Screen Australia and YouTube Australia have announced $650,000 of support for five teams to produce new scripted programs for YouTube as part of the 11th iteration of the Skip Ahead initiative – a joint partnership to support new Australian digital content development.
As part of the program, a cohort of recipients will receive funding to see their projects through to release.
In addition, recipients were recently invited to participate in a three-day workshop to develop these concepts, with mentorship and insights delivered by program alumni Luke Clark and James McPherson (Never Too Small); Lachlan Macfarlane and Austin Macfarlane; as well as industry leaders Daley Pearson, director and Emmy Award-winning co-founder of Ludo Studio; Shuang Hu (The One Shu); author, scriptwriter, editor and producer Clare Atkins; Australian actor, writer and producer Tsu Shan Chambers (My Eyes); and Changer Studios.
Participants will continue to take part in ‘bespoke modules’ with the program’s digital video strategists as they develop their concepts into releases for online digital platforms.
2026 Skip Ahead cohort – quick links
All the new projects funded by Screen Australia and YouTube Australia
As shared by Screen Australia and YouTube Australia, Skip Ahead has now supported 52 content creation teams to date, with each developing new and compelling screen projects for YouTube and other digital platforms. Past recipients include Danny and Michael Philippou (Racka Racka), Lyanna Kea, Michael Shanks, Rainbow Bop, and more.
Here are all the new projects currently in development that are now supported by the Skip Ahead program.
Back Then
‘Fresh out of graduating Year Six, best friends Dave and Nick spend their final week before high school trying to become “grown up,” convinced they’re about to go their separate ways forever as they head to different high schools.’
This project’s team includes Dave Hoey, Nicholas Burton, Vanilla Tupu and Michael Angelis. The series will be released on the Granny Flat YouTube channel.
Dry Spell
‘When GG follows her boyfriend to a remote farm, an accident leaves her stuck taking his place as farmhand under the tough, emotionally closed off Michelle. Soon, forced proximity turns into unbearable tension as they try very hard not to act on what they actually want.’
This project’s team includes Monique Terry, Hannah-Rae Meegan and Abby Gallaway. The series will be released on the Mon & Han YouTube channel.
The Moon Is Shining
‘Seeking closure after his mother’s passing, a grieving Jin from Hong Kong tracks down his estranged father in Melbourne. When he discovers his father already has an adopted step-son his own age, Jin conceals his identity and derails his plan by sparking a slow-burn romance with him.’
This project’s team includes Alyce Adams, Pius Kung, Vimbai Nenzou and Suzanne Soo Hyun Kim. The series will be released on the Omnia Studio YouTube channel.
Jill’s Wheels
‘Jackson’s grandmother, Jill, gifts him her old rollerskating rink.’
This project’s team includes Jackson Cogger-Clee, Clayton Jay Duncan and Mikey Hamer. The series will be released on the Director Cogger YouTube Channel.
Tracing Odysseus
‘Three thousand years after the story was first told, a young Australian archaeologist retraces the Odyssey from Troy to Ithaca. She is looking for a hero, home and the answer to the question the story has been asking for millennia.’
This project’s team includes Katerina Alexander and Alex Alexander. The series will be released on the fig tree YouTube channel.
