SCREEN FOREVER 40 – Day Three Wrap – The final day of SCREEN FOREVER 40 delivered another strong program of creative insight, practical industry intelligence and future-focused conversations, before delegates prepare to gather tonight for the 24th Annual SPA Awards.
The day opened with Goolagong: How to Ace a Biopic, where the creative team behind the acclaimed series unpacked the journey of bringing Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s extraordinary story to the screen. Moderated by Brett Sleigh, the session featured producer Joanna Werner (Werner Productions), lead actor Lila McGuire and writer Steven McGregor, exploring the unique challenges of balancing authenticity, family and cultural sensitivities, and the creative demands of bringing a living legend’s story to life.
In Story Development: Please Sir, Can I Have Some More?, producers, commissioners and development executives tackled one of the industry’s most pressing questions — how to create stronger projects in a market where development resources are increasingly stretched. Moderated by Loani Arman, the panel featured Andy Ryan (Nine Entertainment), Antoine Nugou (Mediawan), Coco Garner Davis (Flying Bark), Phil Lloyd (Jungle Entertainment), Rachel Gardner (Curio Pictures), Rachel Okine (ABC) and Sarah Christie (Prime Video), offering practical insight into what meaningful development looks like and how to balance creative ambition with market realities.
Star Attraction: Importing International Talent delivered a practical session for producers navigating the complexities of bringing international cast and crew into Australia.
Moderated by Sophia Zachariou (BBS Studios ANZ), the panel featured Anne Kemp (Media Super), Jason Burrows (Jungle Entertainment), Kylie du Fresne (Goalpost Pictures), Liana Dubois (Entertainment Partners) and Thea McLeod (McLeaod Casting), covering everything from visas and contracts to tax and production logistics required to support globally ambitious projects, and examined if its worth it.
In Fandom Is the New Audience Strategy, delegates explored how audience-building is increasingly shaping financing, development and distribution decisions. Nicholas Verso led a conversation with Elsie Choi (CJ ENM), Louise Schultze (Australian Production House), Luke Bateman and Marci Wiseman (Wise Group / XYZ Films) on how producers can think strategically about fandom, direct-to-audience models and building market traction long before a project reaches screen.
The ever-popular Redlight Greenlight returned for another lively and revealing session, giving delegates a front-row seat to the realities of pitching and commissioning in today’s market.
Six creators were dropped on stage to develop an idea live as network and streaming executives made instant “red light” or “green light” decisions in real time. Moderated by Loani Arman, the session featured visual designer Catriona Drummond, creators Gil Marsden, Philip Tarl Denson and Wendy Mocke, Cieron Cody (NITV, SBS), Joseph Maxwell (SBS), Joshua Longhurst (Foxtel Group), Rebecca Anderson (ABC Drama & Comedy) and Susie Jones (ABC), delivering equal parts entertainment, pressure and valuable industry insight.
Tonight, delegates will come together for the 24th Annual SPA Awards, celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Australian screen businesses and the productions bringing local stories to audiences everywhere.
Following the Awards, the celebrations will continue at the SCREEN FOREVER Gala Party with DJ Reenie, the final event of SCREEN FOREVER 40 and a chance to close out an unforgettable week of connection, insight and industry leadership on the Gold Coast.
👉 View full program HERE.
👉 View day three images HERE.
Media Release – SPA
Link to SPA HERE
TV Central Screen Producers Australia content HERE
SCREEN FOREVER 40 – Day Three Wrap
