Screenworks has unveiled The Athena Project, its initiative to support female regional filmmakers.
The project, Screenworks’ largest to date, is funded by Screen Australia through the Genders Matters: Brilliant Careers program. It aims to help female writers and directors from regional areas to leverage initial success in the screen industry, build professional networks and create viable career pathways.
The initative will include two events to be held in Byron Bay: a public careers forum and a two-day career development residential workshop. Four teams/individuals from regional NSW and one from each of the other states and territories will be selected to take part.
Some of Australia’s most outstanding female filmmakers are set to be involved, including the multi-award winning writer-director Gillian Armstrong (Women He’s Undressed, My Brilliant Career), Matchbox Pictures’ director of scripted development Debbie Lee (The Family Law, Glitch), multi-award winning creator and director Cate McQuillen (dirtgirlworld) and creative industries career advisor Monica Davidson.
Screenworks will hold the Screen Industry Careers Forum on November 8, which will be open to the public and will include guest speakers and representatives from Screen Australia and other state and territory funding bodies. The forum will be filmed, live-streamed and edited into online content for everyone to acces.
The two day workshop with the selected participants will follow on November 9 and 10. Participants will be supported to develop individual career plans and will receive strategic assistance from Screenworks for up to 12 months to implement them.
Screenworks is currently calling for applications from regionally-based female screenwriters and directors across Australia.
Applicants can be individual writers and/or directors or teams of two: a writer and director.
To apply, applicants need to demonstrate initial success in the screen industry, identify the barriers they face in trying to advance their careers, and will need to submit a draft career plan.
Applications can be submitted online via Screenworks’ website and must be submitted no later than midday (AEST) on September 8.