Australians in Film (AiF), in partnership with Screen Australia, has announced the 2026 cohorts for its Talent Gateway and Global Producers Exchange programs.
The programs are all about “spotlighting leading Australian screen talent across writing, directing and producing.”
Running online since 2021, Talent Gateway supports Australian writer and directors who have demonstrated recent international success, equipping them with the tools, industry access and strategic relationships needed to compete and collaborate in the global market.
The Global Producers Exchange, meanwhile, focuses on strengthening the skills, knowledge, access and relationships necessary to attract investment and market partnerships for Australian scripted content.
This year’s Talent Gateway features the following:
Jo-Anne Brechin (QLD), an award-winning queer and neurodivergent filmmaker whose work has screened on Netflix, Amazon Prime, ABC and more
Ra Chapman (VIC), a writer, actor and filmmaker working across film, TV, documentary and theatre, recognised as one of IF Magazine’s 2024 Rising Talents
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Alberto Di Troia (VIC), a writer and script producer working across stage and screen, who recently co-wrote episode 2 of “The Survivors”
Alexei Mizin (VIC) and Ryan van Dijk (NSW), the creators and writers of Stan Original “Watching You,” which was nominated for Best Lead Actress at the 2026 AACTA Awards
Zoe Pepper (WA), a writer and director whose debut feature film “Birthright” had its world premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival
Vic Zerbst and Jenna Owen (NSW), award-winning comedy actors, writers and directors who recently co-wrote, executive produced and starred in the Logie-nominated “Optics”
The Global Producers Exchange features the following companies this year:
Film Depot, founded by award-winning producer Louse Smith, a film and TV production company based in Sydney
LateNite Films, an independent production studio with credits including “The Wizards of Aus,” “The legend of Burnout Barry” and more
Mad Ones, founded by producers Cyna Strachan and Liam Heyen in 2020, which released its first feature, “Jimpa,” this year
Magnetic Stories, headed by producer Melissa Kelly, a WA-based production company whose focus is scripted TV series and feature films
Máximo, a Sydney and LA-based founded by Liliana Muñoz, developing premium scripted series with global appeal through international co-productions
Speech&Drama, an innovative production company founded by award-winning filmmakers Nick Waterman and Meg Washington
Find out more about Australians in Film here.