The Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS), Sony Pictures Television and Curio Pictures have announced Paige Webster, a proud Bilipi woman and up-and-coming screenwriter, as the winner of the inaugural Curio Pathway Internship.
Mr Webster will begin a 12-month paid position at Curio next month, based at Disney Studios’ headquarters in Sydney.
The Curio Pathway Internship is an opportunity for AFTRS graduates to restart their careers and build meaningful credits, experience, and connections while working as an active member of the development and production team at Curio Pictures.
It is supported by the Sony Pictures Creative Diversity Fund, which aims to build a community of diverse creative talent within the international television industry. The fund works across the production group, including Eleven Films, producer of Sex Education, and Left Bank Pictures, producer of The Crown.
Joe Porter, managing director of Curio Pictures, said: “As a company, we are committed to finding practical pathways to support the next generation of great talent, and we are pleased to partner with AFTRS in this effort.”
“The Curio Pathway Internship is designed to help students overcome barriers to entry into the industry and help them build meaningful credits as they begin their careers.
“Rachel Gardner and I have been impressed with the graduates we have just met, and we are delighted that Paige Webster, Class of 2025, will be joining our team as our first honoree in the new year. She is an exciting talent with a big future ahead of her.”
Webster, who will graduate from his Master of Arts in Screenwriting at the end of this year, said it was a dream come true to be able to land a paid internship at a major company straight from AFTRS.
“Doors like this internship offered didn’t often open for me, and when they did, it was usually because I got my foot in the door first,” she said.
“Curio has provided me with the opportunity to grow as a storyteller while helping to form the creative community I’ve always dreamed of. I’m so excited to throw myself into this opportunity and learn all I can about the development process while improving my screencraft.”
“My lived experiences have shaped who I am and the stories I want to tell. I have loved stories ever since I can remember, and this love of stories has motivated me throughout my formative years. This passion ultimately drove me to be the first in my family to complete an HSC and graduate from high school. On the day I turned 18, I signed my first lease and moved over five hours away to Wollongong in pursuit of higher education and a career. I moved to (south of Sydney).
“Starting from scratch, I built new networks and found community with other local creators in ways I never could have imagined. These early experiences gave me a strong understanding of the challenges faced by local and indigenous creators, especially in terms of access, opportunity, and visibility. Now, I continue to carry not only my own ambitions, but also a deep commitment to inclusion, representation, and empowering others to believe in their potential.”
Applications for this internship were invited from 2023 and 2024 AFTRS graduates and current final year students in bachelor’s and master’s programs. Sixty-nine applications were received and evaluated by a six-person panel drawn from both AFTRS and Curio Pictures staff.
AFTRS CEO Dr. Nell Greenwood said she was extremely proud that Webster was selected.
“This opportunity is a testament to Page’s talent and determination, and the power of our partnership to actively break down barriers to create a path to the screen industry,” she said.
“Curio Pictures’ commitment to developing emerging voices, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, is deeply aligned with AFTRS’ mission to foster a more inclusive and representative creative community. We are deeply grateful to Curio and Sony Pictures Television for their generosity and foresight in investing in Australia’s next generation of storytellers.”
