Media Release: Bus Stop Films Announces Diverse Cohort Inclusive Producers Attachment Program
Thursday, 31 July
Bus Stop Films has announced the successful selection of 19 emerging and established producers for its 2025 Inclusive Producers Attachment Program, following an overwhelming response of 150 applications from across Australia.
The selected cohort includes 13 Inclusive Producers Attachments and 2 Co-Producers who will work alongside Bus Stop’s COO/Head of Screen Dianna La Grassa and a team of four IPA alumni producers Hollie Meyer, Joel Ludemann, Axielle Doddridge and Alisha Mehra, to bring to life a slate of 22 inclusively made short films through Bus Stop’s Accessible Filmmaking Program.
The program has achieved remarkable diversity representation, with 63.2% of successful applicants identifying as female, 26.3% as male and 5.3% as non-binary. Significantly, 36.8% of the cohort are from the Deaf/Disabled/Neurodiverse community, 31.6% from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, 21.1% as LGBTQI+, and 26.3% are from regional areas across Australia.
“I’m incredibly excited to get to know this diverse cohort of producers and to see what unique skills and experiences they will bring to our 2025 film collection. Each year we see a group of amazing and very eager emerging producers, ready to grow their awareness of inclusive filmmaking applying to come on board. I am so thrilled that this year I will also be working alongside many of the previous IPA’s we have supported. Our IPA strategy is unearthing such awesome talent who will work in a suite of roles across our 2025 slate,” said Producer Dianna La Grassa. said Producer Dianna La Grassa.
The program represents an unprecedented demonstration of industry collaboration, with generous support from all eight state screen agencies: Screen NSW, Screen Queensland, VicScreen, Screen Tasmania, Screen Canberra, Screen Territory, Screenwest and South Australian Film Corporation. This united support enables Bus Stop Films to deliver opportunities nationally, in all 16 locations where their Accessible Filmmaking Program operates.
Bus Stop Films CEO Tracey Corbin-Matchett OAM said: “We are truly grateful to all the state screen agencies for this brilliant and united demonstration of support. The calibre and diversity of applications we received shows there is incredible emerging talent ready to embrace inclusive filmmaking practices. This program will deliver strong career development for all involved and build crucial capacity in our sector for skilled producers with deep knowledge of inclusion.”
The 2025 program builds on Bus Stop’s commitment to give back to the sector by supporting emerging talent and inclusive production practices. This year’s expanded structure escalates the professional development of previous IPA participants to produce a selection of films across the slate, demonstrating the program’s success in creating sustainable career pathways.
The cohort will gain professional skills development in inclusive filmmaking by attending Bus Stop’s Inclusion in Action workshop and become part of a network of producers passionate about inclusive filmmaking. The program equips participants with skills in producing films inclusively, supporting people with disabilities on productions and producing content through a lens of inclusion, diversity and accessibility.
Productions will take place in August 2025 across Bus Stop’s class locations including Sydney, Parramatta, Carlton (Southern Sydney), Wollongong, Coffs Harbour, Katoomba, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Darwin, Adelaide,Hobart and Launceston.
The program reflects Bus Stop Films’ ongoing leadership in creating pathways for diverse talent while building industry capacity for inclusive production practices that benefit the entire screen sector.
