The Australian International Screen Forum (ASIF) and Screenworks have selected seven regionally based writers to take part in the ‘Write From Home’ screenwriting program, which aims to connect them with US-based mentors and producers.
The initiative was developed to empower screenwriters living outside of Australia’s major production hubs, allowing them to collaborate internationally without leaving their local communities.
This year’s members include Paul Bigella, Michelle Ra, Harriet Riley, Ali Sinclair, Dave Wade, Marika Walsh and Kimberly Wells.
Authors hope to enhance their projects for international markets through direct engagement with industry experts in New York and Los Angeles, including development sessions, live readings, and pitching.
The 2025 program will be hosted by ASIF Executive Director Michael Kelleher and producer Laura Luckenbaugh, former director of international programming at AMC Networks.
Six workshops will be held on Zoom from now until mid-December, led by mentors including Blueprint Screenwriting Group founder Timothy Cooper, Paramount+ and Shondaland writer Parker Lemal-Brown, and Writers Lab founders Elizabeth Kaiden and Nizza Willon.
“Write From Home transcends the barrier of distance and creates a professional bridge between regional Australian writers and the US industry,” Mr Kelleher said.
“Our goal is to help writers refine their voice and positioning for the global market, while maintaining the authenticity of regional storytelling.”
Lisa O’Meara, CEO of Screenworks, added that they are excited to be able to offer a bespoke program with AISF, which will allow writers in the region to “improve their skills, expand their networks and realize their full creative and commercial potential on the world stage”.
“For screenwriters who want to build an international career, access to international training programs and decision-makers in global markets is critical,” she said.
Participating artists:
Paul Bigella (Rye, Victoria) — Writer and director of short-form storytelling that combines character-driven comedy and drama. A former commercial director and volunteer firefighter, he brings an authentic regional perspective to the story of modern Australia.
Michelle La (Mareeba, Queensland) — Award-winning screenwriter drawn to bold, character-driven stories with a balance of heart and humour. Most recently, Michelle’s family drama web series Chopsticks & Chippies won the NQ Discovering New Online Voices program and received $10,000 in development funding from Screen Queensland.
Harriet Riley (Albany, Wash.) — Award-winning author and climate strategist with experience at UNICEF and the United Nations. Her screenplays are based on her work on environmental policy, espionage, and human rights, and combine journalistic precision with cinematic scope.
Allie Sinclair (Geelong, Victoria) — Best-selling novelist, producer and screenwriter specializing in stories inspired by real women who changed the world. Her novel Codebreakers has been made into a film, and she produced and wrote the documentary Red Lipstick Intelligence, which reveals the untold history of Australian women in signals intelligence.
Dave Wade (Whyalla, SA) — Award-winning writer/director of the short films Cropped and Welcome to Iron Knob (AACTA “Short Film of the Decade”). Wade’s work has been screened internationally and he has developed feature films and television projects with support from Screen Australia and the Film Corporation of South Australia.
Marieka Walsh (Illawarra, NSW) — AACTA-winning animation director. His hybrid documentary/animation work has been shown at SXSW, Berlinale, and MIFF. Walsh is developing a live-action climate fiction drama that explores climate change, e-waste and motherhood.
Kimberly Wells (Central Coast, NSW) — Kimberly Wells is an Australian-Canadian writer, director and producer of award-winning short films and digital series. She develops comedy and genre projects with independent production partners and joined Screenworks’ Inside the Writers Room with Perpetual Entertainment in 2023.
