Netflix has partnered with the Australian Writers’ Guild and Australia’s eight state and territory screen agencies to launch ‘The Next Brilliant Career’, a new development initiative for emerging female and non-binary screenwriters.
Announced in Sydney today, August 4th, the program coincides with the upcoming release of “My Brilliant Career” and celebrates the legacy of pioneering Australian author Miles Franklin.
“The Next Brilliant Career” invites emerging Australian writers who identify as women or non-binary to submit original, authentically Australian scripted concepts. Selected writers will receive feedback directly from Netflix as they develop their stories for the screen.
Applications will be submitted through dedicated online portals operated by the relevant state and territory screen agencies. Following an eligibility check, an independent Australian Writers’ Guild panel will shortlist the submissions.
One finalist from each state and territory will then be invited to pitch their concept live at Netflix ANZ’s Sydney headquarters on October 6th. Each finalist will receive direct feedback from Netflix on the development of their story.
“Miles Franklin spent her career fighting for the right to tell her own story on her own terms.” said Amanda Duthie, Netflix ANZ Content Director. “‘The Next Brilliant Career’ is built on that same conviction. Australia has no shortage of extraordinary women writers; we’ve designed this program to welcome the next generation of bold Australian voices telling stories that resonate here and around the world.”
Claire Pullen, Executive Director of the Australian Writers’ Guild, said they were excited to uncover new Australian voices through the initiative.
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“We are proud to partner with Netflix ANZ on ‘The Next Brilliant Career’,” she said. “This valuable initiative aligns with our shared mission to foster diverse talent, champion authentic Australian stories, and create meaningful opportunities for our nation’s emerging voices. Together, we look forward to uncovering the next generation of storytellers across Australia.”
Applicants must be Australian residents aged 18 or over who identify as women or non-binary and are available to attend the Sydney pitch day on October 6th, 2026.
The program defines an emerging writer as someone who holds between one and three reportable writing credits on commercially released short films, films or television productions longer than 10 minutes. The credited production must have screened at a recognised film festival and/or received support from a state or federal screen agency.
Applicants cannot be full-time students.
Applications opened at 12.01 am on August 4th and close at 11.59 pm on August 18th.
Submissions must feature scripted stories that are authentically Australian. Applications must include a brief professional biography, working title, logline, intended audience description and genre.
Writers must also provide an explanation of the work’s cultural relevance and their personal connection to the material, along with a one-page synopsis and a five-page writing sample.
Writers will retain full ownership of their original work throughout the program. Participation will not transfer any rights in a submitted story to Netflix, the Australian Writers’ Guild or a participating screen agency.
Selection for the program does not guarantee that Netflix will develop a participant’s story or provide funding or continued support beyond the initiative.
Applications can be submitted through the following portals:
South Australia: South Australian Film Corporation
Australian Capital Territory: Screen Canberra
New South Wales: Screen NSW
Northern Territory: Screen Territory
Queensland: Screen Queensland
Tasmania: Screen Tasmania
Victoria: VicScreen
Western Australia: Screenwest
For more information on eligibility, the judging process and FAQs, head to the Netflix ANZ website.