mayhem are bold, imaginative projects – it’s exciting to see them readying to meet audience and captivate young hearts and minds both in Australia and beyond.”

Worm Diner and MAGIC MONKEY MAYHEM will launch on YouTube this June. Pit Pats will launch early August.

Screen Australia and Ausfilm have today announced the delegation for the 2026 Partner with Australia (UK) initiative, designed to deepen creative and commercial partnerships between the Australian and UK screen industries.

Taking place in London from 16–18 June 2026, the delegation of Australian creatives and Ausfilm member businesses will travel to the UK for three days of targeted industry engagement.  

The Australian delegates are:

• Su Armstrong – producer, SixtyFourSixty
• Kodie Bedford – writer
• Laurence Billiet and Rachael Antony – producers, General Strike
• Matthew Campbell – producer, CJZ
• Patrick Egerton – producer, Cheeky Little Media
• Alan Erson – producer, WildBear Entertainment
• Rob Gibson and Christopher Sharp – producers, EasyTiger
• Anna Kaplan – producer, Regen Studios
• Greg Haddrick – writer
• David Hannam – writer
• Mohini Herse – writer
• Madeleine Hetherton-Miau – producer, Media Stockade
• Amanda Higgs – producer
• Chloe Hume – producer, Ludo Studio
• Sheila Jayadev – producer, Emerald Productions
• Joel Kohn – writer
• Rebecca Lamond – producer, Hytra Films
• Jo-anne McGowan and Sarah Noonan – producers, Stranger Than Fiction
• Maggie Miles – producer, Savage Films
• Megan Palinkas – writer
• Karen Radzyner – producer, Photoplay
• Giula Sandler – writer
• Lisa Scott and Rebecca Summerton – producers, Highview Productions/Closer Productions
• Sarah Shaw – producer, Carver
• Celia Tait – producer, Artemis
• Miranda Tapsell and Joshua Tyler – writers
• Jessica Tuckwell – writer
• Ruth Underwood – writer
• Charlotte Wheaton – producer, GoodThing Productions
• Michael Wrenn – producer, Invisible Republic
• Alexa Wyatt and Sarah Smith – writers

A number of Ausfilm’s screen business members will also form part of the delegation.

The delegation will participate in roundtables, keynote and panel discussions, and structured networking sessions delivered in partnership with UK industry bodies including the British Film Institute (BFI), Film London and Pact. The aim is to create direct pathways for co-development, production and broader collaboration under the Australia/UK Co-production treaty.

Partner with Australia positions Australian creatives and businesses as collaborative partners of choice on world-class productions, capitalising on the strong cultural and economic alignment between Australia and the UK, supporting official and unofficial co-productions, location shooting, post-production partnerships and broader cultural export.

The announcement builds on existing collaboration between the two nations, with Australia/UK Official Co-productions including the upcoming series Careless, the feature films Prima Facie and FING!, and previous documentaries Shane, The Australian Dream and David Attenborough’s Life in Colour. Titles such as Last Seen (FKA The Dispatcher) and Breakers are currently being produced in Australia.

Media Enquiries

Alyssa Lim | Publicist

+ 61 2 8113 5800 | alyssa.lim@screenaustralia.gov.au

All other general/non-media enquiries

Sydney + 61 2 8113 5800 | Melbourne + 61 3 8682 1900 | info@screenaustralia.gov.au

SBS, NITV and Screen Australia have announced the return of Digital Originals, a leading initiative for emerging creatives in Australia, with applications now open for its seventh edition.

With new titles such as Homebodies recently premiering and receiving critical acclaim here and abroad, Digital Originals continues to demonstrate its role as a platform for fresh Australian storytelling and emerging creative talent.

Designed and delivered in partnership with Screen Australia to uncover original and compelling stories for SBS and NITV, the initiative provides a structured pathway into the screen industry, equipping emerging creators with skills, industry connections and resources to develop bold ideas into audience-ready, short-form scripted series. 

Five teams from the 2025 cohort (Digital Originals 6) have moved through to the next phase of the initiative and have been selected to receive development funding for their projects.

SBS Head of Scripted Nakul Legha said, “Digital Originals has established itself as a proven pathway for underrepresented voices to tell distinctive, award-winning stories. This initiative goes to the heart of SBS’s purpose – to reflect the diversity of contemporary Australia and provide a sustainable pipeline for new voices.”

“At a time when it’s harder than ever to break through, we’re immensely proud of its continued success and I congratulate the talented 2025 Digital Original teams whose projects have received development funding. I can’t wait to see the next generation of storytellers step forward with their stories.”

NITV Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production Dena Curtis said, “Digital Originals is an important pathway for First Nations practitioners to break into the industry, providing the tools and mentorship to create powerful scripted series that amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.”

“It’s exciting to see two strong First Nations projects from the 2025 cohort move into development, and I look forward to following their progress as they continue to craft these innovative and entertaining narratives.”

Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said “For more than half a decade, Digital Originals has played a vital role in supporting the next generation of screen creatives, offering tangible pathways towards sustainable careers and creating incredible stories for Australian audiences. The five teams who have received Development funding showcase the culturally resonant and singular perspectives that have come to define Digital Original projects and teams. I’m excited to see them take this next step to continue to grow their creative vision and bring their unique stories to Australian audiences.”

The five projects from 2025 (Digital Originals 6) include: 

• Bump Into You: After a steamy encounter with Deaf British traveller Frankie, hard of hearing James begins to explore a romantic connection that challenges his identity and family expectations.
  Team: Nathan Borg, Sam Martin, Scarlett Koehne and Jessica Smith.  
• Good Boy: A lonely romantic falls in love with a man in prison. When she copycats a crime to prove his innocence, her fantasy life tips into a criminal reality.
  Team: Rebecca Metcalf, Anu Hasbold.
• Rogue One: Community policing meets chaos in the Top End where justice is murky, youth are smarter than the cops and the local BBQ holds more intel than HQ.
  Team: Mema Munro, Cian McCue, Rebecca Parker.
• Musket: When Levi dumps a stolen colonial-era musket into Jack’s ute, the two Koori best mates are forced into a tense and absurd overnight mission to return it – navigating rowdy classmates, a bitter wannabe-rapper and the weight of a rural boys’ school that’s never truly seen them as equals.
  Team: Jack Steele, Bronte Gosper.
• SCAMMERS: After retiree Denise Reynolds loses her life savings to a scam caller, she reluctantly teams up with her young aged-care worker Anika Luthra to scam the scammers back. But as Anika and Denise get closer to each other and the truth, they uncover a greater scam much closer to home.
  Team: Mehhma Malhi, Xavier Hazard, Paige Wharehinga.

Digital Originals has an impressive track record, with several projects earning national and international acclaim. Most recently, Homebodies (2026) was nominated for the Short Form competition at Series Mania, receiving a Special Mention from the jury. Previous successes include Moonbird (2025), shown in competition at Series Mania last year and nominated for a Rockie Award; Night Bloomers (2023), which won the 2024 Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) Award for Best Web Series; and Appetite (2022), which premiered at the Canneseries TV Festival and was nominated for a Rose d’Or.

More than a talent initiative, Digital Originals is a proven pipeline into the industry, supporting new voices to build sustainable careers and connect with audiences. A number of alumni have progressed to key creative roles across SBS Original dramas and the wider sector including Jub Clerc (Warm Props), who went on to direct Mystery Road: Origin Series 2; Mohini Herse (Appetite), who became set-up director for SBS Original Four Years Later; Latecomers producer Liam Heyen and director Madeleine Gottlieb, who reprised their roles for anthology series Erotic Stories; The Tailings director Stevie Cruz-Martin, who later directed award-winning series Safe Home; Homecoming Queens’ Corrie Chen and Michelle Law and Robbie Hood director Dylan River, all of whom have created critically acclaimed projects.

The full collection of Digital Originals is available on SBS On Demand, with more projects set to premiere later this year.

More information for the next Digital Originals 7 is available on the Screen Australia website here. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply at the webinar here. Applications close 5pm AEST Thursday 2 July 2026.

For further information and interview requests please contact:

Jessica Parry | jessica.parry@sbs.com.au | 0428 767 836
Emma Blong | emma.blong@sbs.com.au | 0421 008 517