Screen Queensland has announced its new Escalate: Feature Focus Writers Initiative, a program designed to support emerging and established scriptwriters to develop scripts for family-focussed animated feature films.
Screen Queensland announces new scriptwriting program – quick links
What to know about Screen Queensland’s new scriptwriting program
From a pool of applicants, six writers will be selected to take part in a series of mentored writer’s rooms to progress creative ideas from the treatment stage to becoming commercially viable, polished first-draft scripts.
Those selected will work alongside Brisbane-based production company Like A Photon Creative (The Pout-Pout Fish, Scarygirl, Combat Wombat), which has partnered with Screen Queensland to provide expertise and guidance to writers throughout the program.
Those selected for the program will be paid for their work, as well as having the opportunity to develop their script beyond the program, should it prove viable. That will naturally come with earned screen credit through the Australian Writers’ Guild guidelines.
Those keen to apply for a spot on the program will have until 29 October to submit.
Applications will need to include various personal information, as well as an existing draft script equivalent to around 30 minutes or more of screen time and a short personal statement outlining industry experience to date, future ambitions and the intentionality of applying to the program.
Screen Queensland on the Escalate program
‘Queensland is fast becoming a centre for excellence in animation,’ Screen Queensland’s Julie Eckersley, Executive Director of Screen Content says. ‘This initiative builds that capability by giving six Queensland writers direct experience inside a working studio, developing scripts that are shaped for the market from day one.’
‘“Like A Photon Creative has a real track record of backing distinctive voices, with The Lost Tiger, directed and co-written by Chantelle Murray, the first Australian animated feature written and directed by an Indigenous woman. With the world’s attention turning to Queensland as we approach 2032, this is the moment to grow the writers who will tell our stories to a global audience.’
Like A Photon Creative co-founder and CEO Kristen Souvlis was equally enthusiastic about the potential of the program and how it may support the next generation of storytellers.
‘As international demand for LAPC’s family focused feature films grows, LAPC is forming a studio-style writers’ cohort to bring a slate of six features to life,’ Souvlis says.
‘Screen Queensland has been a keystone in LAPC’s success, and we understand the importance of creating opportunities for practitioners in our home state. By working directly with Screen Queensland to deliver this program, Like A Photon Creative can continue to invest in Queensland’s creative and technical talent and export Queensland voices to the world.’
Following its selection process, the Escalate: Feature Focus Writers Initiative will officially commence mid-February 2027.
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A true champion of locally produced stories, the fund has boosted over 150 projects since it was established in 2003, including international hits like Danny and Michael Philippou’s world-conquering Talk to Me, Warwick Thornton’s Samson and Delilah, Sweet Country and Wolfram, plus Justin Kurzel’s Snowtown.
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