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ABC, Screen Oz target female creators

Australian public broadcaster the ABC has partnered with local funding body Screen Australia to scout out creators of content aimed at young girls.

Michael Carrington

A season branded as ‘Girls’ is set to premiere on ABC Me, the ABC Me app and ABC iview in October to celebrate the International Day of the Girl.

The season will be made up of stand-alone TV episodes that reflect the lives of Australian girls, created by up to five individuals or teams who have received funding from the ABC and Screen Australia.

The brief for each creative team is to imagine the episode is like an open letter to their 12-year-old self. Successful applicants will be given up to A$80,000 (US$61,000) each to create an episode of approximately 20 minutes suitable for an eight- to 12-year-old audience.

The aim is to help the audience make sense of the global issues around body image, gender stereotypes, pay gaps, gender language and careers they could have in STEM subjects.

The two companies will be taking submissions from females aged 18 years and older between March 8 and April 13. Younger applicants will also be considered.

The filmmakers will be mentored by experienced female producers and will receive editorial guidance from ABC commissioning editors Libbie Doherty and Jan Stradling, as well as Screen Australia’s senior development executive Nerida Moore.

“It’s a career-changing opportunity for new and diverse female content makers to showcase their talent and build their development and production skills resulting in real content,” said Michael Carrington, ABC’s head of children’s and education.

The season is part of ABC’s corporate plan to contribute to the diversity, quality and innovation of the Australian film and television industry, as well as Screen Australia’s target of achieving gender equity.

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