The state branches of Women in Film & Television (WIFT) are set to form an alliance under a national banner, WIFT Australia, in a move designed amplify advocacy efforts towards gender parity in the Australian screen industry.
WIFT Australia has announced that applications are open for MentorHer (previously known as Big Screen Sister in NSW), a three-month program that facilitates mentorships between emerging, early career practitioners or those looking to shift into a new area in the screen industry as well as more experienced practitioners.
"I am no less a mother because I hire carers to look after my children when I am unable to do so myself, and I am no less a film director or writer because I have children."
The screen industry needs to "meaningfully grapple" with the longstanding, systemic issues that impact upon parents/carers in the sector, according to Professor Deb Verhoeven, one of the researchers behind Raising Films Australia's recent survey report.
Over a year ago, the Weinstein allegations ignited the momentum of the #MeToo movement. Since then there has been an overwhelming shift in conversations around gender, sexual harassment and diversity. The exposure of the pain and damage of abuse is unprecedented. This has also given rise to fear and uncertainty about what to do next. I think it is timely to recall the words of #Metoo founder Tarana Burke, who describes one of the specific purposes of the movement as radical community healing, writes WIFT Australia chair Katrina Irawati Graham.
All the talk about the need for structural and cultural change in the screen industry must be converted into widespread action, according to Women in Film & Television (WIFT) Australia
Off the back of last year's Raising Films Australia survey, which surveyed parents and carers about their experiences working in the screen industry, Create NSW has introduced a series of new initiatives - similar to those recently implemented by the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC).
Producer Carolyn Johnson and director Catriona McKenzie are the inaugural recipients of the SAFC's Doing It Differently development initiative for their screen adaptation of Patricia Cornelius’ play, 'Love'.