In a joint program, Screen Queensland and Screen Producers Australia are delighted to announce an important expansion of Ones To Watch 2016.

Following a series of successful collaborations, Screen Queensland and Screen Producers Australia will create a separate Ones To Watch initiative to include selected Queensland-based Indigenous producers.

Now in its fourth year, the Ones To Watch program and its associated partnerships aims to guide and nurture the next wave of Australia’s talented producers.

The program focuses on providing a comprehensive program of expert, one-on-one mentoring and career guidance from leading, experienced screen industry producers.

The three indigenous producers in this inaugural intake are Dena Curtis, Kaylene Butler and Jimi Bani.

“We consider mentoring of emerging producers by the industry as a key to growing the creative talent in this country,” said Matthew Deaner, CEO, Screen Producers Australia (SPA).

“We are excited about our new Ones To Watch initiative and working with SPA to nurture and grow local talent from Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community,” said Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira. “We congratulate the inaugural early career producers – Dena Curtis, Kaylene Butler and Jimi Bani.”

“We aim to continue to invest in local talent, project development, production and businesses in order to grow a stronger and richer industry base with long-lasting economic and cultural significance for all Australians.”

The 2016 Ones To Watch program also provides the existing nineteen participants and the three selected Indigenous producers from Queensland, with additional workshops, real-world development and pitching opportunities and industry networking introductions in the lead-up to Australia’s biggest screen industry conference, SCREEN FOREVER taking place in Melbourne from 15-17 November 2016.