The Screen Makers Conference and Marketplace has announced the opening speaker and full program line-up for the two-day conference, which attracts emerging and regional delegates from across Australia, seeking to build their screen careers. The always sell-out conference will be held on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 July at Adelaide’s iconic Mercury Cinema.

In 2018 with a key focus on the breadth of television opportunities across Australia, the opening address will be by Every Cloud Productions’ Fiona Eagger, producer of some of Australia’s most beloved and iconic television drama series including Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Newton’s Law and Deadlock.

The packed program’s stand-out sessions include:

Webseries, a pathway for emerging and diverse talent. All the big questions on how to succeed in the format increasingly launching and re-positioning screen careers. Speakers include the award winning Michelle Law (co-writer and star of SBS On Demand’s first commissioned web-series, Homecoming Queens), Peter Ninos (MWF nominee, The Big Nothing), Enzo Tedeschi (Event Zero) and Kelli Cross (Aussie Rangers, iview).

The Australian Directors’ Guild presents: ‘From F*!#king Adelaide to Hollywood’, featuring directors Scott Hicks (Shine, Snow Falling on Cedars, Hearts in Atlantis) and Sophie Hyde (Animals, F*!#king Adelaide, 52 Tuesdays), who will share their insights, experiences and provide useful tips for aspiring screen directors.

 Casting for Diversity: casting agent Kirsty McGregor (Pacific Rim: Uprising, Top End Wedding, Lion) and actor Natasha Wanganeen (Cargo, Redfern Now, Rabbit Proof Fence) explore what diversity looks like on our screens. Is it simply about casting, or does it go deeper than this?  Our panel members share their experiences and perspectives from behind and in front of the camera.

In addition, there is a range of roundtables, along with an exclusive opportunity for delegates to compete in the $10,000 Pitch-o-rama ABC iview / MRC development pitching competition.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS EXTENDED UNTIL FRIDAY 29 JUNE:

www.screenmakersconference.com.au

VIEW FULL CONFERENCE PROGRAM:

www.screenmakersconference.com.au/programme/

PITCHING MARKETPLACE SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN – DEADLINE FRIDAY 29 JUNE:

www.screenmakersconference.com.au/pitching/

Photo: Sophie Hyde Supplied