Netflix has partnered with Australia’s eight state and territory screen agencies and the Australian Writers’ Guild to discover the next great Australian woman or non-binary scriptwriter. The launch of The Next Brilliant Career program is part of the celebrations around Netflix’s adaptation of Miles Franklin’s My Brilliant Career, launching 13 August.
Famously, the original 1901 novel by Miles Franklin follows a young girl growing up in rural Australia and chasing her dream of becoming a writer. Not to spoil a century-old book, but the title is ironic, and the journey of Sybylla Melvyn is one of great struggle.
Netflix’s The Next Brilliant Career program aims to address some of the enduring challenges by providing emerging screenwriters with valuable feedback and opportunity to have their ideas heard.
My Brilliant Next Career – quick links
My Next Brilliant Career seeks original Australian scripts
The Next Brilliant Career program is open to emerging Australian writers who identify as women or non-binary. Applicants are encouraged to submit ‘original, authentically-Australian’ scripted concepts for a chance to receive ‘invaluable feedback directly from Netflix in developing their story for screen’.
The program does not promise a firm outcome beyond that feedback, although it seems likely that outstanding concepts may be under consideration for further development, should they prove particularly compelling or viable for Netflix.
To be eligible for this process, applicants must actually be emerging writers. In this case, that’s defined as having between one and three reportable writer credits on a commercially released short film, film or television series production longer than 10 minutes, with the additional criteria that works must have been screened at a recognised film festival or have received support from a state or federal screen agency. Full-time students are not eligible to apply.
Applicants must also be available to attend the pitch day on 6 October at at Netflix’s Australia and New Zealand headquarters in Sydney. Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to pitch their concept live. One finalist will then be selected from each state and territory within Australia.
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How to apply for Netflix’s new screenwriting initiative
Those looking to apply will need to check individual processes per their local state funding body. That said, there is some overarching application criteria that applies to all those submitting.
Here’s the rundown from Netflix: ‘Submissions must include scripted stories that are authentically Australian, and include a brief professional biography, working title, logline, intended audience description, genre, an explanation of the work’s cultural relevance and personal connection, a one-page synopsis and a five-page writing sample.’
As noted, writers will retain full ownership of these concepts and stories. Netflix has also confirmed that while staff will hear pitches, there is no guarantee of further development or funding.
Here’s where applicants can submit their scripted stories per state:
- South Australia via the South Australian Film Corporation
- New South Wales via Screen NSW
- Australian Capital Territory via Screen Canberra
- Northern Territory via Screen Territory
- Queensland via Screen Queensland
- Tasmania via Screen Tasmania
- Victoria via VicScreen
- Western Australia via Screenwest
‘Miles Franklin spent her career fighting for the right to tell her own story on her own terms,’ Amanda Duthie, Netflix ANZ Content Director, said.
‘The Next Brilliant Career is built on that same conviction. Australia has no shortage of extraordinary women writers; we’ve designed this program to welcome the next generation of bold Australian voices telling stories that resonate here and around the world.’
