Cinespace Inc.

15/04/2026

[share YIRRAMBOI Festival]

YIRRAMBOI Announces major new commissions to debut on the world stage in 2027

WITHEWA (TO RETURN HOME)
INSTALLATION / FILM
Jedda Atkinson–Costa, Wemba Wemba / Yorta Yorta / Mutti Mutti / Barapa Barapa

Withewa is a poetic film work honouring unsung Aboriginal Elders whose life stories risk being lost if not preserved. Filmed in places rich with memory, the work weaves voice, landscape, natural light and archival material to create intimate portraits of cultural leadership, care and quiet strength.

“The unsung Blak elders in our community tend to be the ones that are less visible — they're just quietly living their lives, chipping away and working, and I feel like they need to be celebrated.”

The first in a proposed series, the project positions Elders as living archives, preserving humour, wisdom and story as both cinematic works and deeply personal family keepsakes. Guided by cultural mentorship and community consultation, Withewa acts as a living eulogy, ensuring these stories continue to echo long after Elders return to the Dreaming.

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YIRRAMBOI has unveiled 4 major new commissions, marking the next chapter for a festival that has become a leading platform for First Nations evolutionary and experimental arts.

Spanning experimental sound, street theatre, movement, language rematriation, film and installation – each work is developed from early concept through to full realisation, culminating in world premieres across narrm (Melbourne) during the 2027 festival.

“There is nothing more powerful than backing our artists to create on their own terms, to play, to explore, to take risks and to speak their truths. That is where the most urgent and pivotal work is born. We’re deeply honoured to be entrusted with new works by senior artists, cultural leaders and the next generation of First Nations creatives. Artists who helped shape past festivals now return as pillars of the 2027 program, leading ambitious new work that reflect the strength and continuity of this platform.” – Co-Lead/Artistic Lead of YIRRAMBOI Festival Sherene Stewart

“At a time of uncertainty across the arts sector, YIRRAMBOI doubles down on ambitious, self-determined commissioning. As a First Nations festival, resilience is not new to us. We have always created within constraint. We will continue to push, to carve out opportunity, and to honour our responsibility as a vital and enduring platform for First Nations practice.” – Co-Lead/Executive Lead of YIRRAMBOI Festival Emily Wells

For more information on the 2027 YIRRAMBOI program, visit the website. https://yirramboi.com.au/news/yirramboi-announces-major-new-commissions

15/04/2026

[share Melbourne International Film Festival - advertisement]
37°South Market returns 6–9 August 2026!
Second Round applications are now open
Apply now
37°South Market is the Southern Hemisphere’s leading curated screen finance market, running from 6–9 August 2026.

We’re thrilled to be bringing the global screen content marketplace to Melbourne for 37°South Market’s 19th year. We look forward to once again connecting local and international film and TV decision-makers with producers and creatives from across Australia and New Zealand, kindling the flames of exciting new projects and fostering long-lasting connections.

Apply now to get your projects in front of influential buyers and financiers. Past attendees include executives from Amazon, AGC Studios, Apple TV+, Bankside, Charades, Cornerstone, Embankment, Federation, HanWay, IFC, mK2, Miramax, Neon, Netflix, Participant, Pathé, Plan B and more.

Producer applicants selected for the Market’s core module Bridging the Gap will receive a 37ºSouth registration, which includes the following:

Photo-lanyard pass to market floor and personal diary of meetings with screen content financiers/buyers at Bridging the Gap (note: meetings to be allocated by 37ºSouth personnel on the basis of buyer preferences)

Access to six networking events (two cocktail functions and four mixer lunches)

Entry to State of Play talks

Choice to opt in to the content-seeking modules of PostScript & Direct, Nexus and Books at MIFF

Choice to opt in to the business-development modules of Team Up and Link Up.

Second Round application pricing ends on 8 May. Submit a producer application now to save up to 12% on the full-price registration fee.

https://miffindustry.com/37osouth-market/call-for-submissions/

15/04/2026

[share Australians in Film - advertisement]

3 reasons why you should not miss this opportunity!

No panels. No recordings. Watch (or participate in) how jokes, story and tone are built in a real room.

Operate at room level, not just script level. Learn how collaboration, instincts, and timing shape your value beyond the page

Hat on a hat? Riding two horses? Flipping the Dolphin? Learn the bizarre lingo of a comedy room.

Deadline to apply for the room - Thursday, April 16, 4.00 p.m PT (U.S) // Friday, April 17, 9.00 a.m. AEST (AUS)

Don’t want to be in the room but want to be a part of the experience?

Register to observe! Open to all internationally.

Deadline to register to observe:

Monday, May 4, 4.00 p.m. PT (U.S.) // Tuesday, May 5, 9.00 a.m. AEST (AUS)

Australians in Film in partnership the Australian Writers’ Guild is excited to announce the next session in our INSIDER SESSIONS SERIES: Inside a U.S. Writers’ Room – LIVE! Comedy Edition, led by acclaimed writer and producer Sam Laybourne.

Sam most recently served as Co-Executive Producer on the CBS comedy DMV. Prior to that he was showrunner for Seasons 3 and 4 of the hit comedy Acapulco on Apple TV+, where the series earned a 2025 Critics Choice Award nomination and was named Best Series at the 4th Annual CCA Celebration of Latino Cinema and Television.

Sam was an Executive Producer on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist for NBC and wrote for two Emmy-nominated comedies, black-ish and Arrested Development. His extensive writers’ room experience also includes The Real O'Neals, Grandfathered, Cougar Town, Aliens in America, and The Loop.



What You’ll Experience

In the first of four sessions, Sam will walk participants through the do’s and don’ts of working in a U.S. comedy writers’ room—how to pitch effectively, collaborate with other writers, make yourself indispensable in the room, and avoid common pitfalls.

In the following three live sessions, eight selected writers will step into the room themselves. Working under Sam’s guidance (as Head Writer), they will collaborate to break the second episode of a pilot—exactly the way it happens in a professional TV writers’ room.

All who register will receive the pilot script in advance to either prepare to contribute if selected as a writer in the room or to follow the process and watch the episode take shape in real time.

How to Join

Apply to be one of eight people chosen to participate in the writers’ room by submitting a script.

Register to observe and watch the process unfold live.

All applicants who apply for a chance to be one of eight people chosen to participate in the writers room, will have their scripts read by industry professionals.

Every participant—whether in the room or observing—will gain invaluable insight into how professional TV writers’ rooms function, from story beats and character arcs to collaboration, pitching, and creative problem-solving.

We’ll be working on a single camera comedy series.

Eligibility

To apply for selection in the writers’ room:

You must be an Australian citizen 18 years old or over.

You must be willing and available to be an active participant (including any homework between sessions) live online, on the following dates and times:

Tuesday, May 5, 4.00 p.m. - 5.30 p.m. PT (In the U.S.)

Wednesday, May 6, 9.00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m. AEST (In AUS)

Thursday, May 7, 4.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. PT (In the U.S.)

Friday, May 8, 9.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. AEST (In AUS)

Tuesday, May 12, 4.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. PT (In the U.S.)

Wednesday, May 13, 9.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. AEST (In AUS)

Thursday, May 14, 4.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. PT (In the US)

Friday, May 15, 9.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. AEST (In AUS)

You must apply with a full-length original TV comedy pilot script. No pitch decks or treatments.

You’ll need a 250 word personal statement - why you want to be selected for this program. Let us know who you are!

Submissions close Thursday, April 9, 4.00 p.m. PT (In the U.S) // Friday, April 10, 9.00 a.m. AEST (In AUS)

Application does not guarantee you will be selected. Only eight participants will be chosen. All submissions will be reviewed be industry professionals.

IMPORTANT: If selected as one of the eight writers in the “room”, you’ll be expected to actively participate and follow the guidelines of a professional writers’ room which will be discussed in Session 1. Should the Head Writer determine after the first “room” session that your contribution or behavior falls below expectations, you may be replaced—just as would happen in a real-world setting.

To participate as an observer: All are welcome!

Session 1: Inside the U.S. Writers’ Room (90 minutes)

Learn about navigating a typical U.S. comedy writers’ room - the hierarchy of roles, how comedy rooms differ from drama rooms in structure and tone, ways to stand out and make yourself invaluable, and mistakes to avoid that could hurt your chances of success. You’ll also learn how TV staffing works - how do shows put together their writers’ rooms and make hiring decisions?

We’ll also talk about how to prepare for your first day in a room - you got the job, now what?!

When:

Tuesday, May 5, 4.00 p.m. - 5.30 p.m. PT (In the U.S.)
Wednesday, May 6, 9.00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m. AEST (In AUS)

Session 2: Breaking Episode Two - Part One (2 hours)

After having read the pilot, you’ll hear from your Head Writer some initial thoughts about the pilot and the direction of the show. Participants will discuss the themes of the show and episode, tone, character arcs, and season arcs to build to before jumping in and starting to break the episode.

When:

Thursday, May 7, 4.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. PT (In the U.S.)
Friday, May 8, 9.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. AEST (In AUS)

Session 3: Breaking Episode Two - Part Two (2 hours)

Participants will continue breaking the episode, building off what was settled on in the previous session, and bringing new ideas to discuss and brainstorm.

When:

Tuesday, May 12, 4.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. PT (In the U.S.)
Wednesday, May 13, 9.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. AEST (In AUS)

Session 4: Breaking Episode Two - Part Three (2 hours)

You’ll finish breaking the episode and then have time to reflect on what worked and didn’t work throughout the process.

When:

Thursday, May 14, 4.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. PT (In the US)
Friday, May 15, 9.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m. AEST (In AUS)

ABOUT SAM LAYBOURNE

Writer/Producer

Sam Laybourne most recently worked as a Co-Executive Producer on the comedy DMV for CBS. Before that, he served as showrunner on Seasons 3 & 4 of Acapulco for Apple TV, where the show was nominated for a 2025 Critics Choice Award and awarded “Best Series” at the 4th Annual CCA Celebration of Latino Cinema and Television. Before running the international hit comedy, Sam was an executive producer on the musical drama, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist with Lionsgate for NBC. Sam has written for two Emmy-nominated shows, black-ish and Arrested Development, and he has worked in some great writers rooms over the years, including The Real O’Neals, Grandfathered, Cougar Town, Aliens in America and The Loop. Sam also had the insane privilege of working with Michael J. Fox as the co-creator and co-showrunner of The Michael J. Fox Show. In addition to working in TV, Sam has written features for Columbia, 20th Century Fox and Sony Screen Gems and has developed both half-hour and drama concepts for CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, Apple TV+ and Freeform.

PRICING:

APPLY TO PARTICIPATE: USD $150
https://secure.australiansinfilm.org/np/clients/australiansinfilm/eventRegistration.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&event=1838

REGISTER TO OBSERVE: USD $75
https://secure.australiansinfilm.org/np/clients/australiansinfilm/eventRegistration.jsp?forwardedFromSecureDomain=1&event=1833

12/04/2026

[share Australian Cinematographers Society]
- ACS VIC - SHOW & TELL -
28th of April 2026
6pm for 6.45pm screening
Thornbury Picture House
https://www.instagram.com/p/DW7kjAzDM1M/?igsh=MW1lcWd4ZndjMTRqMQ%3D%3D

09/04/2026

We’ve got a few passes to Spanish drama, CALLE MALAGA (Malaga Street), opening 23 April, thanks to , and we’re giving them away!

To enter:

• Follow
• Like this post
• Tag a friend in the comments

There are 2 complimentary double passes and 3 “Buy One Get One Free” passes up for grabs.

Winners will be announced next week!

31/03/2026

[spotted The University of Melbourne VCA eNews] The unseen environmental cost of a fleeting film set

As climate concerns grow, the film and television industry is trialling new sustainable practices, with one new series focusing on eco-friendly materials to reduce its carbon footprint, writes Nell Hanson from VCA Design and Production.

As climate concerns grow, the film and television industry is trialling new sustainable practices, with one new series focusing on eco-friendly materials to reduce carbon footprint, explains a University of Melbourne expert

15/03/2026

[share SBS On Demand] (W.A. based but you may know someone..) We’re searching for a WA based Production Coordinator via the SBS Talent Escalator, to work with Smashing FIlms on an upcoming documentary. The role is open to practitioners who identify as First Nations peoples, Culturally and linguistically diverse, Non-European culturally and linguistically diverse, People with disability, LGBTQ+ and intersectional women from these communities.
Here is the job ad:

13/03/2026

[share Screen Presence] Filmmaker and producer Ravi Chand will be joining us for our next From Idea to Screen session to share his experience running successful crowdfunding campaigns for his short films at the VCA.

His graduating film Coconut was later presented through Creative Australia’s MatchLab initiative as a crowdfunding case study.

Ravi will walk through the practical steps behind planning and running a campaign — from building supporters before launch to managing the campaign while it’s live.

📍 Chinese Museum, Melbourne
🗓 Thursday 19 March | 7pm
🎟 Tickets $20

Proudly supported by

13/03/2026

[share Creative Brimbank and Brimbank Libraries] On today at 3pm!

Step inside the creative worlds of four exciting filmmakers shaping the future of Australian storytelling.

11/03/2026

Interested in crewing on VCA Masters films this year?

Find the link below to the event invite - which is tomorrow night, March 12, at Federation Hall!

The event says SOLD OUT but there should be seats available if you show up. There’s also an Undergraduate pitch night on 5 May too.

https://cm.edm.unimelb.edu.au/t/r-e-tkkikuly-l-p/

09/03/2026

Irihipeti Waretini

Great to see Back To Te Maunga at La Mama Courthouse in Carlton yesterday, a compelling play where friendship, grief and forgiveness collide against the backdrop of a hunters cabin in rural Aotearoa, New Zealand - starring Cinespace alum Jordan Selwyn, Joe Dekkers-Reihana, written by Joel Te Teira, and Directed by Keegan Bragg. On for two more weeks. Tickets start at $15 for first nations peoples from anywhere in the world. https://www.lamama.com.au/whats-on/la-mama-presents-2026/back-to-te-maunga