Screen Australia and the Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) have announced the seven participants selected for The Creators 2025, a dynamic career acceleration program for high-calibre Australian screenwriters.
The seven participants in The Creators program are:
- Tamara Asmar (NCIS: Sydney, Love Me, In Limbo)
- Anna Barnes (Safe Home, The Twelve, Content)
- Sarah Bassiuoni (Critical Incident, House of Gods, The Secrets She Keeps)
- Glen Dolman (Bloom, I Met A Girl, The Bill)
- Michelle Offen (East West 101, Hyde & Seek, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries)
- Jessica Tuckwell (Bump, Fake, Year Of)
- Monica Zanetti (While the Men Are Away, Ellie & Abby (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt), Iggy & Ace)
Building on the success of years one and two, this third year will provide participants with high-level showrunner training, project and pitching development, equipping them to sell their stories in both domestic and international markets.
The program will be led by Emmy Award-winner Jeff Melvoin (Northern Exposure, Killing Eve, Designated Survivor), founder and Chair of the Writers Guild of America’s highly competitive Showrunner Training Program, who will travel to Sydney in October to deliver bespoke WGA-style training.
Screen Australia Head of Development Bobby Romia said, “The Creators provides a unique opportunity for Australian screenwriters to hone their craft, build important connections and develop their distinctive projects setting them up for success here and abroad. We’re proud of this partnership and can’t wait to see what this talented cohort achieve.”
AWG President Peter Mattessi said, “The Australian Writers’ Guild is thrilled to support a third cohort of screenwriters developing their craft through The Creators. This program continues to deliver outstanding outcomes for writers who are ready to take the next step in their careers as showrunners, empowering them to become creative powerhouses and leaders in our industry. We’re delighted to work in partnership with Screen Australia and Scripted Ink, and thank them for their continued support of writers as key creatives in the screen industry.”
Scripted Ink’s Shane Brennan said, “Just as the WGA showrunner training program is highly sought after in the US, we’re proud that the Creators has firmly established itself as the premier career initiative for Australian screenwriters. A writer’s vision and the craft of storytelling are at the core of commercially successful television, and this program equips our best writers with the skills and understanding necessary to nurture a story through all stages of production.”
Tamara Asmar said, “The world is in deeply unsettling times, and the power of storytelling to move and inspire audiences is needed more than ever. I’m so grateful to Screen Australia and the AWG for centring Australian writers and providing us with the opportunity to immerse ourselves in this unique program with global industry leaders. Writing is often such a lonely vocation, and I’m excited to see what everyone brings to the table and watch the evolution of the projects over the week.”
Anna Barnes said, “The Creators Initiative is a dream opportunity for me to upskill and learn more about the role of the showrunner from both international leaders of our industry and also from this extremely talented group of fellow writers.”
Sarah Bassiuoni said, “This program is an incredible opportunity to learn directly from those who’ve shaped some of the most compelling television globally – not just in writing, but in leading projects from concept to completion. As someone passionate about bold, character-driven storytelling, I’m excited to strengthen both my creative and production skills and to bring that knowledge home to help grow a more empowered and diverse Australian screen industry. It’s about making space for voices, leadership, and stories that reflect the full depth of who we are.”
Glen Dolman said, “As our industry contracts globally and the need for Australian stories to reach a worldwide audience becomes even more critical, this program offers a rare opportunity to connect with fellow writer/producers, share knowledge, and explore best practices — particularly through the lens of the US showrunner model. With the most successful breakout shows internationally led by distinct creative voices who bring both authorship and continuity to a project, I’m thrilled to be part of this group and conversation.”
Michelle Offen said, “I am absolutely thrilled and grateful for this opportunity. Pathways to upskill as a showrunner in Australia are rare, which makes The Creators so incredibly valuable. Joining this talented cohort, under the tutelage of the renowned Jeff Melvoin, is an experience I will relish. I look forward to applying lessons learned and sharing the knowledge with co-collaborators and writing teams. Thank you AWG, Scripted Ink and Screen Australia – what a gift.”
Jessica Tuckwell said, “Thanks to AWG and Screen Australia for the opportunity to investigate leadership within that crucial place where the vision clashes with the realities of production, where the show is really made. We owe audiences the respect of maintaining creative integrity, and part of that is acknowledging that dropping the writer/creator off at the curb when pre-production starts is such an obvious inefficiency; we are a problem-solving asset at every stage of the process.”
Monica Zanetti said, “I’m so thrilled to be part of the Creators program for 2025. I feel so lucky to have the support of this team as I take the next big step in my career from creator to showrunner.”
The Creators is supported by industry partner Scripted Ink.
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