220923 Appsopenfortvpilotprogram

Applications open for First Nations TV pilot program

Applications are now open for the new First Nations TV Pilot Program, a television writing skills development program for First Nations South Australian screen talent, led by Channel 44 and the South Australian Film Corporation.

The program, designed by SAFC First Nations Screen Strategy Executive Pauline Clague, will be delivered in partnership with Channel 44 and is supported through the Screenrights Cultural Fund and Screen Australia’s First Nations Department.

This exciting new program features some of Australia’s most experienced First Nations TV practitioners, providing mentoring and masterclasses for up to fifteen emerging South Australian First Nations participant filmmakers, helping them to grow their skills in developing collaborative writing skills with the aim of creating sustainable careers.

The initiative will support the writers to develop television writing skills. Leading First Nations industry mentors Leah PurcellAdrian Wills and SAFC First Nations Strategy Executive Pauline Clague will assist all participants across a six-week program, delivered online, where they will learn how to create television pitch documents and write a pilot episode script. Other mentors will be invited to join across the program.

At the end of the training stage, each participant will have the opportunity to pitch their project via an application process. Up to six participants six will be selected to undertake a writers room at Channel 44, which will be a three-day workshop to help flesh out and create the pilot episode for the series.

Applicants are not required to have prior screen industry credits; however, the program is competitive, and applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment to working in television production.

Applications close Monday 17 October.

Guidelines and information about how to apply are available here.

Image: Allison Croft