+SCREEN STORIES SYMPOSIUM ANNOUNCED BY SCREEN CANBERRA

Screen Canberra, the University of Technology Sydney, Screen NSW and the Australian Directors’ Guild with support from the ACT Government’s Office of LGBTIQA+ Affairs have announced +SCREEN STORIES – a multifaceted one-day conference for screen storytellers telling LGBTIQA+ stories. 

This first of its kind all day program, produced by Rosie Lourde, will have a hybrid delivery on Thursday 7^th November 2024 in Canberra at the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA), and will also be live-streamed.

Panels and masterclasses will cater to all story-tellers. Leading directors, writers, producers, editors and intimacy co-ordinators across scripted and unscripted content as well as game-makers will delve into topics such as the importance of meaningful collaboration, the pitfalls of stereotypes, the ethics of editing, how to handle queer intimacy, opportunities online and how to build an activated audience. Guests include Ben Law (THE FAMILY LAW, WELLMANIA), Julie Kalceff (DANIELLE LAIDLEY: TWO TRIBES, FIRST DAY), Michael Lucas (THE NEWSREADER, FIVE BEDROOMS), Monica Zanetti (ELLIE AND ABBIE, WHILE THE MEN ARE AWAY), Dena Curtis (FIRST WEAPONS, FIREBITE), Bjorn Stewart (GOLD DIGGERS, ALL MY FRIENDS ARE RACIST), Hannah Ngo (LATE COMERS, SURVIVING SUMMER), Alistair Baldwin (EROTIC STORIES, LATECOMERS), Elliott Magen (MAKE IT LOOK REAL, THE AUSTRALIAN WARS), AP Pobjoy (UNERASED, WHY DID SHE HAVE TO TELL THE WORLD), and Hannah Carroll Chapman (HEARTBREAK HIGH, THE HEIGHTS) as well as Zaina Ahmed (Development Executive, Scripted, SBS) and screen agency representatives Bobby Romia (Head of Development, Screen Australia), Phoebe Willem (Investment Manager, Online and Games, Screen Australia), Daniel Krige (Investment Manager, Screen NSW), Kyas Hepworth (Head of Screen NSW), and Holly Trueman (CEO, Screen Canberra).

The conference will end with a party in the NFSA courtyard with drag performances by Venus Mantraps and Mister Butch.

As previously announced, eligible screen storytellers are invited to apply for a 3-month mentorship and support program. This is available to:

• 10 ACT based screen practitioners from the LGBTIQA+ community from across disciplines

• 3 NSW based screen practitioners from the LGBTIQA+ community from across disciplines
• 2 emerging directors from the LGBTIQA+ community from across Australia.

With mentors including many of the speakers announced above as well as director Fadia Abboud, producer Mitchell Stanley, DOP Erika Addis, and editor Deb Peart. 

+SCREEN STORIES Producer, Rosie Lourde says: “I’m honoured to help bring together some of Australia’s leading queer storytellers to unpack the many joys and complexities of telling our stories on screen. These creatives have helped pave the way for so many more expansive and intersectional queer stories to be told.”

Screen Canberra CEO Holly Trueman says: “What better place than Canberra to have these leading conversations around LGBTIQA+ story telling. These are stories that every storyteller in the screen and games industry should hear – I’m excited for the whole industry to listen” 

Head of Screen NSW, Kyas Hepworth says: “Screen NSW is thrilled to support +SCREEN STORIES and partner with Screen Canberra, UTS and ADG to help empower LGBTIQA+ practitioners in the screen industry. By coming together to connect and collaborate with a focus on LGBTIQA+ stories, there will be long-lasting and positive focus on authentic storytelling felt throughout the wider industry.”

ADG Executive Director Sophie Harper says: “It is wonderful to have the ADG working together with Screen Canberra, UTS and Screen NSW to lead the conversation on LGBTIQA+ stories. This conference isn’t just about sharing expertise; it’s about empowering authentic voices that reflect the diversity of our communities. Given the directors central role in screen authorship, it’s exciting and important to have some of our very talented Australian directors central in these conversations.”

All information can be found on the Screen Canberra website screencanberra.com.au/initiatives/screen-stories-symposium/

Symposium and party tickets 7^th November

Tickets for the symposium are party are available to everyone interested in attending.

Tickets for the symposium (including the party) can be found on the NFSA website tickets.nfsa.gov.au/Events/-Screen-Stories-Symposium Full price tickets are $50, concession and community tickets are $35, all First Nations tickets are free and Live-stream tickets are $25.

Workshop 8th November (by application):

Applications for the upskilling workshop and mentorship program are currently open and close at midnight on 20^th October, 2024 AEST. To apply, please visit:

screencanberra.com.au/initiatives/screen-stories-mentorship-program/