Australians in Film has named the judges for its new Gateway LA script development program.
Modelled on The Black List and the UK's Brit List, the program will support the development of commercially successful, Australian-created television and movie screenplays for US and international audiences.
AiF president Simonne Overend said: "Gateway LA presents a fantastic opportunity to make Australians in Film an even more supportive and useful resource for Australians living and working in the US and will help Australian projects secure exposure to the best networks in the business, and our goal is to discover screenplays with strong global appeal."
Overend, who runs Essential Media and Entertainment's LA office, will co-chair the program with Peter Lawson, executive VP of production and acquisitions at Open Road Films.
The judges, who will review an ‘Aussie List’ of up to 10 film and TV scripts from which between one and three winners will be chosen, are:
Audrey Chon, VP scripted television, Shine America (Gracepoint, The Bridge)
Michael Costigan, producer (Stoker, Out of the Furnace), executive producer (Brokeback Mountain, Prometheus)
Jonathan Hludzinski, creative executive at Animal Logic
Peter Lawson, EVP of production and acquisitions, Open Road Films (Triple Nine, Nightcrawler)
Simonne Overend, VP of scripted development for Essential Media
Bruna Papandrea, producer, Pacific Standard (Warm Bodies, Wild), executive producer, (Gone Girl, Milk)
Michelle Sandoval, Ausfilm executive
Bec Smith, agent, motion picture literary and independent film group at United Talent Agency
Stacey Testro, Manager/producer, Stacey Testro International
Of the judges, Overend said, 'We are so fortunate to have the support of such high calibre professionals and delighted that the Gateway LA applicants have access to a panel with such a wealth of experience and knowledge. 'The interest we’ve had from the industry in this program is indicative of the considerable enthusiasm in Los Angeles for talent currently emerging from Australia."
The winners will receive a cash award to facilitate development of the script, a flight to LA, targeted meetings with producers and executives, and table reads.
Applications close on September 12.