A Bold SCREEN FOREVER 39 Program Set to Change The Narrative – Today, Screen Producers Australia (SPA) is pleased to reveal the program for SCREEN FOREVER (Tuesday, 6 May – Thursday, 8 May 2025), Australia’s premier screen industry event.
This conference’s program focuses on Changing the Narrative and offers endless opportunities for delegates to engage with industry leaders and gain invaluable insights. Five fundamentals helped shape the 47 sessions in the program that will explore topics including industry reform, thought leadership, the economy of attention, and the development of craft.
150+ speakers will participate in the program. They will share knowledge from learned experiences to unite delegates to have explorative and challenging conversations about the global screen industry and how it affects their local businesses.
SPA CEO Matthew Deaner stated,
“This year’s SCREEN FOREVER program is one of our most ambitious and thought-provoking yet. Developed in collaboration with industry experts, it reflects the evolving landscape of our sector and the critical conversations shaping its future.
“We’ve designed a program that challenges conventional thinking and will provide delegates unique opportunities to engage with industry leaders, spark innovative ideas, and foster meaningful business connections and co-production opportunities.
“Our industry is at a defining moment, navigating both disruption and opportunity globally. SCREEN FOREVER 39 provides a platform to explore these shifts, offering delegates the chance to be part of transformative discussions that will help define the future of Australian screen production,”
– said Mr Deaner.
Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said that the Gold Coast was the ideal place for the Australian screen production sector to meet and explore new opportunities.
“The Crisafulli Government is proud to support SCREEN FOREVER to help drive the economic and employment benefits of the industry,”
– Minister Langbroek said.
“Through Screen Queensland’s incentives and funds, we are growing the state’s production and post-production potential while supporting local businesses and showcasing our state to the globe.”
Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said,
“The Queensland Government’s partnership with SCREEN FOREVER is an important element of the state’s globally connected screen industry and we welcome leaders and producer participants from across the breadth of our sector.
“Now is the time for insightful dialogue and collective learning to navigate both disruption and opportunity in the ever-evolving screen landscape. I commend Screen Producers Australia for delivering a forward-thinking program that strengthens the industry’s resilience and adaptability.”
“The beauty of SCREEN FOREVER is the ability for delegates to connect with every layer of the industry,”
– said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.
“This year’s program reinforces that the Gold Coast is on the right trajectory when it comes to being recognised as the best place to create screen magic, anywhere in the southern hemisphere.
“The Gold Coast has led that new narrative through innovation and ambition as we work to expand the industry for Queensland and Australia.
“It’s lights, camera – Gold Coast.”
The five fundamentals that helped curate the program are Channels of Influence, Critical Change, Radical Storytelling, Discoverability and Audience, and From Mandates to Money.
Channels of Influence includes a landmark lineup of guests such as Hugh Marks, recently appointed Managing Director of the ABC, who will share his priorities and strategies for the national broadcaster and Michael Ebeid AM, Chair of the Screen Australia Board, who will steer a session on Australia’s national screen agency, explaining its new corporate plan, brand principles, and strategy framework.
Critical Change includes,
- SCREEN WARS: Trump vs Global Trade
- Futureproofing Your Screen Business By Putting People First,
- The Value of the Producer Credit
- Cultural Safety for International Co-Productions
- Representation Matters: The Next Big Opportunity
- Cut Costs & Carbon: Sustainable Production That Pays Off
- Exploring AI’s Impact on Screen Producers: What’s Ahead?
Sessions that fall under Radical Storytelling include,
- Sharing the Vision – How Writers and Producers Collaborate to Develop a Scripted Series for a Green Light
- The Showrunner Equation: Writers, Producers & Blurred Lines
- Reboots vs Originals
- The Power of Procedurals & Comfort TV – Why We Keep Coming Back
Discoverability and Audience sessions include,
- From Broadcast to Netflix to YouTube: Breaking Down Gen Z Audience Viewing Habits
- Screen Time Savvy: Reaching Kids in the Digital Playground
- Creators: The Talent Pool You Need to Tap Into
- Everything’s Online: The Digital Hustle and How to Stay Ahead
Final Fundamental Mandates to Money includes a chance to hear from the new commissioning team at NITV in First Nations Futures: Charting a Bold New Era at NITV as well as fan favourite Meet the Funders sessions where Screen Australia and all State and Territory Screen Agencies share information with delegates on their priorities and processes.
The conference rounds out with a SCREEN FOREVER 39 exclusive game show event Redlight Greenlight, where the audience will watch as a team of industry professionals brainstorm a project LIVE while being judged in real time by established buyers.
The event will also see the return of not-to-be-missed social networking events, including the buzzing Audio Network Opening Night Drinks, the fast-paced Screenrights Speed Networking Hour, the City of Gold Coast Mayor’s Sunset Social, and the final celebratory event of the conference, the SCREEN FOREVER Gala Party.
The event will also see the 23rd Annual SPA Awards celebrating excellence in Australian screen production, held on the final night of SCREEN FOREVER 39, Thursday, 8 May 2025.
Delegates are encouraged to register early to secure their spot to avoid missing out on what is regularly a sold-out event.
Link to SCREEN FOREVER 39 website HERE.
Link to SCREEN FOREVER 39 program HERE.
Register HERE.
Media Release – SPA
Link to SPA HERE
TV Central Screen Australia content HERE
A Bold SCREEN FOREVER 39 Program Set to Change The Narrative
