Seven indigenous screen practitioners exploring US opportunities

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Screen Australia and Australians in Film Foundation have announced that seven Australian indigenous screen practitioners will travel to Los Angeles next month for a series of high-level networking opportunities.

The delegation includes Caméra d’Or-winning director Warwick Thornton (Sweet Country, Samson & Delilah), powerhouse actor, writer and director Leah Purcell (Wentworth, Cleverman) and acclaimed writer and director Steven McGregor (Sweet Country, Mystery Road TV series).

This extension of Screen Australia’s Talent USA initiative coincides with the Australian Federal Government screen agency celebrating 25 years of indigenous screen stories.

The week-long (November 5-10) program will focus on setting up business connections for the delegates with US film and television industry stakeholders, as well as providing opportunities to learn from established LA-based creators and decisions makers.

Participants were selected based on considerable international success and/or having established interest in the US.

“It is fantastic to be able to offer this incredible opportunity to luminaries of our industry, which will assist in opening new doors to expand their already successful careers in the US market,” said Penny Smallacombe, head of the indigenous department at Screen Australia.

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Top Photo: Leah Purcell and Warwick Thornton (Photo: Dominic Lorrimer)