Key dates:
Participants notified – Monday 28 September
Pitch day – Tuesday 6 October
Applications close: Tuesday 18 August, 11:59pm
To celebrate the launch of Netflix’s new series My Brilliant Career, Screen Queensland is partnering with Netflix, the Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG) and other state and territory screen agencies to deliver The Next Brilliant Career—a national development program supporting emerging Australian writers and advancing diversity across the screen industry.
The program is open to emerging writers across Australia who identify as women or non-binary. Applicants are invited to submit an original story concept for the opportunity to pitch directly to Netflix and receive structured industry feedback to help develop their story for the screen.
One writer will be selected from each participating state and territory to attend a pitch day with Netflix executives in Sydney. Selected participants will present their story and receive in-room feedback, with the opportunity to refine their concept and receive further written feedback afterwards.
Travel and accommodation to attend the pitch day will be arranged for participants travelling from outside Sydney.
Learn more about the program here.
FAQs
What counts as a ‘reportable writer credit’?
A writer credit on a commercially released short film, film or television series longer than 10 minutes that has either screened at a recognised film festival or been supported by a state or federal screen agency. You must have between one and three such credits to be eligible. Those with no credits or more than three are not eligible to apply.
Can I submit more than one application?
No. One application is permitted per person, and group applications aren’t accepted.
Who owns the rights to my story?
You do. All intellectual property in your submitted work stays with you at all times. Taking part in the program, including being selected as a participant, doesn’t transfer any rights in your work to Netflix, the AWG or any screen agency. Netflix and its partners only have a non-exclusive right to copy, use and distribute your application for the purpose of administering and assessing the program.
Will I receive correspondence or feedback if I’m not selected?
Given the expected volume of applications, individual correspondence and/or feedback isn’t provided to unsuccessful applicants. If you do not hear from us, you have not progressed in the program.
How is my personal information used?
Netflix and its partners collect and use your personal information to administer and assess the program. Netflix may also use your details to contact you about future projects and opportunities. If you do not want to be contacted for any future projects and opportunities, please opt-out by emailing Netflix using the email address below. Netflix handles all personal information in accordance with its privacy statement, which is available at help.netflix.com/legal/talentinterestprivacy.
GUIDELINES
WHO CAN APPLY?
Applicants must be
- 18 years of age or older
- an Australian resident
- identify as a woman or non-binary
- hold between one and three reportable writer credits on a commercially released short film, film or television series that has screened at a recognised film festival and/or been supported by a state or federal screen agency.
- not be a full-time student.
Full eligibility criteria and application requirements are available on the application portal.
WHAT DO I NEED TO APPLY?
Applicants will need to supply:
- a professional biography (up to 150 words) covering your experience, aspirations and screen industry credits
- a working title for your story
- a logline (up to 30 words)
- a description of your intended audience, including where you see the project sitting within the current Australian screen landscape (one paragraph, up to 200 words)
- the genre of your story
- an explanation of the cultural relevance of your story, and your personal connection to it
- a short explanation of how the project advances diversity through either talent, themes or narrative. (30 words)
- a one-page synopsis of the narrative
- a screenwriting sample (five pages in total).
HOW WILL MY APPLICATION BE ASSESSED?
For Queensland residents, Screen Queensland will process all applications and check against the program’s eligibility requirements. All eligible applications are then reviewed by an independent assessor panel appointed by the AWG, which shortlists up to five applications per state and territory. Netflix reviews each shortlist and selects one participant per state or territory (eight in total) for the program.
The assessor panel and Netflix will assess applications against a consistent set of criteria:
- a clear and distinct writing voice
- a compelling central premise
- potential for the story to sustain a series or feature format
- understanding of the chosen genre
- an authentically Australian sensibility in tone, character or setting
- a clearly identified intended audience
- awareness of where the project sits in the current screen marketplace
- how the project advances diversity, whether through on-screen representation, themes, narrative or key creatives.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM SELECTED?
If selected, you will be contacted by a Netflix representative on Monday 28 September and invited to a pitch day with Netflix executives in Sydney on Tuesday 6 October, where you will present their story directly and receive in-room feedback. In advance of the pitch day, you will also be asked to provide a high-resolution headshot. Netflix will announce all eight participants nationally and regionally. Depending on where you live, Netflix will arrange return economy flights or train travel and up to two nights’ accommodation. After the pitch day, you can refine their concept and resubmit it by Friday 6 November, and Netflix will provide final written feedback by Tuesday 1 December.
By submitting your application, you consent to Netflix and its partners publishing your full name and headshot as part of the announcement(s). For the avoidance of doubt, being selected doesn’t guarantee that Netflix or its partners will develop your story or provide funding or ongoing support.
HOW CAN I APPLY?
Visit the application portal above to read the full program Terms and Conditions and submit your entry. One application is permitted per person, and applications from Queensland residents must be submitted via Screen Queensland’s portal to be considered.
Full program Terms and Conditions can be downloaded here.
Image: Production still from My Brilliant Career, courtesy of Netflix.
