Regional screen industry organisation Screenworks and Los Angeles-based Australians In Film (AiF) have formed an exciting partnership that will connect screenwriters and content creators living in regional, rural and remote Australia with Hollywood. AiF members will also have the opportunity to connect with regional screen creatives and stories to bolster the regional screen industry in Australia. This initiative comes at a time when Australian regionally-produced content is being watched worldwide as global streaming services demand new and fresh content.
The new partnership will involve the establishment of an annual philanthropically-funded Regional Screen in LA Scholarship Program and reciprocal benefits for members of both organisations, which AiF and Screenworks hope will increase the number of regional screen practitioners in Australia applying to AiF programs and initiatives, and for AiF members to connect to regional screen practitioners and stories, and Screenworks’ programs and initiatives. The Regional Screen in LA Scholarship Program will be an annual four-week residency program in Los Angeles for an Australian screenwriter and content creator from regional, rural and remote Australia. The residency will be based at Charlie’s, AiF’s creative share workspace at the historic Raleigh Studios.
AiF Executive Director Peter Ritchie said there is a growing demand for Australian films overseas. “Hollywood has a huge appetite for new and distinctive voices and Australia has a renowned history of rich and bold storytellers with a unique Australian tone,” Peter said. “This partnership between Screenworks and AiF will support and connect screenwriters or screen creators living in regional, rural or remote Australia to the global industry and will create an exciting platform and entry into Hollywood.”
For the Regional Screen in LA Scholarship Program, Screenworks will undertake a nationwide call-out for regional screen creatives/screenwriters who have achieved initial success and are able to demonstrate significant talent and career potential. Each annual scholarship opportunity is valued at approximately $20,000 AUD which is funded by donors.
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