Australia, that powerhouse in entertainment, feted 15 Oscar nominees from Down Under and New Zealand at the Australian consul general’s residence Wednesday in Brentwood.
While celebrating the noms — 10 for Australia and five for New Zealand — Peter Ritchie, head of Australians in Film, said, “My mission here in L.A. is to open doors for some of the excluded and undiscovered writers and directors who could be the next Oscar nominees.”
With Melanie Annan, editor of the nominated doc short “Three Songs for Benazir,” Ritchie said, “Australian influence is not necessarily only on Australia, but around the world.”
Consul-general Jane Duke congratulated all the nominees. “You are really extraordinary,” she said. “You should be deservedly proud of this amazing recognition. We’re all proud for you. I’ve said this before but it bears repeating. All of you are fantastic assets and important for our soft power. Through your talent, through your creativity,...
While celebrating the noms — 10 for Australia and five for New Zealand — Peter Ritchie, head of Australians in Film, said, “My mission here in L.A. is to open doors for some of the excluded and undiscovered writers and directors who could be the next Oscar nominees.”
With Melanie Annan, editor of the nominated doc short “Three Songs for Benazir,” Ritchie said, “Australian influence is not necessarily only on Australia, but around the world.”
Consul-general Jane Duke congratulated all the nominees. “You are really extraordinary,” she said. “You should be deservedly proud of this amazing recognition. We’re all proud for you. I’ve said this before but it bears repeating. All of you are fantastic assets and important for our soft power. Through your talent, through your creativity,...
- 3/24/2022
- by Shalini Dore
- Variety Film + TV
The South Australian Film Corporation (Safc) and Australians in Film (AiF) have announced a new online initiative designed to give South Australian producers more opportunities to connect with the US film and television industry.
Delivered by AiF with support from the Safc, Charlie’s Virtual Residency is an online version of AiF’s Los Angeles screen hub Charlie’s, a creative workspace for the Australian filmmaking community in the US to conduct business, collaborate, and network.
Three South Australian producers will be selected for the residency, which offers a bespoke online program of facilitated group sessions with US screen practitioners from film and television production companies, development executives, managers, and agents, as well as individual meetings with AiF executive director Peter Ritchie and US industry consultant Jennifer Kushner.
There are also tailored sessions covering the US industry and market intelligence, insights into how South Australian practitioners can compete in the international market,...
Delivered by AiF with support from the Safc, Charlie’s Virtual Residency is an online version of AiF’s Los Angeles screen hub Charlie’s, a creative workspace for the Australian filmmaking community in the US to conduct business, collaborate, and network.
Three South Australian producers will be selected for the residency, which offers a bespoke online program of facilitated group sessions with US screen practitioners from film and television production companies, development executives, managers, and agents, as well as individual meetings with AiF executive director Peter Ritchie and US industry consultant Jennifer Kushner.
There are also tailored sessions covering the US industry and market intelligence, insights into how South Australian practitioners can compete in the international market,...
- 10/6/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Chris Hemsworth, Jacki Weaver, UK casting director Nina Gold, Rachel Perkins, and US actor Alia Shawkat will make up the jury for this year’s Heath Ledger Scholarship.
They join a group of US and Australian casting directors that have been appointed first-round judges, including Jason Wood, Barbara McCarthy, Alyssa Weisberg, John McAlary, Ann Fay, Amanda Mitchell, and Anousha Zarkesh.
Australians in Film has also announced Ledger’s longtime friend and colleague, Gregor Jordan, as a patron of the scholarship, alongside Ledger’s father Kim, scholarship founder Susie Dobson, and casting director Ann Fay.
Jordan will provide professional support and guidance for the recipient during the 12 months of international training and professional development that the scholarship offers in Los Angeles.
Kim Ledger said Jordan’s support for the scholarship and close relationship with his son meant it was “only fitting” the Two Hands director be named as a patron.
Awarded...
They join a group of US and Australian casting directors that have been appointed first-round judges, including Jason Wood, Barbara McCarthy, Alyssa Weisberg, John McAlary, Ann Fay, Amanda Mitchell, and Anousha Zarkesh.
Australians in Film has also announced Ledger’s longtime friend and colleague, Gregor Jordan, as a patron of the scholarship, alongside Ledger’s father Kim, scholarship founder Susie Dobson, and casting director Ann Fay.
Jordan will provide professional support and guidance for the recipient during the 12 months of international training and professional development that the scholarship offers in Los Angeles.
Kim Ledger said Jordan’s support for the scholarship and close relationship with his son meant it was “only fitting” the Two Hands director be named as a patron.
Awarded...
- 9/23/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia and Australians in Film (AiF) have announced the participants for the Talent Gateway and the Global Producers Exchange, both designed to connect Australian creatives with key US decision-makers.
The delegates chosen for the Talent Gateway program are Vanessa Alexander, Jon Bell, and Samuel Van Grinsven, as well as teams Alice Foulcher and Gregory Erdstein, and Naomi Higgins and Humyara Mahbub.
Each participant or team will receive a grant of up to $20,000 to enable them to take part in the initiative, which runs from this month until June 2022. Funding is also available to develop, refine and market the IP on their slate that receives positive interest, in order to quickly engage international partners.
A total of 12 delegates from six production companies will take part in Global Producers Exchange, a scripted development lab that features a series of roundtables and masterclasses with key US-based decision-makers and mentors.
The recipients comprise...
The delegates chosen for the Talent Gateway program are Vanessa Alexander, Jon Bell, and Samuel Van Grinsven, as well as teams Alice Foulcher and Gregory Erdstein, and Naomi Higgins and Humyara Mahbub.
Each participant or team will receive a grant of up to $20,000 to enable them to take part in the initiative, which runs from this month until June 2022. Funding is also available to develop, refine and market the IP on their slate that receives positive interest, in order to quickly engage international partners.
A total of 12 delegates from six production companies will take part in Global Producers Exchange, a scripted development lab that features a series of roundtables and masterclasses with key US-based decision-makers and mentors.
The recipients comprise...
- 9/22/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Applications are open for Australians in Film’s (AiF) Heath Ledger Scholarship, which is returning after a two-year hiatus.
Awarded to emerging Australian actors with international aspirations, the scholarship has so far been awarded ten times, with previous recipients including Bella Heathcote (Pieces of Her), Cody Fern (American Crime Story), Ashleigh Cummings (Citadel), Mojean Aria (Reminiscence) and Charmaine Bingwa (The Good Fight).
This year’s winner will receive a $US10,000 cash prize to support living expenses in the US while studying, a return economy flight to the US, plus educational and career preparation, ranging from private acting coaching to immigration assistance.
The National Film & Sound Archive of Australia (Nfsa) is also partnering with AiF to offer the scholarship recipient the opportunity to have their submission reel profiled in the National Collection,
The AiF is strongly encouraging applications from under-represented members of the Australian acting community to apply.
Bingwa, who was named the 2018 recipient,...
Awarded to emerging Australian actors with international aspirations, the scholarship has so far been awarded ten times, with previous recipients including Bella Heathcote (Pieces of Her), Cody Fern (American Crime Story), Ashleigh Cummings (Citadel), Mojean Aria (Reminiscence) and Charmaine Bingwa (The Good Fight).
This year’s winner will receive a $US10,000 cash prize to support living expenses in the US while studying, a return economy flight to the US, plus educational and career preparation, ranging from private acting coaching to immigration assistance.
The National Film & Sound Archive of Australia (Nfsa) is also partnering with AiF to offer the scholarship recipient the opportunity to have their submission reel profiled in the National Collection,
The AiF is strongly encouraging applications from under-represented members of the Australian acting community to apply.
Bingwa, who was named the 2018 recipient,...
- 9/2/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Australians in Film (AiF) and Screen Australia have announced the five participants to advance to the next stage of Untapped, a talent development program that aims to support the next generation of undiscovered and underrepresented Australian screen voices.
Launched in April and funded with support from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the Untapped program has so far included open-access online masterclasses, featuring conversations with Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers, Nisha Ganatra, Alma Har’el and Warwick Thornton.
This next stage will see the five finalists and their projects move forward into a development lab where they will receive individualised mentorship, story consultation, creative feedback and professional development support from top industry mentors including executives from Made Up Stories, LuckyChap Entertainment, See-Saw Films and Truant Pictures.
“These five talented Untapped finalists were chosen out of a rigorous selection process of over 700 applicants. With the diversity of their lived experiences and fresh approach to storytelling,...
Launched in April and funded with support from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the Untapped program has so far included open-access online masterclasses, featuring conversations with Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers, Nisha Ganatra, Alma Har’el and Warwick Thornton.
This next stage will see the five finalists and their projects move forward into a development lab where they will receive individualised mentorship, story consultation, creative feedback and professional development support from top industry mentors including executives from Made Up Stories, LuckyChap Entertainment, See-Saw Films and Truant Pictures.
“These five talented Untapped finalists were chosen out of a rigorous selection process of over 700 applicants. With the diversity of their lived experiences and fresh approach to storytelling,...
- 8/24/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
Screen Australia and Australians in Film (AiF) have launched two joint initiatives for creatives to expand their skills so they may have a greater chance of success in the global market.
The Talent Gateway program and the Global Producers Exchange both focus on the skills, knowledge, access, and relationships necessary to reach overseas audiences, with the former aimed at accomplished screenwriters and directors, and the latter geared towards scripted producers.
Up to six delegates will be selected to participate in the Talent Gateway program, which will include roundtables, masterclasses, introductions to key US-based screen decision-makers, and individualised mentorships.
Running from September 2021 to June 2022, each delegate will receive a grant of up to $20,000 to enable them to take part. Funding will also be used to develop, refine and market the IP on their slate that receives any positive interest, to quickly engage international partners for their careers and projects.
Similarly, up...
The Talent Gateway program and the Global Producers Exchange both focus on the skills, knowledge, access, and relationships necessary to reach overseas audiences, with the former aimed at accomplished screenwriters and directors, and the latter geared towards scripted producers.
Up to six delegates will be selected to participate in the Talent Gateway program, which will include roundtables, masterclasses, introductions to key US-based screen decision-makers, and individualised mentorships.
Running from September 2021 to June 2022, each delegate will receive a grant of up to $20,000 to enable them to take part. Funding will also be used to develop, refine and market the IP on their slate that receives any positive interest, to quickly engage international partners for their careers and projects.
Similarly, up...
- 5/11/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Australians in Film (AiF) has announced the 10 ambassadors for its inaugural Untapped professional development program.
Corrie Chen, Jub Clerc, Brooke Goldfinch, Liv Hewson, Julie Kalceff, Gemma Bird Matheson, Daniel Monks, Mitchell Stanley, Nicholas Verso and Steve Vidler will front the selection committee for the initiative, which is supported by Screen Australia and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
Geared towards undiscovered and underrepresented members of the Australian screen industry, the program features a series of masterclasses by filmmakers, including Taika Waititi, Alma Ha’rel (Honey Boy), and Warwick Thornton, as well as a four-month development lab with production companies, such as LuckyChap Entertainment, Blossom Films and Made Up Stories.
AiF executive director Peter Ritchie said the ambassadors were “changing the face” of the Australian industry, internationally and at home, with their work.
“We couldn’t be prouder to have supported them in their careers, in some small way, and are so...
Corrie Chen, Jub Clerc, Brooke Goldfinch, Liv Hewson, Julie Kalceff, Gemma Bird Matheson, Daniel Monks, Mitchell Stanley, Nicholas Verso and Steve Vidler will front the selection committee for the initiative, which is supported by Screen Australia and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
Geared towards undiscovered and underrepresented members of the Australian screen industry, the program features a series of masterclasses by filmmakers, including Taika Waititi, Alma Ha’rel (Honey Boy), and Warwick Thornton, as well as a four-month development lab with production companies, such as LuckyChap Entertainment, Blossom Films and Made Up Stories.
AiF executive director Peter Ritchie said the ambassadors were “changing the face” of the Australian industry, internationally and at home, with their work.
“We couldn’t be prouder to have supported them in their careers, in some small way, and are so...
- 3/14/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Australians in Film (AiF) has partnered with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Screen Australia to launch Untapped, a breakthrough talent development program for undiscovered and underrepresented filmmakers.
The nine-month online program will include masterclasses and mentorship from internationally successful production companies.
It begins with open-access conversations with Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers (Search Party), Nisha Ganatra, Alma Har’el, Warwick Thornton and Taika Waititi.
Following the masterclasses, five creators or creative teams will then be selected for the Untapped Development Lab, a four-month intensive mentorship program.
Selected participants will receive individualised mentorship, story consultation, creative feedback and professional development support from top industry mentors including executives from Blossom Films, Made Up Stories, LuckyChap Entertainment, See-Saw Films and Truant Pictures. Each creative team will receive a $2000 stipend.
Overall the Untapped program aims to give emerging screenwriters and directors the education and access needed to fast track their careers and their projects.
The nine-month online program will include masterclasses and mentorship from internationally successful production companies.
It begins with open-access conversations with Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers (Search Party), Nisha Ganatra, Alma Har’el, Warwick Thornton and Taika Waititi.
Following the masterclasses, five creators or creative teams will then be selected for the Untapped Development Lab, a four-month intensive mentorship program.
Selected participants will receive individualised mentorship, story consultation, creative feedback and professional development support from top industry mentors including executives from Blossom Films, Made Up Stories, LuckyChap Entertainment, See-Saw Films and Truant Pictures. Each creative team will receive a $2000 stipend.
Overall the Untapped program aims to give emerging screenwriters and directors the education and access needed to fast track their careers and their projects.
- 2/17/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
(L-r): Monica Zanetti, Mithila Gupta, Julie Kalceff, Darlene Johnson and Brooke Goldfinch.
Mithila Gupta, Brooke Goldfinch, Darlene Johnson, Julie Kalceff and Monica Zanetti have been selected by Screen Nsw and Australians in Film (AiF) to participate in a two-stage professional development lab designed to foster career pathways and networks in the US industry.
Known as the Charlie’s Talent Escalator Lab, the initiative is supported by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Each of the five filmmakers have already completed the first stage: a customised five-day virtual lab, which saw them paired with an industry mentor in LA, and given access to executives at US networks, streamers and studios, as well as writers, directors and producers.
For stage two, to be held in 2021 when health guidelines permit, participants will then travel to LA to meet their mentors, spend time in the field, attend meetings and network at Charlie’s in Raleigh Studios.
Mithila Gupta, Brooke Goldfinch, Darlene Johnson, Julie Kalceff and Monica Zanetti have been selected by Screen Nsw and Australians in Film (AiF) to participate in a two-stage professional development lab designed to foster career pathways and networks in the US industry.
Known as the Charlie’s Talent Escalator Lab, the initiative is supported by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Each of the five filmmakers have already completed the first stage: a customised five-day virtual lab, which saw them paired with an industry mentor in LA, and given access to executives at US networks, streamers and studios, as well as writers, directors and producers.
For stage two, to be held in 2021 when health guidelines permit, participants will then travel to LA to meet their mentors, spend time in the field, attend meetings and network at Charlie’s in Raleigh Studios.
- 8/26/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Top: Larissa Behrendt, Mitchell Stanley. Bottom: Lucy Hayes, Nora Niasari.
Writer/directors Nora Niasari and Larissa Behrendt and producers Lucy Hayes and Mitchell Stanley have been selected to participate in Australians in Film (AiF) and Screen Australia’s Mentor La program.
The participants will be matched mentors writer Luke Davies director Alethea Jones, Animal Logic CEO Zareh Nalbandian and director of creative development, Columbia Pictures Jiao Chen (Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Unchartered).
Each participant will receive four one-hour sessions with their mentor; three online, and one face-to-face in Los Angeles once international travel restrictions are lifted. Each receives return airfares, and living expenses for five days in La.
The meetings are designed to provide recipients with personalised, first-hand experience of the challenges and knowledge these mentors have learnt from working in the highly competitive Hollywood system. The knowledge provided will help not only bolster their careers, but the professional capacity of the broader Australian screen sector.
Writer/directors Nora Niasari and Larissa Behrendt and producers Lucy Hayes and Mitchell Stanley have been selected to participate in Australians in Film (AiF) and Screen Australia’s Mentor La program.
The participants will be matched mentors writer Luke Davies director Alethea Jones, Animal Logic CEO Zareh Nalbandian and director of creative development, Columbia Pictures Jiao Chen (Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Unchartered).
Each participant will receive four one-hour sessions with their mentor; three online, and one face-to-face in Los Angeles once international travel restrictions are lifted. Each receives return airfares, and living expenses for five days in La.
The meetings are designed to provide recipients with personalised, first-hand experience of the challenges and knowledge these mentors have learnt from working in the highly competitive Hollywood system. The knowledge provided will help not only bolster their careers, but the professional capacity of the broader Australian screen sector.
- 6/9/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Clockwise from top left: Alethea Jones, Jiao Chen, Zareh Nalbandian, Luke Davies.
Luke Davies, Alethea Jones, Animal Logic CEO Zareh Nalbandian and Columbia Pictures’ director of creative development Jiao Chen will be the mentors in this year’s Mentor La program.
Applications are now open for the development program for mid-level screen professionals. Applicants must be Australian residents currently living in Australia.
Australians in Film (AiF) and Screen Australia are encouraging applications from groups currently under-represented in the Australian screen industry including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disabilities, Lgbtqi and gender diverse people.
Established in 2017, Mentor La consists of four one-hour sessions. Three are held online and one is face-to-face in Los Angeles, starting in April.
The sessions are designed to provide mentees with personalized, first-hand knowledge of the challenges and knowledge these mentors have learnt from working in the Hollywood system.
Luke Davies, Alethea Jones, Animal Logic CEO Zareh Nalbandian and Columbia Pictures’ director of creative development Jiao Chen will be the mentors in this year’s Mentor La program.
Applications are now open for the development program for mid-level screen professionals. Applicants must be Australian residents currently living in Australia.
Australians in Film (AiF) and Screen Australia are encouraging applications from groups currently under-represented in the Australian screen industry including women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disabilities, Lgbtqi and gender diverse people.
Established in 2017, Mentor La consists of four one-hour sessions. Three are held online and one is face-to-face in Los Angeles, starting in April.
The sessions are designed to provide mentees with personalized, first-hand knowledge of the challenges and knowledge these mentors have learnt from working in the Hollywood system.
- 3/9/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Alison Bell with Sarah Scheller at Charlie’s (Photo: Costa Vakas).
Victorian College of the Arts (Vca) film and television alumni will have the opportunity to work in Los Angeles thanks to a new partnership between Australians in Film (AiF) and the University of Melbourne.
The $92,000 three-year partnership is the first of its type between AiF and a university and will allow mid-career film and TV graduates to apply for a hot desk at Charlie’s on the Raleigh Studios lot.
Concurrently, the University also announced today the creation of the Melbourne Screen Fund, which aims to raise $5 million in donations to support current Vca students and alumni.
Explaining the rationale for the fund, Vca head of film and television Sandra Sciberras said: “We are all aware of the difficulty of financing films and the vital need for gap finance to support ambitious work that might not otherwise get produced.
“I...
Victorian College of the Arts (Vca) film and television alumni will have the opportunity to work in Los Angeles thanks to a new partnership between Australians in Film (AiF) and the University of Melbourne.
The $92,000 three-year partnership is the first of its type between AiF and a university and will allow mid-career film and TV graduates to apply for a hot desk at Charlie’s on the Raleigh Studios lot.
Concurrently, the University also announced today the creation of the Melbourne Screen Fund, which aims to raise $5 million in donations to support current Vca students and alumni.
Explaining the rationale for the fund, Vca head of film and television Sandra Sciberras said: “We are all aware of the difficulty of financing films and the vital need for gap finance to support ambitious work that might not otherwise get produced.
“I...
- 3/4/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Charlie’s. (Photo: Hayeth Tarem)
Screen Nsw and Australians in Film (AiF), with the help of a grant from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), will support five writers and directors, including representation of Indigenous screen talent, to attend a customised five-day professional development lab in Los Angeles in May.
The funding will international flights, accommodation, meals and networking events. The program take place at AiF’s dedicated workspace hub for Aussies in Hollywood, Charlie’s, located within Raleigh Studios.
Screen Nsw head Grainne Brunsdon said: “With the global entertainment industry continuing to evolve, this opportunity is designed to give our mid-career and established Nsw screen practitioners a vital, and current, inside scoop on the Hollywood experience and introduce them to those in the know.
“As well as unprecedented access to a range of industry experts including managers, agents and creative development executives, our group will spend time getting to...
Screen Nsw and Australians in Film (AiF), with the help of a grant from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), will support five writers and directors, including representation of Indigenous screen talent, to attend a customised five-day professional development lab in Los Angeles in May.
The funding will international flights, accommodation, meals and networking events. The program take place at AiF’s dedicated workspace hub for Aussies in Hollywood, Charlie’s, located within Raleigh Studios.
Screen Nsw head Grainne Brunsdon said: “With the global entertainment industry continuing to evolve, this opportunity is designed to give our mid-career and established Nsw screen practitioners a vital, and current, inside scoop on the Hollywood experience and introduce them to those in the know.
“As well as unprecedented access to a range of industry experts including managers, agents and creative development executives, our group will spend time getting to...
- 2/17/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
(L – R): AiF executive director Peter Ritchie, 2019 Regional Screen In La Program recipient Joshua Tyler, Australian Consul General La Chelsey Martin, AiF chair Simonne Overend and Screenworks CEO Ken Crouch.
The second iteration of Screenworks and Australians In Film (AiF)’s Regional Screen in La Program will take the form of an internship with Animal Logic Entertainment (Ale), offering upcoming or recent grads from regional Australia an opportunity to work out of the company’s La office.
AiF have run internship programs with Ale for the past five years and recipients have gone onto careers in the Australian and international screen industries, including Melanie Jayne (HBO), Sleena Wilson (Black Bear Pictures) and Lauren Brown (Ludo Studio).
The internship will run for two months in 2020 and cover all aspects of international feature film development, acquisitions, packaging and production. The successful recipient will work with both Ale and its subsidiary live-action production company,...
The second iteration of Screenworks and Australians In Film (AiF)’s Regional Screen in La Program will take the form of an internship with Animal Logic Entertainment (Ale), offering upcoming or recent grads from regional Australia an opportunity to work out of the company’s La office.
AiF have run internship programs with Ale for the past five years and recipients have gone onto careers in the Australian and international screen industries, including Melanie Jayne (HBO), Sleena Wilson (Black Bear Pictures) and Lauren Brown (Ludo Studio).
The internship will run for two months in 2020 and cover all aspects of international feature film development, acquisitions, packaging and production. The successful recipient will work with both Ale and its subsidiary live-action production company,...
- 11/11/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
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