Andrews’ Labor government is giving Victoria’s growing screen industry a boost, with the coveted Screenwriters Accelerator Program returning to Melbourne for its third year.
The Australian edition of the eight-week intensive program is designed to help diverse Australian screenwriters accelerate their projects until they are ready to launch and ultimately bring local stories to screens around the world.
Participants will be mentored by leading screenwriters from around the world – previous mentors have included Stuart Beattie (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl),Hunter Covington (My name is Earl), Shaun Grant (Nitram) and Stacy Traub (Joy).
Mentors will help screenwriters develop their projects and prepare them for Pitch Day, where they will have the opportunity to pitch their project to global buyers and producers.
The 2020 and 2021 cycles of the program have been hugely successful, with most of the 19 projects attracting producers and nearly all of the 23 former writers signing on for representation.
Exclusive to Melbourne, Impact Australia is delivered by international entertainment start-up Impact and Melbourne-based independent production company Gentle Giant Media Group.
It is made possible by the support of the Victorian and Commonwealth governments through VicScreen and Screen Australia and supported by learning partner the University of Melbourne and other state and territory screen agencies across the Australia.
Applications are open from June 21 to July 10, with the mentorship program starting on September 26. Pitch Day is scheduled for January 2023. The program will take place at the Southbank Campus of the Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne.
For more information or to apply, visit impact-australia.com/accelerator.
“Victoria’s screen industry is dynamic, diverse and constantly growing – the 191.5 million dollar VICSCREEN strategyoffers the best career development and job opportunities in the country.
“Impact Australia creates a unique opportunity for our writers to break through and bring local stories to a global audience.”
As stated by Impact CEO Tyler Mitchell
“Australians continue to prove they punch above their weight in creative ways.”
“We are thrilled to have Impact Australia enter its third year and are excited to continue working with our amazing partners to empower talented Australians to pursue careers in the screen industry.”