RECIPIENTS OF THE SCREEN QUEENSLAND TALENT DEVELOPMENT FUND ANNOUNCED
Queensland’s screenwriters have a way with words
From a new TV crime series, to a romantic comedy feature film, some of the state’s finest writing talent have been announced as the latest recipients of the Talent Development Fund.
This opportunity for local screenwriters, with support from the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland (SQ), offers writers up to $15,000 to further develop their film, series or draft screenplay, under the guidance of an experienced script editor or creative mentor.
Ms Tracey Vieira, CEO of SQ, said this is a huge boost for Queensland writers who are developing screenplays.
“The Talent Development Fund was established after consultation with the local screen industry who outlined the need for investing in the development of scripts at an early stage, ” Ms Vieira said.
“We received a record number of applications from local screenwriters, proving how strong the demand and talent is in Queensland’s screen industry” said Ms Vieira.
Seven local writers were successful who are working on a range of genres from a crime series and an erotic psychological thriller, to a romantic comedy and children’s TV series.
Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
Priscilla Cameron (writer) with
Belinda Chakyo (script editor)
Cathexis – TV Series, Erotic Psychological Thriller
Pricilla Cameron, writer of the AACTA Award-winning feature film The Butterfly Tree, is developing Cathexis. This four-episode miniseries is a dark and erotic tale of desire and addiction, exploring the high price of obsession.
Priscilla will be working with experienced Script Editor Belinda Chakyo, whose credits include Safe Harbour (SBS TV) Barracuda (ABC TV) and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (ABC TV).
Photo: Priscilla Cameron
Michael Griffin (writer) with
Charlie Aspinwall (script editor)
Nibling – Children’s TV Series
Nibling follows the before-school adventures of grade-two student Liam and his Uncle Andy.
Michael has edited ABC TV children’s series, Bluey, and was a part of the Emmy and BAFTA-winning team at Hoodlum on projects including Lost and Vikings. Working on the script editing will be Charlie Aspinwall, whose credits include Bluey, The Strange Chores and International Emmy Award-winning, interactive ABC interactive online series #7DaysLater.
Photo: Michael Griffin
Shontell Leah Ketchell (Writer) with
Stephen Davis (Script Editor)
Adorkable – Film, Romantic Comedy
Described as ‘light, punchy, funny and accessible’, Adorkable is a funny and cringingly relatable story, centred around the romantic life of an awkward 29-year-old woman.
Assisting early-career writer from Far North Queensland Shontell Leah Kitchell will be Script Editor Stephen Davis, whose credits include Blurred (2002) and The Reef (2010).
Photo: Shontell Leah Ketchell
Claire Christian (Writer) with
Loani Arman (Script Editor)
Beautiful Mess – Film, teen comedy/drama
Beautiful Mess, a feature film adaptation of Ms Christian’s 2016 Text Prize-winning novel of the same name, is a funny and relevant coming-of-age story of teen friendship, romance, mental health and acceptance.
Claire Christian is a prominent Brisbane-based playwright, director and youth arts facilitator. In 2013 she was selected as one of the YWCA Queensland’s 125 Leading Women. Loani Arman is a co-recipient of the 2019 AACTA Pitch and last year created online series ” The Mother Load”. Amongst her other credits, she did clearances, research and press kit for ” The Family Law”, was a researcher for “Hoges” and was Production Associate on “Wanted”.
Photo: Claire Christian
Dan Pollard (Writer) with
Leigh McGrath (Script Editor)
Lonely Hunter – TV series, Crime Drama
A detective on the brink of quitting, a father searching for his kidnapped daughter and an Irish gangster looking to prove himself are drawn into the orbit of a vigilante group after a violent murder suicide.
Dan Pollard is a media advisor, speech writer and communications consultant with 20 years’ experience. His short film The Streak won third place at the 2015 Gold Coast Film Festival. Script Editor is Leigh McGrath who co-created ABC’s Harrow and whose credits include Netflix Original Tidelands as well as Winners & Losersand Home & Away on the Seven Network.
Photo: Dan Pollard
Tim Marshall and Luke Tierney (writers) with
Andrew Ellard (script editor)
Flat Earthers – TV Series , Dark Comedy
Flat Earthers is described by the creators Tim Marshall and Luke Tierney as a ‘modern day Scooby Doo (for adults) with lovable weirdos’.
Tim Marshall’s 2013 short film Gorilla won the Iris Prize in the UK and his short film Followers was screened in competition at Sundance and Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). Luke Tierney was co-writer of International Emmy Award-winning, interactive ABC series #7DaysLater and was a writer for ABCTV’s children’s series The Strange Chores. The Script Editor is Andrew Ellard, whose credits include Hit UK series The IT Crowd and Red Dwarf.
Photos L-R: Tim Marshall, Luke Tierney
For media enquiries, contact:
Bronwyn Fardon bfardon@screenqld.com.au
+614 7 3248 0535 +61 414 327 576
