To strengthen international connections while the screen industry is dealing with COVID-19, the Australian International Screen Forum (AISF) and Screenworks today announced a new online workshop that will connect regional screenwriters in Australia with New York-based industry mentors and opportunities through script development exercises, networking and pitching.
The inaugural WFH Screenwriting Workshop is an eight-week program specifically designed to support people living in regional, rural and remote Australia and is hosted by AISF & Screenworks Australia in association with Patricia Beaury, former Managing Director of the Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman supported The Writers Lab.
This initiative, hosted on Zoom video conferencing, is a scheduled program for June and July 2020 and is specifically designed for creatives with Film and TV projects that would appeal to a global audience.
This program will be entirely online, with weekly interactive webinar sessions, development exercises and networking opportunities as a way to bridge international barriers. Industry mentors include Joey Tuccio (Founder and CEO, Roadmap Writers), Nitza Wilon and Elizabeth Kaiden (co-Founders, The Writers Lab), Anne Hubbell (Vice President of Motion Picture, Kodak and Founder, Tangerine Entertainment) Amy Hobby (Executive Director, Tribeca Film Institute, Founder, Tangerine Entertainment) Timothy Cooper (Founder and Owner, Blueprint Screenwriting Group) and Krysanne Katsoolis (Present and CEO, Viewpark).
WFH Program Director and Producer Laura D’Augello said ‘The WFH Screenwriting workshop provides an opportunity for regional Australian writers to work collaboratively on their screenplays in peer groups and creates a barrier-free engagement in reaching international networks and industry. AISF and Screenworks’ first partnership program will provide guidance and mentorship from industry experts with a focus on connecting Australian writers with the US market whilst in the comfort of their own homes.’
“We are excited about our recent partnership with the AISF and to be able to bring this international opportunity to regional Australian screenwriters,” explained Screenworks CEO Ken Crouch. “Connecting regional screen practitioners to international opportunities has been one of Screenworks priorities. Given the challenges that our industry is facing globally at the moment we believe this will open new and valuable pathways and opportunities for regional Australian screenwriters.”
The announcement of the new initiative comes at a time when both the 2020 Australian International Screen Forum in New York and the Screenworks Business of Producing Conference had to be postponed or cancelled due to Coronavirus concerns.
ABOUT AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL SCREEN FORUM
The Australian International Screen Forum is co-founded by Chris Beale and Michael Kelleher, with partners including Screen Australia, Ausfilm, the Chris and Francesca Beale Foundation, IFP, the Australian Consulate-General, HBO, NBC, Qantas and Arthur. J. Gallagher & Co.
The inaugural Australian International Screen Forum is a four-day event that includes screenings, industry-focused events, seminars, roundtables, keynote conversations, master classes and educational activities to showcase Australian film, television and digital content in the U.S. Event partners include Screen Australia, Ausfilm, the Chris and Francesca Beale Foundation, IFP, The Australian Consulate-General, Qantas and Arthur. J. Gallagher & Co. For more information visit https://www.australianscreenforum.org/.
ABOUT SCREENWORKS
Screenworks is a registered charity that provides support, leadership and vision for the regional screen industries in Australia. It is a home-grown not-for-profit, membership-based association managed by a board of volunteer directors that provide industry, management and screen industry knowledge and experience.
The principal objective of Screenworks is to promote and advance the screen industry in regional, rural and remote Australia, with a focus on the industry cluster in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.
