Screenwriter accelerator program Impact Australia will return to Melbourne for its third year. The Australian edition of the intensive eight-week program will be delivered by international entertainment start-up Impact and Melbourne-based production company Gentle Giant Media Group, and designed to discover, cultivate and empower diverse Australian screenwriters, with the goal of accelerating projects to be pitch-ready for global buyers and producers.

Impact is funded by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard and led by CEO Tyler Mitchell. Since its inception in 2018, Impact has built a network of more than 75,000 creators in over 140 countries, and developed 90 original projects, 48 of which have been acquired by leading entertainment companies, including Netflix, Sony, FX, Warner Bros., AMC, Amblin, Chernin, eOne, Village Roadshow, Legendary, Scott Free, Midnight Radio, Imagine, and more.

During the program, participants will be mentored by industry-leading screenwriters from around the globe. The mentors will work with the creators to hone their projects and prepare them for Pitch Day, where they will be given the opportunity to pitch their project to the global market.

The mentorship program will begin September 26 and the Pitch Day will take place January 2023.