Newly appointed ABC Managing Director Hewmarks and Screen Australia Chair Michael Aid will take the stage at Screen Producer’s Screen Forever Conference on the Gold Coast in May.
Former CEO of 9, Marks took over the top job at David Anderson’s national broadcaster this month after being unanimously appointed for a five-year term last December. Ebeid, former CEO and managing director of SBS, became slightly longer as the head of the Screen Australia Board in February 2024, replacing Nicholas Moore and head of the Screen Australia Board.
Both speak as part of a critical change, radical storytelling, discoverability and audience, and one of five meeting threads from delegation to money, an influential channel.
Spa CEO Matthew Diener said this year’s program is “the most ambitious and thought-provoking ever,” under the theme of changing the story.
“Developed in collaboration with industry experts, it reflects the evolving landscape of our sector and the key conversations that will shape its future,” he said.
“We have designed a program that challenges traditional thinking, engages with industry leaders, induces innovative ideas, and provides representatives with unique opportunities to promote meaningful business connectivity and co-production opportunities.
“Our industry is at a critical moment of navigating both disruption and opportunity globally. ScreenForever 39 provides a platform to explore these shifts and offers representatives the opportunity to be part of a transformational debate that will help define the future of Australia’s screen production.”
Screen at Gold Coast last year.
Sessions based on significant changes include driving the screen business in the future by putting people first. This explores ways that can promote better outcomes along with research into the value of producer credit, cultural safety of international joint production, next great opportunity, reduction, and research into the value of producer credit for sustainable production to explore the impact of carbon:carbon:eyeey.
Of sessions under the fundamentals of storytelling, they share their vision. How writers and producers work together to develop a script series for green light. Showrunner equation: writers, producers, blurred lines – featuring both Australian and international talent behind some of our biggest shows on screen. A climate of stories featuring panels of international and country experts. Reboot vs. original, reinventing IP and anatomy of original creation. And Power of Procedures & Comfort TV – why we’re coming back, international producers will break down the appeal of the staple food genre and discuss the potential secrets behind lasting success.
Discoverability and Audience features multiple sessions that explore the viewer’s economy from broadcasts to Netflix, Netflix and YouTube.
In obligation to money, representatives hear from NITV’s new commissioning team to chart First Nations Futures: a bold new era of NITV, an audacious new era of Screen Australia and All State and Territory Screen Agencies’ Annual Meet the Funders Sessions.
The meeting concludes with the game show event Redlight Greenlight. There, the audience brainstorms the project live, being reviewed in real time by established buyers as a team of industry experts.
The 23rd SPA Awards will continue on Thursday, May 8th.
Queensland’s Minister of Arts John Paul Langroek said the Gold Coast is an ideal place for Australia’s screen production sector to meet and explore new opportunities.
“The Crisafulli government is proud to be able to help Screen forever to promote economic and employment benefits for the industry,” he said.
“Through Screen Queensland’s incentives and funding, we are supporting local businesses and introducing the state to the world, increasing the possibilities of state production and post-production.”
The program was announced after the SPA announced representatives of the Canadian Connected Co-production market earlier this month.
Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney praised the SPA for offering “a progressive programme that enhances industry resilience and adaptability.”
“The partnership between Queensland’s government and Screen Forever is a key component of the state’s globally connected screen industry and welcomes leaders and producers attendees across the breadth of our sector,” she said.
“Now is the time for insightful dialogue and group learning to navigate the confusion
Opportunities for evolving screen landscapes. ”
Screen Forever will be held on the Gold Coast from May 6th to 8th. For more information about this year’s schedule, click here.
