Canberran Sebastian Chan announced for 2021 Emerging Writers’ Incubator initiative

Canberran writer Sebastian Chan (left) is one of six screenwriting creatives from across Australia to have been selected as inaugural participants in the Emerging Writers’ Incubator, an initiative from SBS in partnership with Screen Australia and state and territory agencies including Screen Canberra, and with the assistance of the Australian Writers’ Guild.

The Emerging Writers’ Incubator is a nationwide program launched earlier this year to bring the industry together to support the ongoing development of underrepresented writing talent telling Australian fiction stories for the screen. The initiative provides significant work experience in drama production in leading Australian production companies for emerging writers from backgrounds and with lived experience currently underrepresented in the sector. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; people who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; those who are Deaf or disabled; are female or trans/gender diverse; identify as LGBTQIA+; and people located in regional and remote areas.

The six successful candidates chosen this year will each be employed for 12 months in one of six award-winning production companies around the country, acclaimed for their delivery of Australian drama. The six host companies for 2021 were selected by SBS and Screen Australia.

The successful emerging writers selected for 2021, and the production companies they are working with, are:

• ACT: Sebastian Chan joins Bunya Productions, supported by Screen Canberra
• SA: Ansuya Nathan joins Closer Productions, supported by the SAFC
• NSW: Lâle Teoman joins Goalpost Pictures, supported by Screen NSW
• QLD: Nicholas Lin joins Ludo Studio, supported by Screen QLD
• VIC: Alberto Di Troia joins Tony Ayres Productions, supported by Film Victoria
• WA: Cassandra Nguyen joins Komixx Entertainment Australia, supported by Screenwest.

Over the next 12 months, they will each gain valuable work experience, further developing their skills, knowledge, and networks, while working across the production companies’ slate of drama productions. They will also be supported by the Australian Writers’ Guild, with access to creative and training workshops, to further develop their skills.

Donna Chang, Commissioning Editor, SBS Scripted, said: “The Emerging Writers’ Incubator is a really special and important initiative which SBS is incredibly proud to be working with our partners in the sector to deliver. There is an extraordinary pool of writing talent across Australia who have uniquely Australian stories to share, and through this program we’re excited to be supporting the development of the next generation of distinctive writing voices and contributing to a more inclusive industry. Thank you to the award-winning production companies who are also joining us in this initiative, and congratulations to all of the candidates who took part in interviews during the competitive selection process, especially the successful writers – we look forward to going on this journey with them.” 

Melissa Lee Speyer, Development Executive, Screen Australia, said: “Screen Australia are dedicated to supporting emerging creatives as they enter the screen sector and we are incredibly proud to support these six writers as they embark on the next stage in their careers. We were blown away with the quality of writing amongst the applications we received and the strength of the national shortlist. It is a testament to the high level of undiscovered talent we have in Australia from our underrepresented communities. Along with SBS, our partners at the state and territory screen agencies and the Australian Writers’ Guild, we are sure the participants will gain invaluable experience working at some of the leading production companies in the country.”

Monica Penders, CEO of Screen Canberra, said: “We are very pleased to be involved in this exciting initiative. For a small jurisdiction like ours it is so vital that we can provide opportunities for our writers to upskill, increase their networks and get those all important credits. And sometimes that means outside of the ACT.”  

Susie Hamilton, Professional Development Manager, Australian Writers’ Guild, said: “It’s been a privilege to work with SBS, Screen Australia and our other state-based partners on this important initiative. The standard of writing talent we have seen through the selection process has been nothing short of extraordinary. We know that the successful writers and the participating production companies are going to reap enormous benefits from this program.”

The six successful writers for 2021 were selected by SBS, Screen Australia and state and territory agencies from a national shortlist from hundreds of applicants.

Co-funded by SBS, Screen Australia with participating state and territory screen agencies, the Emerging Writers’ Incubator will continue in 2022 and 2023, with six successful candidates partnered with production companies around Australia each year. Over three years, the initiative will support the careers of 18 emerging writers, further contributing to diversity in the pool of professional talent in the sector.