The Australian conference will host industry professionals and government officials this year from Nov 17-19.

Screen Forever

Now in its 30th year, Screen Forever, the Australian film and television industry conference, begins tomorrow [Nov 17] at Melbourne Crown Conference Centre in Melbourne.

The three-day event will include keynotes, roundtables, panel discussions and networking and pitching opportunities, and conclude with the Screen Producers Australia Awards.

The opening keynote will be presented by Martin Foley MP, Australia’s minister for Creative Industries; Jenni Tosi, CEO of Film Victoria; and Matthew Deaner, CEO of Screen Producers of Australia; and then proceed with a lecture by television producer John Edwards.

The other keynotes are Paula Wagner, president of Chestnut Ridge Productions and former producing partner of Tom Cruise; and Dana Brunetti, president of Trigger Street Productions, producer of Fifty Shades Of Grey and executive producer on House Of Cards.

Australian government representatives Mark Dreyfus QC MP, Shadow Attorney General and Shadow Minister for the Arts; and Senator Mitch Fifield, Federal Minister for the Arts, and Minister for Communications will also be speaking.

Topics under discussion will include getting more women to join the industry, exploring the opportunities surrounding virtual reality, tips on working in the Chinese film and TV market, how to look for the next generation of talent, and what can be done in the fight against piracy.

Speakers and panelists include: producer Melissa Kelly of Factor 30 Films; Nathan Anderson, executive productor at Start VR; Ben Grant, managing director at Goalpost Pictures; Nicky Bentham of Neon Films; Simon Maxwell from Channel 4; producer Silver Park of Digital Idea; and Chloe McLoughnlin, Head of Business Affairs at the New Zealand Film Commission.

A full schedule and tickets are available on Screen Forever’s website.

Screen International is a partner of Screen Forever.