Pictured (LEFT TO RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM): Barbara Hostalek, Jeremy Ambrum, Haylee Rivers, Colleen Raven Strangways, Kiara Milera, Waverley Stanley Jnr, Jorrell Hammond, Kalina Lauer, Annidette Puni, Aria Kitchener, Angelina Hurley, Ruby-Jean Hindley, Maya Johnson, Josh Yasserie, Pearl Berry, Shené Clemments, Tamara Whyte
The selected participants are Annidette Puni (Sydney, NSW), Angelina Hurley (Brisbane, QLD), Aria Kitchener (Tweed Heads, NSW), Barbara Hostalek (Perth, WA), Colleen Raven Strangways (Adelaide, SA), Haylee Rivers (Kimberley, WA), Jeremy Ambrum (Canberra, ACT), Josh Yasserie (Sydney, NSW), Jorell Hammond (Lismore, NSW), Kalina Lauer (Melbourne, VIC), Kiara Milera (Adelaide, SA), Maya Johnson (Melbourne, VIC), Pearl Berry (Adelaide, SA), Ruby-Jean Hindley (Perth, WA), Shené Clemments (Moreton Bay, QLD), Tamara Whyte (Ravenshoe, QLD) and Waverley Stanley Jr. (Brisbane, QLD).
Supported by the Screenrights Cultural Fund, Seeding Storytellers will be delivered to selected participants as a series of three day-long online workshops on the 3rd, 10th and 17th of May 2025. These will be run and delivered by highly-experienced, working writers Catherine Kelleher and Terence McCarthy. Covering note-taking, script coordinating and the basics of a writers’ room, participants will learn in a culturally safe, supported environment and come away with the skills required to find work as a note-taker in the film and television industry.
Susie Hamilton, Australian Writers’ Guild Director of Professional Development said:
“We are delighted to be partnering with Screenworks to deliver Seeding Storytellers. Born out of the enormously successful AWG Pathways First Break program, Seeding Storytellers will provide trained First Nations note-takers and script coordinators with access to the Australian screen industry. The program will set participants up for success by offering comprehensive training, the right tools in Final Draft software and the necessary support and promotion through the First Break portal on the Pathways website.”
“We are delighted to be partnering with Final Draft, the industry standard software for professional screenwriters around the world, to provide each of our participants with a Final Draft licence.”
Selected program participant Maya Johnson said Seeding Storytellers will help First Nations screenwriters launch their writing career.
“It’s such an important opportunity for First Nations screenwriters and coordinators to get our foot in the door and start carving out space in writers’ rooms where our voices haven’t always been seen or recognised.”
Selected participant Shené Clements added, “Seeding Storytellers is an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded First Nations creatives, and I’m excited to have access to experienced mentors that will help me lean into my passion for storytelling.”
At the end of May, these 17 participants will be available for work as notetakers. Screenworks and the AWG will support them to find work, they will be showcased to the screen industry via the AWG Pathways website and will receive a free subscription to screenwriting software, Final Draft. The Pathways First Break tab is a permanent resource for industry looking for talented new writers who have valuable skills to offer in writers’ rooms.
