Kelli Cross selected as WA recipient of SBS Emerging Writers Incubator
SBS has today announced the six screenwriters selected for the 2022 SBS Emerging Writers’ Incubator, a nationwide industry initiative supporting the development of under-represented screenwriting talent in Australia. The successful writers were chosen from hundreds of submissions to join leading Australian production companies for a year of paid employment as they forge their careers in the sector.
Supported by Screenwest, Western Australian writer/director Kelli Cross has been selected to join Easy Tiger Productions (Rake, Jack Irish, Doctor Doctor), who will welcome Kelli into their NSW offices. Over the next 12 months, Kelli will gain significant work experience and further develop her skills, knowledge, and networks while working across Easy Tiger’s slate of drama productions. Kelli will also be supported by the Australian Writers’ Guild with access to creative and training workshops.
“We’re proud to be supporting Kelli Cross as she embarks on the next stage of her career through this wonderful opportunity. Easy Tiger has a fantastic track record for producing high quality Australian drama; we’re excited to see Kelli gain invaluable experience and share her storytelling talents with the team.” said Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO.
“Being selected really is like a dream come true for someone like me, as finding the time to sit down and just write is something I’ve always struggled with over the years being a mum of four kids. So to have a whole year to focus on writing and learning the craft at the highest calibre from the team at Easy Tiger is truly a blessing indeed! I can’t wait to make the big move East and embrace everything that Easy Tiger has to offer as one of Australia’s leading production companies.” said Kelli Cross.
Kelli is a Nyoongar/Malgana/wadjela woman from the Fremantle area of Perth. Since she started writing and directing her own short films, Kelli has completed an attachment to Rachel Perkins on her feature, Jasper Jones, as a part of the ADG’s Directors Attachment Scheme in 2015. Before that, she won her first award for “Best Indigenous Film” for One Fine Day at the 2014 Shorts Film Festival in Adelaide, and was nominated for an Australian Directors’ Guild and Melbourne Webfest Award for directing ABC iview web series Aussie Rangers. Kelli has directed two episodes of The Heights (Season 2) as part of their director mentorship program. She is also currently developing her first feature film script, Black Sheep White Xmas, and is in the development stages of RED, a feature length film of eight stories in one ‘compartment eau’, with seven other writer/directors from across WA that will be exploring the theme of missing Indigenous women.
Joining Kelli for the 2022 Emerging Writers’ Incubator are:
- NSW: Skye Leon joins Jungle, supported by Screen NSW
- NT: Patrick Hogan joins Brindle Films, supported by Screen Territory
- QLD: Aven Yap joins Hoodlum Entertainment, supported by Screen Queensland
- SA: Elena Carapetis joins Highview Productions, supported by the South Australian Film Corporation
- VIC: Becki Bouchier joins Sweetshop & Green, supported by VicScreen
Screenwest would also like to congratulate screenwriters Jessica Bailey, Rafeif Ismail and Emma Vickery who were shortlisted from Western Australia this year.
Launched for the first time last year, the inaugural SBS Emerging Writers’ Incubator saw WA screenwriter Cassandra Nguyen (The Heights, Hold Up) undertake a 12 month placement at Komixx Entertainment.
About the SBS Emerging Writers’ Incubator
The SBS Emerging Writers’ Incubator is a nationwide industry initiative supporting the development of under-represented screenwriting talent in Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; people who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or with disability; people who are female or gender diverse; people who identify as LGBTQIA+; and people located in regional and remote areas. In its second year, the initiative is delivered in partnership with Screen Australia, state and territory agencies Screen NSW, Screen Queensland, Screen Territory, Screenwest, the South Australian Film Corporation and VicScreen, and with the assistance of the Australian Writers’ Guild.
Contact Screenwest
T: +61 8 6169 2100
E: info@screenwest.com.au
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