Videoland director Jessica Smith and producer Scarlett Koehne reflect on queer representation and 90s nostalgia in the Series Mania Comedy Competition-winning series. On the latest episode of the Screen Australia podcast, we spoke with Smith and Koehne following their win at Series Mania about their festival strategy and experience premiering in a foreign market. They also reflect on the creation of the queer dramedy and challenges of retro-fitting (literally) a video rental store. 

During the latest episode of the Screen Australia podcast, we explore the changing theatrical distribution landscape. Madman Entertainment's CEO Paul Wiegard and Screen Australia Distribution Manager Anthony Grundy explain how audience behaviour has shifted since the COVID-19 pandemic and reflect on the challenges and opportunities this presents Australian filmmakers in an increasingly global marketplace. Wiegard shares Madman's approach to audience engagement as an independent distributor,...

Taking your project to market? Screen Australia Marketplace Manager Rakel Tansley shares the latest marketplace intel and advice to get the best deals on your projects. Tansley breaks down the key terms of finance plans and the market and explains the role of the Marketplace team in supporting Australian producers navigate domestic and global deals, as well as the resources publicly available on the Screen Australia website. She also talks to the key findings of the most recent Post-Financing...

Screenwriter and media advocate Dot West talks writing animation, reflecting kid experiences on television, and the inspiration behind Little J & Big Cuz. Throughout the episode, West shares her insight on representing First Nations experiences on screen for kids, how ACER influences the narrative, incorporating Language and the power of translations, and her thoughts on the state of children's screen content.

Filmmaker Devina Saberi shares the inspiration for new documentary series Growing Pains, as well as the challenges and opportunities of documentary storytelling for online platforms, and advice for early career filmmakers. Throughout the episode, Saberi talks about structuring stories for social media platforms, supporting community storytelling, and the challenges of observational documentary – especially while filming your friends. 

Director Paul Clarke breaks down the elements of a music documentary, and the inspiration and process behind his latest feature Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line. Throughout the episode, Clarke shares his approach to research and production for the music documentary format, navigating the complexities of footage and music licensing, and celebrating the legacy of the Oils. 

Writer and director Tig Terera shares his experiences creating his debut television series Swift Street, and working with production company Magpie Pictures' Lois Randall and Ivy Mak, and writer Sam Carroll, to develop the series for SBS. He also shares his journey from photography to the small screen, the challenges and opportunities as a self-taught writer and director, reflecting community on screen, and advice for early career storytellers.

Learn more about the new below-the-line training and professional development initiative Screen Careers. Denise and Ken share their insight into the below-the-line sector, and discuss the challenges facing below-the-line workers, the role of training in developing the screen industry, and the resources and opportunities available to BTL crew to build responsive and sustainable careers. Eriksen shares the philosophy and development of Screen Careers, alongside details of their industry-led...

The Future Leaders Delegation and Screen Australia Games team share their takeaways and advice from the 2024 Game Developers Conference.

Ra Chapman and Katherine Fry share the journey from development to production of new ABC comedy series White Fever.  

Executive Producer and CEO of Blacksand Pictures Kauthar Abdulalim reflects on her Enterprise journey, reaching international audiences with online stories, and the power of authentic representation in the screen industry. 

From The Matrix to 1980s Australia, Gypsy Taylor discusses the art and craft of costuming and the design inspiration behind her most recent projects including Our Flag Means Death, The Way We Wore, and soon The Newsreader.

Cannes Critics’ Week Head of the Film Department Rémi Bigot speaks to the opportunities and process behind the program, and Screen Australia’s Manager, Festivals and Industry Partnerships Dale Fairbairn shares her advice for applying to festivals.

Australian Film, Television and Radio School alumni, award-winning filmmaker Warwick Thornton and production designer Bethany Ryan, alongside AFTRS Council Chair Debra Richards, reflect on 50 years of formal screen education in Australia.

Kitty Green on making fiction from fact, the differences between documentary and feature narratives, the process of collaboration, and directing The Royal Hotel

Max Jahufer speaks on the importance of transgender visibility both in front of and behind the camera, the role of community consultants in the industry, and his experiences on the upcoming Australian feature film A Savage Christmas.

Outgoing CEO Graeme Mason looks back at 10 years at Screen Australia and the changing landscape of Australian screen production through the 2022/23 Drama Report outcomes.

Screen Australia representatives who work across Production Investment, Development, Documentary, Online, First Nations and Games funding give their top tips for anyone preparing to submit an application. Glossary of Key Terms - https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/screen-news/2023/04-06-industry-glossary-of-terms Tools and insights for starting in the industry - https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/funding-and-support/starting-in-the-industry/tools-and-insights

Amazon Studios Senior Development Executive Sarah Christie talks about working as an entertainment lawyer before making the shift to development producer with Goalpost Pictures and then joining the scripted team at Amazon. She explains their strategy going forward, the difference in developing and writing projects with a streamer, what makes a great pitch, and why it was a no-brainer to greenlight their newest project the Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, which launched on Prime Video on the 4th of...

Screenwriter Catherine Smyth-McMullen on writing genre in Australia and the US, the differences between working in the two countries, and what you need to know about general meetings: what they are, what materials you need to have ready for them, how they differ from a pitch meeting, and more.

Screen Australia’s Head of Development Bobby Romia talks through the development team at Screen Australia, the different types of funding available, what the funding can cover, how much to apply for, how applications are assessed and much more.

Bay of Fires co-creator, producer and star Marta Dusseldorp talks about her shift from acting into producing, starting Archipelago Productions, how Bay of Fires came about, the shoot in Tasmania, and current challenges facing Australian producers.

Hear takeaways and advice from the Screen Australia delegation who attended Cannes Film Festival + Market this year, including why you need to be pitch ready, how to prepare for meetings, challenges and optimism in the theatrical space, trends and more. They are joined by local producers MahVeen Shahraki from Thousand Mile Productions, Rebecca Summerton from Closer Productions and Kath Shelper of Scarlett Pictures who was one of the producers of Warwick Thornton’s Un Certain Regard...

Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan discuss their careers from The Katering Show through to ABC series Get Krackin’, Audible podcast series Slushy and their latest project – creating comedy crime series Deadloch for Prime Video. The Kates talk about their writing partnership, filming Deadloch in Tasmania during the pandemic, and walking that fine line between comedy and drama throughout scripting, the shoot and the edit.