How to Participate

Development Lab Application: Apply for the Development Lab and attend all four Masterclasses as part of the process. ($25 USD Total)

The Program

The program runs online from July to December 2026, providing practical creative pathways and fostering exciting collaborations for a new generation of Australian filmmakers.

Phase One: Masterclass Series

The program begins with a series of open-access online Masterclasses available to all eligible applicants. This year’s theme is Creative Collaboration.

In each session, attendees will hear from a different Australian writer, director, or actor who has achieved breakthrough success with their original work. These visionary creators and their collaborators will offer in-depth discussions on the creative partnerships and relationships that help bring groundbreaking screen stories to life.

Please note: this year, Masterclasses will take place weekly (not monthly as in previous years). See the timeline below for dates.

Eligibility for the Development Lab is contingent upon attendance of all four Masterclasses.

Phase Two: Development Lab

Following the Masterclasses, five to six writers, writer/directors, or writer/director teams will be selected for the UNTAPPED Development Lab, a virtual two-month intensive mentorship program running from September to December 2026.

Unlike previous years, the 2026 Development Lab is creator-focused rather than project-specific. Rather than developing a single project, participants will work to identify their strongest creative ideas, develop their voice and vision, and build the skills and strategy needed to take their careers to the next level.

Each participant or team will receive a stipend of AUD $2,000.

Over the course of the Lab, participants will:

• Work with AiF, industry consultants, and peers in group sessions to review their project ideas and receive feedback
• Be paired with a mentor, meeting one-on-one three times over the course of the program via Zoom
• Be partnered with an UNTAPPED alum to receive peer support and insight from someone who has been through the program
• Participate in virtual roundtable sessions with a range of industry professionals, covering topics including pitching, story development, and navigating the film and television industry
• Work with a pitching coach to develop and refine their presentation skills in preparation for a final Industry Showcase, where they will introduce themselves and share one of their project ideas to an online audience of industry professionals

UNTAPPED 2026 Timeline

• June 22, 2026 - 4:00pm PDT | June 23, 2026 - 9:00am AEST: Applications and registrations open
• July 13, 2026 - 5:00pm PDT | July 14, 2026 - 10:00am AEST: Application deadline
• July 21, 2026 - 5:00pm PDT | July 22, 2026 - 10:00am AEST: Masterclass 1
• July 28, 2026 - 5:00pm PDT | July 29, 2026 - 10:00am AEST: Masterclass 2
• August 4, 2026 - 5:00pm PDT | August 5, 2026 - 10:00am AEST: Masterclass 3
• August 11, 2026 - 5:00pm PDT | August 12, 2026 - 10:00am AEST: Masterclass 4
• September 2026 - All applicants notified of their status
• September 2026 - Selected Development Lab participants announced
• Late September - December 2026 - UNTAPPED Development Lab

Application Requirements

For consideration in the UNTAPPED Development Lab, applicants must submit an online application including a logline and short paragraph (up to 150 words) for up to five project ideas (features or series), a statement of interest including personal career goals and what they hope to gain from the program, an applicant biography, and a prior work sample. The program is for scripted feature and series projects only, not documentary.

There is a one-time application fee of $25 USD to cover some of the expenses incurred from eligibility checks and assessment of applications, and attendance of the four Masterclasses.

If you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to request a fee waiver, please send an email with an explanation of your hardship to untapped@australiansinfilm.org.

Program Eligibility

UNTAPPED is a program for emerging Australian writers and/or directors who have not yet received significant recognition and opportunity in their artistic career.

Priority will be given to applicants who have not received prior funding from Screen Australia or state agencies.

Applicants must be a writer and/or director. They may apply as an individual or with a co-applicant who is also a writer and/or director. Co-applicants must also be a writer and/or director.

Applicants will only be considered if they meet the following eligibility requirements and Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade. If you are submitting as a team, the following must be true for the co-applicant as well:

• You have not previously participated in any of the following Australians in Film or Screen Australia Programs: Gateway LA, Global Producers Exchange, Mentor LA, Talent Gateway, Talent USA: LA
• You are 18 years of age or older
• You are a permanent resident or citizen of Australia
• You are not enrolled full-time or part-time in a film, television or interactive digital media course at a film school or other tertiary educational institution
• You are not an employee of a broadcaster or commissioning platform (e.g. an SVOD service)
• You are not acting in the capacity of a trustee of a trust

Selection Criteria

Candidates are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Uniqueness, creative potential, and range of submitted project ideas
• Specificity of stated goals and creative vision in the statement of interest
• Demonstrated talent in project materials and work sample

For questions about the application or eligibility, please contact untapped@australiansinfilm.org.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

• Australians in Film (AiF), in partnership with Screen Australia, proudly presents FUTURE VISION Forward, an eight-month online television project development lab designed to support ambitious Australian television creators and accelerate the development of globally competitive original intellectual property (IP).
• The program provides a structured pathway from early-stage development through a market-ready pitch, supporting a curated cohort of original television series with strong international potential.
• Through a combination of:                                                  
  • craft-focused workshops, 
  • leadership and professional development training, 
  • mentorship opportunities, and 
  • direct industry engagement,  

      

• Participants will strengthen both their creative projects and their capacity to lead strategically within the evolving global television marketplace.
• The lab integrates international best practices with the Australian television model, offering participants insight into international development principles. Participants will engage with leading creators, writers, producers, and executives from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• FUTURE VISION Forward aims to:                                                  
  • Develop globally competitive Australian television IP 
  • Strengthen Australia’s television development ecosystem 
  • Support sustainable creative leadership pathways 
  • Foster collaboration between writers, producers, and development executives 
  • Increase international market readiness for Australian projects 
  • Encourage authentic, inclusive, and culturally relevant storytelling 
  • Build industry capability through mentorship and international engagement 

      

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

• The eight-month online lab will include:                                        

1. Development workshops and masterclasses 
2. One-on-one mentorship sessions 
3. Industry and marketplace discussions 
4. Peer collaboration opportunities 
5. Strategic project development exercises 
6. Leadership and professional skills training 
7. Pitch preparation and market-readiness development 

• Participants are expected to actively engage throughout the duration of the program and contribute to a collaborative and professional cohort environment.
• Producers/Development Executives will be involved in all sessions alongside their writers to help cultivate a successful and collaborative development process.         

INCLUSIVE STORYTELLING PRINCIPLES

• Australians in Film and Screen Australia are committed to ensuring Australian screen stories reflect the full diversity of contemporary Australia. Applicants from all backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences are encouraged to apply. Particular encouragement is extended to applicants who identify as:                                                  
  • First Nations 
  • d/Deaf and disabled 
  • culturally and linguistically diverse 
  • LGBTQIA+ 
  • regionally based members of other underrepresented communities  
  • Projects that portray diverse perspectives should demonstrate authentic cultural authorship and appropriate representation within the key creative team. Assessment will consider whether the team possesses the lived experience and cultural understanding necessary to tell the story authentically and responsibly.

      

• The program supports the principle that inclusive storytelling strengthens both the cultural relevance and international competitiveness of Australian screen content.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for FUTURE VISION Forward, applicants must:

General Eligibility

• Be Australian citizens or permanent residents 
• Apply as a creative team consisting of:                                                   
  • a Writer; and 
  • a Producer and/or Development Executive; or 

      

• Apply as a Writer*

*Priority will be given to projects applying with a Producer/Development Executive attached

Writer Eligibility

Within the past five (5) years, the Writer must have:                              

• sold a television series; or 
• worked on a television series; or 
• had a feature film produced  

Producer / Development Executive Eligibility

Within the past five (5) years, the Producer or Development Executive must have:                              

• produced or sold a television series* 

* Preference will be given to those who have produced full-length series; however, those with a substantial track record of digital content success will also be considered.

Project Eligibility

• Projects must be television concepts with strong international potential. 
• The creative team must own or legally control any underlying IP rights to avoid legal disputes over ownership.
• Preference will be given to applicants that are not linked by common management, ownership or control with any parent company with offices outside of Australia. 

INELIGIBLE APPLICATIONS

• Applications will not be considered if:                                                  
  • The project is currently in development with a commissioner or sold to a third party; or 
  • The required supporting materials are incomplete or missing. 

      

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

Applicants must submit the following:

Creative Team Materials

• CV for both the Writer and (if applicable) Producer/Development Executive, including relevant credits                                                   
  • commercial success 
  • significant audience reach, and/or 
  • major festival/award recognition 

      

Statements

• Statement of Interest from both the Writer and Producer/Development Executive 

Supporting Creative Materials

• Writing sample (Writer) 
• Link to previously produced work (Producer/Development Executive) 

Project Materials

• One of the following:                                                  
  • Original pilot script; or 
  • 5–15 page outline, treatment, or pitch document 

      

*Please note: Pitch decks and visual presentations will not be accepted.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS

• Complete and eligible applications will be reviewed by:                                                  
  • Australians in Film staff; and 
  • a Selection Committee comprising leading Australian and international industry executives who will read projects blind. 

      

• Applications may undergo multiple stages of review and assessment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. Strength of the Project

• Originality and quality of the pilot concept 
• International market potential 
• Creative ambition and audience appeal 

2. Previous Experience

• Quality of the writer’s previous work and writing sample 
• Professional achievements and experience of the producer/development executive, if applicable
• Capacity of the team to execute and develop the project 

3. Commitment and Readiness

• Demonstrated willingness to engage rigorously with the program 
• Openness to collaboration, feedback, and creative development 
• Capacity to contribute positively to the cohort environment 

4. Strength of Creative Team

• Priority will be given to projects with both a Writer and Producer/Development Executive attached. We will consider Writer applicants on a case-by-case basis and attempt to match them with a Producer/Development Executive for the program. Writers may include the names of Australian producers with whom they have a relationship or who might be a good match for their project.

FUTURE VISION Forward is designed as an intensive professional development experience. Successful applicants should be prepared to work rigorously, think strategically, and push creatively beyond their comfort zones.

PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS

• Participants accepted into the program will be expected to:                                                  
  • Attend scheduled online sessions and workshops 
  • Engage professionally with mentors, facilitators, and fellow participants 
  • Meet all deadlines and deliverables 
  • Participate constructively in feedback and discussion sessions 
  • Maintain confidentiality regarding shared materials and industry discussions 
  • Uphold inclusive and respectful professional conduct throughout the program 

      

CONFIDENTIALITY & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

• All submitted materials remain the intellectual property of the applicants.
• Applicants acknowledge that:                                                  
  • materials may be reviewed by AiF staff and Selection Committee members for assessment purposes only; 
  • confidential project information should be clearly identified where necessary; and 
  • participation in the program does not transfer ownership of project rights. 

      

DECISION & NOTIFICATION

• Submission Deadline Monday, August 3rd at 11:59pm PT // Tuesday, August 4th at 4:59pm AEST.
• Final outcomes for shortlisted applicants will be communicated in writing the week of September 21st.
• Due to the anticipated volume of applications, Australians in Film and Screen Australia are unable to provide individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Applications Open: Monday, July 13th at 5:00 p.m. PT // Tuesday, July 14th at 10:00 a.m. AEST  

Applications Close: Tuesday, July 21st at 5:00 p.m. PT // Wednesday, July 22nd at 10:00 a.m. AEST 

Capacity: Only 100 submissions accepted—first in, best dressed!

Masterclass #1: Jean-Louis Rordigue - Wednesday, July 23rd at 5:00 p.m. PT (in the U.S.) / Thursday, July 24th at 10:00 a.m. AEST (in Australia)

Masterclass #2: Kellie Roy - Wednesday, August 19th at 5:00 p.m. PT (in the U.S.) / Thursday, August 20th at 10:00 a.m. AEST (in Australia)

Announcement of the Winner: Wednesday, August 19th PT // Thursday, August 20th AEST

Eligibility:

• Must be an Australian citizen over 18 at the time of application
• Can have Australian representation
• Must NOT already have U.S. representation
• Cannot have been a lead or series regular in a U.S. production

Australians in Film is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Australian screen talent at every stage of their careers. Proceeds from this and all AiF programs are fully reinvested into the development and delivery of our initiatives, including education, mentorship, and industry access—creating meaningful pathways for Australian creatives to build sustainable international careers.