Australians in Film and Screen Australia have expanded their FUTURE VISION initiative with the launch of FUTURE VISION Forward, a new eight-month online television development lab aimed at helping Australian creators develop original series with international appeal.
The program builds on the FUTURE VISION industry conference, which has been held in Melbourne for the past two years, and is designed to support writers, producers and development executives through the process of refining projects into market-ready pitches.
Leading the inaugural lab is Anonymous Content Chief Creative Officer David Levine (“Boy Swallows Universe,” “True Detective,” “13 Reasons Why”), who participated in the first FUTURE VISION conference in 2024. The program will also feature sessions with writer Tony McNamara (“Poor Things,” “The Great,” “The Favourite”), writer Anchuli Felicia King (“The Sympathizer,” “Mary & George,” “First Day on Earth”), and director Shannon Murphy (“Dying for Sex,” “Killing Eve”).
Eight original television projects will be selected by an international panel of commissioning and buying executives based on their creative potential and prospects for global audiences. Participants will undertake workshops, mentorship, leadership training and industry sessions intended to strengthen both creative development and strategic project positioning.
According to the organisers, the program was created in response to conversations emerging from the FUTURE VISION conference, which has previously hosted international television figures including Lee Sung Jin (“BEEF”), Joanna Calo (“The Bear”), Richard Gadd (“Baby Reindeer”), Sally Wainwright (“Happy Valley”) and Soo Hugh (“Pachinko”).
Peter Ritchie, Executive Director of Australians in Film, said: “Over the past two years, FUTURE VISION has connected Australian creatives with some of the world’s leading television creators, inspiring bold new ideas and globally relevant Australian stories.
“FUTURE VISION Forward is the natural evolution of that mission. The conversations sparked through FUTURE VISION highlighted the need for ongoing creative development and strategic support to help great ideas become market-ready projects. By evolving into an innovative online initiative, we’re able to provide writers, creators and producers with greater access to world-class mentors and industry expertise, wherever they are.
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“We’re incredibly grateful to Screen Australia for their ongoing support and David Levine, Anchuli Felicia King, Tony McNamara and Shannon Murphy for lending their expertise to FUTURE VISION Forward. Their experience at the highest levels of the international industry will provide invaluable insight and inspiration, helping Australian creators shape stories that can resonate with audiences around the world.”
Harry Avramidis, Screen Australia’s Head of International & Industry Partnerships, said the initiative would strengthen Australia’s scripted development pipeline.
“FUTURE VISION Forward represents an exciting new pathway in Australia’s scripted development ecosystem. By connecting Australian creatives with world-class international expertise at an early stage, the program provides a focused, project-driven environment where projects can be challenged, refined and positioned for global success.
“Through fostering creative collaboration and strengthening international partnerships, FUTURE VISION Forward elevates Australian stories to travel further while showcasing the depth, diversity and originality of our Australian screen talent to audiences around the world. We are proud to partner in this initiative, co-designed with Australians in Film, and excited by the opportunities it creates for Australian creatives to build meaningful industry connections, advance distinctive television series and bring more Australian stories to the global stage.”
Levine said participating in the inaugural FUTURE VISION conference reinforced the value of collaboration between Australian and international creatives.
“Having participated in the inaugural FUTURE VISION in 2024, I loved being part of the exceptional Australian creative community and it’s only grown my appetite for meaningful creative exchange. Being able to participate and support FUTURE VISION Forward is a real honor and I can’t wait to develop the deeply authentic Australian creators who will join us in this inaugural lab. We all have the remarkable capacity to create series that resonate well beyond our own borders and I deeply appreciate Australians in Film and Screen Australia for the opportunity to put my innate curiosity into practice.”
Applications for FUTURE VISION Forward are now open here.