Screen NSW is creating pathways to foster connections in the local and international screen sector and raise the profile of a First Nations screen practitioner in NSW through a dedicated Fellowship program.
The First Nations Screen Fellowship, which is now open for applications, provides mid-career to established First Nations key creatives in NSW with strategic professional development and funding support across a 12-month period. Generating outstanding screen content from First Nations screen and digital games practitioners is a commitment in the three-year NSW Screen & Digital Games Strategy, and the Fellowship prioritises opportunities for an experienced First Nations screen practitioner in NSW.
The First Nations Screen Fellowship will provide one successful recipient with $25,000 in funding and support including early project development funding, funding to contribute to membership to a relevant screen industry guild, access to an industry mentor for 12 months, and international travel funding to attend the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival in Austin, Texas (USA). The program is delivered in partnership with SXSW Sydney, who will provide a 2026 SXSW Film & TV Badge and scheduling assistance for attending the 2026 SXSW Film and TV Festival.
This is the second round of the program, with screenwriter and director Jon Bell announced as the inaugural recipient in 2023.
Applications are now open and will close on Friday 5 September at 2pm AEST. For more information, including full guidelines, and to apply please visit this web page.
Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said:
“Screen NSW is dedicated to accelerating and elevating the careers of practitioners from our priority areas, including First Nations, across all levels – from emerging through to establish creatives.
“In the past, Screen NSW has championed trailblazing First Nation’s practitioners, presenting the Sydney UNESCO City of Film Award to filmmakers Warwick Thornton, Leah Purcell and the team at leading production company Blackfella Films. We have also worked to generate opportunities for First Nations creatives in the screen industry and foster inclusion, including launching the Screen NSW Gathering Ground initiative, a targeted industry development and network building program designed to support emerging First Nations storytellers working in screen and digital games in NSW, and supporting programs including the GARUWA First Nations Impact Lab and SHE DIRECTS.
“This Fellowship provides a dynamic range of support from development funding to bring new stories to fruition, to travel support for a leading global event for the screen industry and the opportunity to build vital industry connections through a mentorship. I’d like to thank our partner SXSW Sydney for working with us and ensuring our Fellow can make the most of their time on ground in Austin for the 2026 SXSW Film & TV Festival.
“Through this Fellowship, we will continue to promote the depth of First Nations creative talent we have in our state and make a lasting impact on the screen industry through increased opportunities, connections and support.”
Head of Games & Screen, SXSW Sydney, Luke Lancaster said:
"We are incredibly proud to partner with Screen NSW to support the First Nations Screen Fellowship. It has never been more timely or vital to platform First Nations voices and emerging creatives, and the SXSW Sydney team is honoured to play a role in helping them find a stage both at home and internationally."
Image: Total Control Season 3. Credit Lisa Tomasetti. Supplied by Blackfella Films
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