Call for Entries: Screenworks Career Pathway Programs

L to R: Clare Sladden, Alexander Doering, Rebecca O’Brien.

Screenworks is calling for applications to its Career Pathway Programs for regional screenwriters, directors and producers.

Each of the Programs are designed to advance the careers of regional practitioners by connecting them with industry professionals and opportunities. Through Screenworks’ existing partnerships with organisations and production companies, the selected participants will be provided with invaluable support and guidance from some of Australia’s most respected writers, directors and producers.

Lisa O’Meara, CEO of Screenworks said, “Screenworks Career Pathway Programs are our flagship programs. We have been supporting regional practitioners through these programs since 2016 and consistently see impressive results. Clare Sladden was selected for Inside the Writers’ Room in 2018 and her credits now include NCIS: Sydney, Eden and Wentworth. Rebecca O’Brien was selected for the Director Pathway Program in 2020 and has gone on to direct numerous episodes of Bump. Alexander Doering was selected for the Regional Producer Elevator program in 2022 and went on to produce the second series of Last King of the Cross.

“We greatly value the support we receive from our industry partners to deliver this program and we look forward to seeing the participants we will bring through to connect with them in 2025.”

Screenworks’ 2025 ‘Regional Producer Elevator’ program will provide two selected regional NSW producers with $3,500 each to support their bespoke career development plans. They will be supported to secure a mentor and provided with introductions to key players in the Australian screen industry as well as to attend Screenworks 2025 Regional To Global forum.

Two regional NSW directors will also each be granted $3,500 to implement their bespoke career plans and will be supported to find mentors and attend Screenworks 2025 Regional to Global.

Finally, three regional NSW screenwriters will be selected to participate in the ‘Inside The Writers’ Room’ program. This will see the participants observe a professional writing team working on a television drama at one of the following production companies; Matchbox, BBC Studios, and Easy Tiger. Screenworks will also engage the Australian Writers Guild to seek mentors who can spend time with each of the three selected screenwriters to advise them on career and project development.

Screenworks acknowledges the support from the following guilds and organisations who help make this program possible; Screen NSW, Screen Producers Australia, Australian Writers’ Guild and the Australian Directors Guild. Each of these will assist in assessing applications and industry introductions, sourcing mentors and providing career advice for the selected participants.

Full details on how to apply, visit:

Deadline for all three programs is 5pm AEDT Friday November 22nd.