SBS Emerging Writers’ Incubator returns, supporting greater diversity in Australian screenwriting

Applications are open for the SBS Emerging Writers’ Incubator, a nationwide initiative from SBS in partnership with Screen Australia, state and territory agencies Screen NSW, Screen Queensland, Screen Territory, Screenwest, the South Australian Film Corporation and VicScreen, and with the assistance of the Australian Writers’ Guild, supporting the development of under-represented screenwriting talent.

Launched in 2021, the initiative was created to invest in the future of an increasingly diverse sector and more inclusive Australian storytelling, by providing a year of paid employment in a leading Australian production company for emerging writing talent reflecting backgrounds and experiences under-represented in the Australian industry. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; people who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or with disability; people who are female or gender diverse; people who identify as LGBTQIA+; and people located in regional and remote areas.

This year, once again, six successful writers will join the teams of Australian production companies acclaimed for their delivery of Australian drama. Over 12 months, they will gain significant work experience further developing their skills, knowledge, and networks, working across the production companies’ slate of drama productions. They will also be supported by the Australian Writers’ Guild with access to creative and training workshops.

In 2022, the award-winning production companies taking part in the initiative are Brindle Films, who will host a Northern Territory writer; Easy Tiger, who will welcome a Western Australian writer into their NSW offices; Highview Productions, who will host a South Australian writer; Hoodlum Entertainment, hosting a Queensland-based writer; Jungle Entertainment, who will take on a New South Wales writer; and Sweetshop & Green, hosting a writer in Victoria.

The six successful writers from the initiative in 2021 (pictured) – who were among hundreds of applications received from across Australia – are currently working in their placements around the country, with Sebastian Chan at Bunya Productions (supported by Screen Canberra), Lâle Teoman at Goalpost Pictures (supported by Screen NSW), Nicholas Lin at Ludo Studio (supported by Screen Queensland), Ansuya Nathan at Closer Productions (supported by the South Australian Film Corporation), Alberto Di Troia at Tony Ayres Productions (supported by VicScreen) and Cassandra Nguyen at iGeneration Studios (formerly Komixx Entertainment, supported by Screenwest).

Julie Eckersley, Head of SBS Scripted, said: “The Emerging Writers’ Incubator is such a fantastic and exciting initiative we’re proud to be delivering with our partners. The support it provides to creatives making their way in this industry – from all backgrounds and diverse experiences that reflect Australia today – has the potential to make a significant impact in their careers, as well as the future of our sector and stories on our screens.

“It’s great to be working with partners again this year who share our passion, particularly the production companies hosting writers in 2022. Good luck to all those applying – I can’t wait to see what we uncover.”

Melissa Lee Speyer, Development Executive, Screen Australia, said: “Screen Australia is excited to support the second year of this initiative, and we can’t wait to see more outstanding talent from under-represented backgrounds unearthed all over Australia, and further escalated in their careers. This year-long placement opportunity with top production companies will make their career readiness undeniable.”

David Gordon, Acting Head of Screen NSW, said: “Screen NSW is proud to support the Emerging Writers’ Incubator with SBS and to back a new generation of diverse writing talents through this program. The Emerging Writers’ Incubator will make possible a pathway for under-represented screenwriters across the country to develop the skills and share new stories that will add to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive screen industry. I encourage any potential screenwriters from NSW with a dream and a unique perspective to give it a go.”

Belinda Burns, Screen Queensland Chief Creative Officer, said: “Screen Queensland is proud to support this initiative again, to help elevate and champion vital stories from Australia’s diverse and under-represented talent. This year, we’re thrilled to endorse a Queensland screenwriter to join the team at award-winning production company, Hoodlum Entertainment.”

Jennie Hughes, Director of Screen Territory, said: “Screen Territory is delighted to be supporting the Emerging Writers’ Incubator this year with Screen Australia and SBS.  The initiative will provide a unique opportunity for an emerging screenwriter to learn from and collaborate with Brindle Films, one of the NT’s most exciting and successful production companies.”

Martha Coleman, Screenwest Head of Creative: Content and Industry Development, said: “Screenwest is proud to be supporting this life changing initiative for the second year. Our 2021 recipient, Cassandra Nguyen, is gaining invaluable knowledge and experience at iGeneration Studios (formerly Komixx Entertainment) in Perth, and we’re delighted to provide an equally talented new Western Australian writer this opportunity at Easy Tiger.”

Kate Croser, CEO of the South Australian Film Corporation, said: “The SAFC is delighted to once again support this exciting initiative as part of our ongoing commitment to increase diversity in the South Australian screen sector, and to grow and diversify the pool of credited South Australian key creatives. Following last year’s South Australian recipient, Ansuya Nathan, joining the team at Closer Productions, we are thrilled to provide an opportunity for another South Australian writer to develop their skills at Highview Productions, working directly with Lisa Scott, the producer behind international smash hit The Tourist.”

Caroline Pitcher, CEO of VicScreen, said: “VicScreen is proud to continue to support the Emerging Writers’ Incubator, bringing together the nation’s screen industry to ensure more diverse stories reach our screens. This initiative builds on our Industry Skills and Talent Development program that has long demonstrated the significant impact these experiences can have on the careers of emerging screen creators.”

Susie Hamilton, Professional Development Manager, Australian Writers’ Guild, added: “The AWG is delighted to continue its association with the Emerging Writers’ Incubator in 2022. With the unique opportunities it presents, the value of this initiative cannot be underestimated. We look forward to seeing what this year’s applicants have to offer.”

The Emerging Writers’ Incubator is open for applications from 26 April 2022 until 27 May 2022. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by early August 2022, with placements in host companies due to commence later this year.

Applications are made with each participating screen agency:

• NSW applicants – Screen NSW
• Queensland applicants – Screen Queensland
• Northern Territory applicants – Screen Territory
• West Australian applicants – Screenwest
• South Australian applicants – SAFC
• Victorian applicants – VicScreen

Co-funded by SBS and Screen Australia, with participating state and territory screen agencies, the Emerging Writers’ Incubator initiative will support the careers of 18 emerging writers over the three years of the program, with six successful candidates partnered with production companies around Australia each year.

The Emerging Writers’ Incubator is one of the many initiatives delivered by SBS designed to improve diversity and inclusion in the screen industry. Read more about this work here. 

For a PDF version of this media release, click here. 

About the 2022 Emerging Writers’ Incubator participating production companies

Brindle Films (hosting a Northern Territory writer)
Based in Alice Springs, multi award-winning Brindle Films is a prolific Northern Territory screen production company, founded in 2011 by producer/actor/writer/director Trisha Morton-Thomas and producer Rachel Clements who have collaborated on over 80 hours of film and television, from remote Aboriginal communities to international locations, including MaveriX for ABC and Netflix, 8MMM Aboriginal Radio for ABC, and Finke: There and Back and The Song Keepers for theatrical release. Creating high quality and innovative scripted and documentary content for television and theatrical release, Brindle Films has become one of the Northern Territory’s most respected production companies. 50% Aboriginal-owned, the company’s name reflects a commitment to creating unique and diverse Australian stories through collaborations with filmmakers of all ethnic backgrounds, be they black, white or brindle.

Easy Tiger Productions (hosting a Western Australian writer)
Easy Tiger is a boutique, award-winning, talent friendly Australian production company, established in 2017 under the global FremantleMedia banner by producer Ian Collie who previously ran the Drama division of Essential Media.  

Easy Tiger’s credits include the ABC drama comedy Rake (five seasons, plus a US format), starring Richard Roxburgh, Jack Irish (two seasons, plus three telemovies) starring Guy Pearce and based on the award-winning crime novels of Peter Temple, and a further Peter Temple adaptation the telemovie The Broken Shore. It is also the producer of Nine Network top-rating drama comedy Doctor Doctor (two seasons), distributed internationally (Sky Germany and others) as The Heart Guy.

Easy Tiger received international acclaim for its four-part SBS drama Sunshine – which opened the inaugural Melbourne chapter of Séries Mania in 2017, and features Anthony la Paglia, Melanie Lynskey and a fine array of new actors from the South Sudanese community of Australia. 

Highview Productions (hosting a South Australian writer)
Highview Productions is a producer of quality scripted drama and comedy. Since the company’s inception in 2019, despite a global pandemic, Highview has produced two very successful dramas: A Sunburnt Christmas (Stan) nominated for 2021 AACTA Best Telefeature or Mini Series in collaboration with Every Cloud Productions and The Tourist which premiered on BBC1, Stan & HBO Max in early 2022 to critical acclaim, smashing ratings records on all platforms and was produced in conjunction with the Emmy-winning UK producers, Two Brothers Pictures.

Lisa Scott, founder of Highview Productions, is one of Australia’s leading producers of television drama. Nominated for numerous AACTA, Logie and Screen Producers Awards, her previous credits include The Hunting for Closer Productions, SBS’s most successful Australian drama to date, Pine Gap, a six-part geopolitical thriller for Netflix/ABC, internationally celebrated miniseries ANZAC Girls, and producer of three seasons of the acclaimed Janet King. 

Hoodlum Entertainment (hosting a Queensland writer)
Hoodlum is an Emmy® and BAFTA Award-winning production company founded in 1999 by Tracey Robertson and Nathan Mayfield and operating between Australia, the US and the UK. The company’s global slate runs across scripted and unscripted television and feature film with productions currently in development with partners including ABC Signature, Fox, Peacock, Netflix, Stan, CBS International and A&E amongst others. 

Hoodlum’s most recent productions are the romantic comedy feature films CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM, which premiered on Stan, and A PERFECT PAIRING for Netflix, due for release in May 2022. Hoodlum also recently released the third season of FIVE BEDROOMS, which premiered on Paramount Plus in Australia and Peacock in the US. Other recent productions include the third season of HARROW starring Ioan Gruffudd, the second series of the ABC Signature / Amazon series THE WILDS, and AACTA winning series ALL MY FRIENDS ARE RACIST, streaming on ABC TV + iview.

Jungle Entertainment (hosting a New South Wales writer)
Jungle Entertainment produces premium drama and comedy for a worldwide audience. We collaborate with the very best creators and work tirelessly to champion their unique vision. We are known for a signature comedic tone, through which we explore the light and the dark in every story.

2021 saw four Jungle productions on air in the US, including Wakefield (Showtime/ ABC Australia/ BBC Studios), the fourth season of NO ACTIVITY (Paramount Plus), the third season of MR INBETWEEN (FX) and the second season of A MOODY CHRISTMAS (Fox). NO ACTIVITY is currently one of the highest selling comedy formats around the world having been remade in 11 territories including the US. The US adaptation is directed and written by Jungle partner Trent O’Donnell and stars Will Ferrell, Bob Odenkirk, Amy Sedaris and JK Simmons.

Sweetshop & Green (hosting a Victorian writer) 
Sweetshop & Green is an Australian and New Zealand production company focused on producing local film and TV projects for global audiences. The company is a new partnership between Sweetshop founder Sharlene George and awarded producer Gal Greenspan (Green Productions). Sweetshop & Green’s sensibilities lie with culturally diverse stories that are artistically driven. Recent production highlights include Sara Kern’s Moja Vesna (Berlinale 2022), Mark Albiston’s Datsun (SXSW 2022, Berlinale 2022) and Taratoa Stappard’s Taumanu (TVNZ). They specialise in international co-productions, developing and producing distinct projects for identified international audiences.