VCA Film and Television to host the ‘Impact Australia 3’ screen writer accelerator program
Impact Australia 3, the third iteration of the highly coveted screenwriter accelerator program, will be held in-person this year on the Victorian College of the Arts’ (VCA) Southbank campus, with the University of Melbourne as Learning Partner.
Impact Australia is designed to discover, cultivate and empower diverse Australian screenwriters, with the goal of accelerating projects to be pitch-ready for global buyers and producers.
During the program, participants will be mentored by industry-leading screenwriters from around the globe. The mentors will work with the creators to hone their projects and prepare them for Pitch Day, where they will be given the opportunity to pitch their project to the global market.
Delivered by Impact and Gentle Giant Media Group, with principal funding from Screen Australia and Film Victoria, along with support from state and territory screen agencies, the program will be held in-person at the Victorian College of the Arts’ (VCA) Southbank campus, with the University of Melbourne as Learning Partner.
Applications are now open and close on 10 July, with the eight-week mentorship program beginning on 26 September 2022.
VCA Film and Television students will get behind-the-scenes access to weekly A-list speaker events and Pitch Day, along with opportunities to attend development intensives and workshops and meet one-on-one to discuss their projects and the film industry.
Head of VCA Film and Television Andrew O’Keefe, who is hosting this year’s program, said he was delighted to be involved. “Impact is the most successful story development incubator in the country and hosting it here on campus in Southbank, Melbourne, provides our students with a unique industry-facing educational experience that many screenwriters wait their entire careers for.”
“Given we’re Impact’s Learning Partner speaks to the quality of the graduates produced here at the VCA and the industry readiness of our talented students. We especially encourage our alumni to apply to take part in the program.”
Impact CEO Tyler Mitchell said the success of the program demonstrates the strength of talent in the Australian film industry. “Australians continue to prove that they punch above their weight creatively. 70 percent of the projects developed in Impact Australia’s eight-week accelerator programs have gained producer attachments or received additional funding, 60 percent of our writers have been hired or have sold a new project after completing the program, and one alum had his first TV series debut on AMC+ earlier this year, he said.”
“We’re thrilled that Impact Australia will be going into its third year and are excited to continue working with our incredible partners to create more pathways that promote and empower talented Australians pursuing careers in the screen industry.”
Gentle Giant Chairman and CEO Greg Basser said, “Impact Australia, in just its first two seasons, has shown the international screen industry the great depth of creative talent we have always known was embedded in the Australian industry. I have watched our alumni punch those holes in the sky and can’t wait to see what our third season of great Australian creativity will bring!”
Applications are open from 20 June – 10 July 2022. For more information and to apply, visit the Impact Australia website.