Screenworks Announces Seven Regional NSW Practitioners for Career Pathway Programs

Screenworks has announced seven regional New South Wales (NSW)-based practitioners selected for its Career Pathway Programs this year, run in partnership with Screen NSW. These initiatives aim to foster regional talent across various screen sector roles, including writing, directing, and producing. The programs for this year include Inside the Writers’ Room, Director Pathway, and Regional Producer Elevator.

Inside the Writers’ Room

For the Inside the Writers’ Room program, screenwriters Brooke Hemphill (Central Coast), Mark Rogers (Wollongong), and Leearni Hamilton (Bungendore) will be placed with Northern Pictures, Jungle Entertainment, and Easy Tiger, respectively. Participants in this program will observe professional writer’s room operations firsthand and receive travel support to facilitate their experience.

Director Pathway Program

Emerging directors Elkie Chadwick (Wollongong) and Nadia Townsend (Central Coast) were selected for the Director Pathway Program. Each director will receive $3,500 to implement a tailored professional development program, developed in close consultation with the Australian Directors Guild.

Regional Producer Elevator

The Regional Producer Elevator program welcomes Claire Lindsay (Coffs Harbour), a First Nations producer, and Miah-Tya Nungheena Gowland (Bungendore) as its recipients. They will each receive $3,500, a valuable Screen Producers Australia membership, and personalized career advice from a professional producer.

Lindsay stated her intention to leverage this opportunity to elevate the visibility, distinct voices, and stories from regional Australia.

Program Significance and Selection

Screenworks CEO Lisa O’Meara acknowledged the cohort's passion and diversity, specifically highlighting the strong female and First Nations representation within this year's selections. Screen NSW acting executive director Karla Lampe further emphasized the critical importance of such programs in enhancing accessibility and inclusivity across the screen sector.

The robust selection panels for these competitive programs included esteemed representatives from Screen NSW, the Australian Writers Guild, the Australian Directors Guild, Screen Producers Australia, Easy Tiger Productions, Jungle Entertainment, and Northern Pictures.