22 04 2025 - Media release
Applications Open for the Creators Program
The Creators program
Screen Australia and the Australian Writers' Guild (AWG) have announced applications are open for The Creators program. Now in its third year, The Creators is a career acceleration program for high-calibre, mid-career screenwriters to build toward the creation of their own shows.
Expanding upon the success of Years 1 and 2, Year 3 sees The Creators evolve to provide selected screenwriters with international high-level showrunner training, project development, and pitching training in Australia, equipping them to sell their stories in domestic and international markets.
Up to six writers will be selected to participate in the program run in Sydney in October 2025.
Emmy Award-winner Jeff Melvoin (Northern Exposure, Killing Eve, Designated Survivor), founder and Chair of the Writers Guild of America’s Showrunner Training Program, will travel to Sydney to lead the selected writers in bespoke WGA-style showrunner and pitching training.
The program will take place in a retreat-style environment to maximise the opportunity, providing participants access to Jeff Melvoin and their fellow Creators.
The Creators is supported by industry partners Scripted Ink.
Screen Australia Head of Development Bobby Romia said, ‘The Creators supports Australian screenwriters to step into leadership roles. With access to world-class mentorship and industry training, this program equips mid-career writers with the skills, confidence and connections to develop bold new projects and pitch at the highest level. We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Australian Writers’ Guild and can’t wait to see the exciting new projects that will take shape through this year’s cohort.’
AWG President Peter Mattessi said, 'We are thrilled to welcome Jeff Melvoin to Australia this year to deliver The Creators at home. Building on the success of the first two years, this program is an invaluable opportunity to strengthen the Australian industry and empower writers as creators and leaders in the domestic and international markets.’
Susie Hamilton, The Creators Program Director said, 'The Australian Writers’ Guild is delighted to be moving into Year 3 of The Creators with the support of Screen Australia and Scripted Ink. The calibre of writers who've completed the program has been incredibly high and we’re pleased to see a number of Creators’ projects already in development. We look forward to welcoming the next group of talented writer-creators to partake in this program.'
To apply, writers must have recent credits across television, feature film and/or theatre, and existing interest from the global community. They must also have a slate of 3-5 scripted episodic projects currently in development including one lead project with a draft pilot script that will be developed as part of the program. Applicants must be available from 19-27 October 2025 to attend.
For the full eligibility requirements, FAQs and how to apply, see the Guidelines here.
Applications are open and close at 5pm AEST Thursday 29 May 2025.
Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 18 July 2025.
AWG Media Enquiries:
Shannen Usher
[email protected]
Media enquiries
Maddie Walsh | Publicist
+ 61 2 8113 5915 | [email protected]
Jessica Parry | Senior Publicist (Mon, Tue, Thu)
+ 61 428 767 836 | [email protected]
All other general/non-media enquiries
Sydney + 61 2 8113 5800 | Melbourne + 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]