Have a great idea for the next classic Aussie film? Inspired by Australia’s diverse and unique landscapes? It’s time to get writing again for the chance to pitch your idea to key industry figures and receive developmental support to take your script to market.
Entries are now open for the second AACTA Pitch: Regional Landscapes in partnership with Screenworks, a national pitching and screenwriting initiative aimed at discovering and developing an original feature film that celebrates Australia’s stunning regional areas. This initiative presents a great opportunity for early career screenwriters, particularly those from regional areas, to build a supportive industry network.
2020 finalists included A SUNBURNT CHRISTMAS, which went on to be produced by Every Cloud Productions and was recently released as a Stan Original Film.
“Without AACTA Pitch Regional Landscapes in partnership with Screenworks we would never have met the amazing Deb Cox and the team at Every Cloud Productions who listened to our idea for an Australian Christmas Film and saw its potential. Nine months later and with the help of so many other amazing people that it was launched as a Stan Original Film ‘A Sunburnt Christmas’! I think it’s fair to say we are incredibly grateful to AACTA and Screenworks for that opportunity to pitch!”
– Timothy Walker | co-screenwriter (alongside Gretel and Elliot Vella) | A SUNBURNT CHRISTMAS
This year, finalists will be pitching for the chance to receive:
- Professional script development sessions
- Invaluable feedback and mentorship from the esteemed judging panel
- Profiling and industry opportunities through the Australian Writers’ Guild Pathways program
- A three day pass to all sessions at the Screenworks 2021 Regional to Global Screen Forum
- AACTA annual membership
- Screenworks annual membership
- Australian Writers’ Guild annual membership
- Two tickets to the 2021 AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel
“Uncovering authentic stories and the real voices of regional Australians are essential to the culture and success of our national screen industry, ” said Screenworks CEO Ken Crouch. “That is why Screenworks is delighted to partner with AACTA for the second year of AACTA Pitch: Regional Landscapes in order to discover the regional stories that will be our next national and global box office success and to find the authentic regional voices to tell those stories.”
‘The Australian Writers’ Guild is absolutely delighted to support AACTA and Screenworks again in 2021 with this brilliant initiative’ said Susie Hamilton, AWG Professional Development Manager. ”The domestic and international screen industry going through a period of significant change but what continues unabated is the enormous hunger for unique content. AACTA Pitch Regional Landscapes in partnership with Screenworks gives Australian screenwriters, particularly those from regional areas, a terrific chance to showcase their original ideas that celebrate the Australian experience.’
“We are incredibly happy to be partnering with Screenworks again on this initiative. Last year’s entries were of such a high calibre, representing the scope and scale of story that is both uniquely Australian and universally relatable. It was encouraging to see so many quality pitches from regional creatives and AACTA, in partnership with Screenworks and with the support of the AWG, are committed to continuing to discover exciting new voices and stories from across the breadth of Australia” said AACTA Awards and Industry Development Manager Ivan Vukusic.
For more info and to enter – visit https://www.aacta.org/aacta-development-initiatives/2021-aacta-pitch-regional-landscapes-in-partnership-with-screenworks/
