AWG announces 2026 First Break NSW participants – The Australian Writers’ Guild is pleased to announce the 15 screenwriters who have been selected to participate in First Break NSW, a unique professional development program designed to give talented, aspiring screenwriters a leg up in the industry through practical training in note-taking and script coordinating.
Delivered with support from Screen NSW, the three-day online initiative provides participants with in-demand skills and the training necessary to obtain work in a writers’ room.
The successful participants are:
- Alexia Attwood
- Sarah Carroll
- Andrew Emmerson
- Ella Fraser
- Rain Fuller
- Hannah Grace Fulton
- Thea Jade
- Nick Kapetanios
- Maya Khadem Skidmore
- Lianne Mackessy
- Cassie Matheson
- Miranda Michalowski
- Inez Playford
- Tresa Ponnor
- Lachlan Shaw
AWG’s Director of Professional Development, Susie Hamilton said:
“This is our fourth year running First Break and we keep returning to it because of its immense value, both for screenwriters trying to break into the industry and for busy working writers looking for skills-ready note-takers for their writers’ rooms. We’ve had great success seeing writers come through the program and go on to get jobs as script coordinators, or even their first credit, through connections made as a note-taker.”
Taking place online over three Saturdays, First Break offers participants an opportunity to train and develop their understanding of the industry with highly experienced writers and facilitators Catherine Kelleher and Terence McCarthy.
On completion of the training, graduates will be added to the AWG industry resource, Pathways First Break where producers and writers find note-takers and script coordinators for paid work.
The Pathways First Break portal is a permanent resource for industry looking for talented new writers who have valuable skills to offer in writers’ rooms. This portal is now the first port of call for many producers and writers looking for entry level staff for their productions.
Media Release Australian Writers Guild
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AWG announces 2026 First Break NSW participants
