Screen Queensland (SQ) and the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) will support Queensland-based screenwriters to develop original drama/factual podcast series exclusively for audiences listening on global platforms such as iTunes Podcasts.

In the first phase of this new initiative, up to five podcast series ideas (maximum total of 15 writers) will be selected for development in an exclusive all-day workshop with acclaimed audio storyteller Brian Reed, on Friday 28 July 2017 from 9am-5pm.

Brian Reed is the host and co-creator of the ground-breaking podcast series S-Town, a production by Serial and This American Life. The chart-topping S-Town was downloaded a record-breaking 16 million times in the first week of its 2017 release. Reed spent more than three years reporting and writing for S-Town, which began when listener John B. McLemore asked Reed to investigate an alleged murder in his small Alabama town. The series has won widespread popular and critical acclaim and is praised for elevating audio storytelling into the realm of great literature.

Podcasts are an intimate and direct way to bring stories to audiences. They present screenwriters with a valuable opportunity to be experimental, risky, ambitious and, importantly, to rapidly build storytelling experience and credits.

This initiative is targeted at Queensland-based screenwriters and writing teams who are keen to explore new avenues to build their writing credits and who have a great idea for a narrative or factual podcast series. It is best suited to screenwriters who do not yet have broadcast or feature film credits.

Applications closed on 7 July 2017.