Meet The Creators @ AFTRS & ACMI, a new series of free screen industry talks and networking kicks off next week with a celebration of Australian creatives for International Women’s Day.
Meet The Creators, a partnership between AFTRS, ACMI, Film Victoria and Media Mentors Australia, will feature top screen and broadcast practitioners working across all genres and platforms – in a curated and co-ordinated program originating from both Melbourne and Sydney.
The twice-monthly panels of the industry’s brightest and most successful practitioners will share their secrets at the regular events which will be live-streamed nationally (and internationally) via the AFTRS and ACMI YouTube channels. They’ll be recorded at the AFTRS and ACMI X buildings in front of small, COVIDSafe live audiences.
The first event at AFTRS, on Tuesday 9th March 2021, for International Women’s Day, will feature writer/director Corrie Chen, factual executive producer Debbie Cuell, director/writer/actor Leah Purcell, documentary producer Laurie Critchley and producer/writer Samantha Strauss discussing their recent projects and sharing insights into their exceptional careers with legend-in-her-own-right, AFTRS alumna Anita Jacoby AM.
AFTRS CEO, Nell Greenwood, said: “AFTRS is so excited to be working with ACMI, Media Mentors and Film Victoria on this celebration of Australian talent. As the national screen and broadcast school, we are passionate about supporting industry with these kinds of talks and knowledge summits, bringing together top-tier practitioners to share their insider insights.”
The first Melbourne event at ACMI X on Tuesday 23 March, titled Everyone’s A Winner, also celebrates success in our industries. It will be moderated by Media Mentors Australia’s Denise Eriksen and feature Stateless, Clickbait and Fire showrunner, AFTRS alumnus Tony Ayres, MasterChef EP Marty Benson, Freeman producer/director Laurence Billiet, and Why Are You Like This writer/actor Naomi Higgins.
Media Mentors’ Denise Eriksen said: “There’s nothing we love more than seeing people inspired by their peers, talking to each other and swapping ideas and expertise, while celebrating success. So, we’re delighted to be involved in Meet The Creators. We’ll be showcasing Victoria’s best – while making sure we also attract the best brains in our creative world, wherever they may be based. Can’t wait to see you all soon – wherever and however COVID lets us meet up!”
The program will be presented at ACMI X – the creative industry co-working space that is part of Australia’s national museum of film, TV, video games, digital content and art. ACMI X is located on Level 4 at the Australian Ballet Centre on Kavanagh St, Southbank.
ACMI CEO & Director Katrina Sedgwick OAM said: “We are delighted to be working with AFTRS, Media Mentors and Film Victoria to host this series of industry conversations and gatherings at our co-working space ACMI X. ACMI is Australia’s national museum of screen culture and we are eager to support screen creatives to come together and share their stories and experience, especially after such a difficult year for our industry.”
Film Victoria CEO Caroline Pitcher said: “We’re proud to support this insightful conversation series by the screen industry for the screen industry, in partnership with AFTRS, ACMI and Media Mentors. With such a high calibre of successful industry leaders, Meet the Creators is a not-to-be-missed program for Australian creatives at all stages of their careers who want to make connections and be inspired.”
Meet the creators will stream live on the AFTRS and ACMI YouTube channels.
Get more information on the events and register for the mailing list here.
Studio audience numbers will be limited due to COVID restrictions.
