In a joint program, Screen Queensland and Screen Producers Australia are delighted to announce an important expansion of Ones To Watch 2016.  Following a series of successful collaborations, Screen Queensland and Screen Producers Australia will create a separate Ones To Watch initiative to include selected Queensland-based Indigenous producers.

Now in its fourth year, the Ones To Watch program and its associated partnerships aims to guide and nurture the next wave of Australia’s talented producers. The program focuses on providing a comprehensive program of expert, one-on-one mentoring and career guidance from leading, experienced screen industry producers.

The three indigenous producers in this inaugural intake are Dena Curtis, Kaylene Butler and Jimi Bani.

‘We consider mentoring of emerging producers by the industry as a key to growing the creative talent in this country,’ said Matthew Deaner, CEO, Screen Producers Australia.

‘This new initiative spearheaded by Screen Queensland to nurture and encourage our emerging Indigenous producers is equally important in providing real opportunities for career development and further business opportunities.’

Deaner added ‘Our collaboration with Screen Queensland is ongoing and the extension of Ones To Watch 2016 to include selected Indigenous producers is a further expansion of joint professional development initiatives in the state of Queensland.  We look forward to this ongoing partnership in helping to grow our industry for the future.’

‘We are excited about our new Ones To Watch initiative and working with SPA to nurture and grow local talent from Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community,’ said Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira. ‘And we congratulate the inaugural early career producers – Dena Curtis, Kaylene Butler and Jimi Bani.

‘Ones to Watch follows on from Screen Queensland’s recently launched SQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy 2016-19 that outlines our commitment to local Indigenous practitioners and ensuring they are an important focus in SQ’s funding decisions. It complements our ongoing work to support local talent in a collaborative and supportive environment and create new opportunities and innovative ways for our practitioners to tell their stories.

‘We aim to continue to invest in local talent, project development, production and businesses in order to grow a stronger and richer industry base with long-lasting economic and cultural significance for all Australians.’

The 2016 Ones To Watch program also provides the existing nineteen participants and the three selected Indigenous producers from Queensland, with additional workshops, real-world development and pitching opportunities and industry networking introductions in the lead-up to the Australian screen industry conference SCREEN FOREVER taking place in Melbourne later this year, 15-17 November 2016.

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Media enquiries:
Miranda Brown – Miranda Brown Publicity | ph: 03 9419 0931 mob: 0411 568 781 | miranda@mbpublicity.com.au
Madeleine Rice – Miranda Brown Publicity | ph: 03 9419 0931 mob: 0411 806 304 | madeleine@mbpublicity.com.au

SQ enquiries:
Screen Queensland – 07 3248 0500 | screenqld@screenqld.com.au