AACTA Pitch: Regional Landscapes Returns for 2024

Entries are now open for AACTA Pitch: Regional Landscapes in partnership with Screenworks.

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) in partnership with Screenworks, are delighted to announce the much-anticipated return of AACTA Pitch: Regional Landscapes, celebrating the stories and storytellers from, and inspired by, Australia’s stunning regional areas. This unique initiative not only highlights the diverse narratives, perspectives and talents from the regions but also provides invaluable opportunities for regional filmmakers to connect with industry professionals and advance their feature film script.

Last year’s runners up MOONSHOT, written by Nicholas Clifford and Jules Duncan, and to be produced by Jim Wright and Elise Trenorden of Truce Films, has already seen great progress with script development assistance from VicScreen, and broader interest from local distributors. At the 2024 AACTA Festival, a live reading of Moonshot’s script took place featuring Nathalie Morris (Bump), Chris Alosio (Talk to Me), Christopher James Baker (Boy Swallows Universe), Nathin Butler (Winners and Losers), Jeanette Cronin (Upright), New York Film Academy graduate and teacher Ellie Popov, and Australian Performing Arts Conservatory graduate Daena Lucas.

Nicholas Clifford said of his experience, “As a screenwriter, you spend a lot of time looking at words on a screen, with characters in your head. Through Regional Landscapes we were able to not only refine our pitch and market test it, but to then see a live table read of the screenplay. Working with such talented actors and seeing them bring our characters to life was a rare opportunity that I am grateful for.”

Applicants are asked to submit an original film concept that features regional Australia as a central character and setting to the narrative. Selected finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their projects to a panel of industry judges, with the recipient to receive development funding and support to refine their script and take their concept to market. Teams can consist of up to three creatives, with at least one based in regional Australia.

The recipient of the 2024 AACTA Pitch: Regional Landscapes in partnership with Screenworks initiative will be provided:

• Support to develop their screenplay and industry pitch.
• $5,000 in prize money, consisting of a $1,000 cash prize and $4,000 towards development.
• Supported live script read at the AACTA Festival in February 2025.
• Industry connection opportunities through the Australian Writers’ Guild Pathways program.
• Professional script development sessions.
• Invaluable feedback and ongoing guidance from the esteemed judging panel.
• AACTA, Screenworks and Australian Writers’ Guild annual memberships.
• Two tickets to Screenworks Regional to Global Screen Forum.
• Exclusive one-on-one meetings with up to 2 industry professionals at Screenworks Regional to Global Screen Forum.
• Two tickets to the 2025 AACTA Awards Ceremony including discounted accommodation package.

AACTA Awards and Industry Development Manager Ivan Vukusic said, “With great opportunities to get your script in front of key industry at both the AACTA Festival and Screenworks Regional To Global conference, I’d again encourage screenwriters and their teams to look to Australia’s wonderfully diverse regional areas as inspiration for setting and story. This initiative will help you refine your screenplay and have it brought to life”.

Screenworks CEO, Lisa O’Meara said, “Now in its fifth year, Screenworks' valuable partnership with AACTA has brought impressive outcomes for regional creatives and their stories. While all the shortlisted participants benefit from script and pitch guidance, previous years winners have taken their work through bespoke industry consultations and development. We have seen projects advance, investors commit and a film produced. The AACTA Pitch Panel always draws a big crowd at our annual Regional to Global Screen Forum which will be held in Lennox Head July 31st - August 2^nd.”

For more information about AACTA Pitch: Regional Landscapes, including submission guidelines and key dates, click here.