GUIDELINES

The program provides a structured pathway from early-stage development through a market-ready pitch, supporting a curated cohort of original television series with strong international potential.

  • Through a combination of:

    • craft-focused workshops, 

    • leadership and professional development training, 

    • mentorship opportunities, and 

    • direct industry engagement, 

  • Participants will strengthen both their creative projects and their capacity to lead strategically within the evolving global television marketplace.

  • The lab integrates international best practices with the Australian television model, offering participants insight into international development principles. Participants will engage with leading creators, writers, producers, and executives from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

  • FUTURE VISION Forward aims to:

    • Develop globally competitive Australian television IP 

    • Strengthen Australia’s television development ecosystem 

    • Support sustainable creative leadership pathways 

    • Foster collaboration between writers, producers, and development executives 

    • Increase international market readiness for Australian projects 

    • Encourage authentic, inclusive, and culturally relevant storytelling 

    • Build industry capability through mentorship and international engagement 

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

  • The eight-month online lab will include:

    • Development workshops and masterclasses 

    • One-on-one mentorship sessions 

    • Industry and marketplace discussions 

    • Peer collaboration opportunities 

    • Strategic project development exercises 

    • Leadership and professional skills training 

    • Pitch preparation and market-readiness development 

  • Participants are expected to actively engage throughout the duration of the program and contribute to a collaborative and professional cohort environment.

  • Producers/Development Executives will be involved in all sessions alongside their writers to help cultivate a successful and collaborative development process.

  • Each creative team will receive a $10,000 AUD stipend.

INCLUSIVE STORYTELLING PRINCIPLES

  • Australians in Film and Screen Australia are committed to ensuring Australian screen stories reflect the full diversity of contemporary Australia. Applicants from all backgrounds, cultures, and lived experiences are encouraged to apply. Particular encouragement is extended to applicants who identify as:

    • First Nations 

    • d/Deaf and disabled 

    • culturally and linguistically diverse 

    • LGBTQIA+ 

    • regionally based 

    • members of other underrepresented communities 

  • Projects that portray diverse perspectives should demonstrate authentic cultural authorship and appropriate representation within the key creative team. Assessment will consider whether the team possesses the lived experience and cultural understanding necessary to tell the story authentically and responsibly.

  • The program supports the principle that inclusive storytelling strengthens both the cultural relevance and international competitiveness of Australian screen content.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for FUTURE VISION Forward, applicants must:

General Eligibility

  • Be Australian citizens or permanent residents 

  • Apply as a creative team consisting of: 

    • a Writer; and 

    • a Producer and/or Development Executive; or

  • Apply as a Writer*

*Priority will be given to projects applying with a Producer/Development Executive attached

Writer Eligibility

  • Within the past five (5) years, the Writer must have:

    • sold a television series; or 

    • worked on a television series; or 

    • had a feature film produced 

Producer / Development Executive Eligibility

  • Within the past five (5) years, the Producer or Development Executive must have:

    • produced or sold a television series* 

* Preference will be given to those who have produced full-length series; however, those with a substantial track record of digital content success will also be considered.

Project Eligibility

  • Projects must be television concepts with strong international potential. 

  • The creative team must own or legally control any underlying IP rights to avoid legal disputes over ownership.

  • Preference will be given to applicants who are not linked by common management, ownership or control with any parent company with offices outside of Australia.

INELIGIBLE APPLICATIONS

  • Applications will not be considered if:

    • the project is currently in development with a commissioner or sold to a third party; or 

    • the required supporting materials are incomplete or missing.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS

  • Applicants must submit the following:

Creative Team Materials

  • CV for both the Writer and (if applicable) Producer/Development Executive, including relevant credits 

    • commercial success 

    • significant audience reach, and/or 

    • major festival/award recognition

Statements

  • Statement of Interest from both the Writer and Producer/Development Executive 

Supporting Creative Materials

  • Writing sample (Writer) 

  • Link to previously produced work (Producer/Development Executive) 

Project Materials

  • One of the following:

    • Original pilot script; or 

    • 5–15 page outline, treatment, or pitch document 

  • Please note: Pitch decks and visual presentations will not be accepted.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS

  • Complete and eligible applications will be reviewed by:

    • Australians in Film staff; and 

    • a Selection Committee comprising leading Australian and international industry executives who will read projects blind.

  • Applications may undergo multiple stages of review and assessment.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

  • Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

1. Strength of the Project

  • Originality and quality of the pilot concept 

  • International market potential 

  • Creative ambition and audience appeal 

2. Previous Experience

  • Quality of the writer’s previous work and writing sample 

  • Professional achievements and experience of the producer/development executive, if applicable

  • Capacity of the team to execute and develop the project 

3. Commitment and Readiness

  • Demonstrated willingness to engage rigorously with the program 

  • Openness to collaboration, feedback, and creative development 

  • Capacity to contribute positively to the cohort environment 

4. Strength of Creative Team

  • Priority will be given to projects with both a Writer and Producer/Development Executive attached. We will consider Writer applicants on a case-by-case basis and attempt to match them with a Producer/Development Executive for the program. Writers may include the names of Australian producers with whom they have a relationship or who might be a good match for their project.

FUTURE VISION Forward is designed as an intensive professional development experience. Successful applicants should be prepared to work rigorously, think strategically, and push creatively beyond their comfort zones.

PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS

  • Participants accepted into the program will be expected to:

    • Attend scheduled online sessions and workshops 

    • Engage professionally with mentors, facilitators, and fellow participants 

    • Meet all deadlines and deliverables 

    • Participate constructively in feedback and discussion sessions 

    • Maintain confidentiality regarding shared materials and industry discussions 

    • Uphold inclusive and respectful professional conduct throughout the program 

CONFIDENTIALITY & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

  • All submitted materials remain the intellectual property of the applicants.

  • Applicants acknowledge that:

    • materials may be reviewed by AiF staff and Selection Committee members for assessment purposes only; 

    • confidential project information should be clearly identified where necessary; and 

    • participation in the program does not transfer ownership of project rights.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

  • Monday, August 3 PT / Tuesday, August 4 AEST.

DECISION & NOTIFICATION

  • Final outcomes for shortlisted applicants will be communicated in writing end of September 2026.

  • Due to the anticipated volume of applications, Australians in Film and Screen Australia are unable to provide individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.