MCX Screenmakers today announces its shift to a 100% online event program, expanding its offering of world-class industry led events to emerging screen creatives Australia-wide, along with opportunities to pitch and learn from national and global marketplace decision makers.

With much of Australia currently in lockdown as a result of COVID-19, the 7th edition of MCX Screenmakers has moved quickly to deliver the entire event online including the Conference, TV Format Lab, Pitch Market, ABC TV | iview PITCH-O-RAMA competition and Career Mentoring now delivered across three special events.

The two-day conference will take place on 10 and 11 September, featuring over 50 local and international speakers across the program, including live from LA, an interview with screenwriters and presenters of the global podcast sensation The Screenwriting Life, Lorien McKenna (Up, Brave, Inside Out) and Meg Lefauve (Inside Out, Captain Marvel).

The conference will explore ways of approaching things differently across its 19 sessions, focusing on business, creative and craft sessions for TV, features, games and streaming. Other highlights include the talented and vocal siblings, Benjamin and Michelle Law, one of Australia’s global success stories the team from Hoodlum Entertainment, and gaming giant Mighty Kingdom joins a panel exploring the rising popularity of narrative games.

The TV Format Lab, produced by Media Mentors, will take place on 12 September, bringing together the leading lights of format TV including the creators of hugely successful hit shows, Nine Network’s The Block and ABC’s You Can’t Ask That.  Including execs from CJZ, Good Thing Productions and ABC, this interactive lab will equip delegates with the skills to build formats from scratch whilst gaining insight into current market trends.

Closing out Screenmakers Conference on Friday 8th October is a unique one-day Interactive Pitch Market featuring 1:1 Pitching, Industry Roundtables and the $20k ABC TV | iview PITCH-O-RAMA competition. With market reps from Netflix, AMC, STAN, Roadshow, Foxtel, Madman, Icon, Studio Canal and more, there are over 250 pitching slots available. Delegates have until 20 September to enter projects for both 1:1 Pitching and ABC TV | iview PITCH-O-RAMA.

In addition to $10k development funding, ABC TV | iview PITCH-O-RAMA has expanded with new awards worth over $10k to help accelerate careers and support access to market. These include membership and full registration to the AACTA Awards provided by the Australian Academy of Cinema & Television Arts, a full Gold Pass to Screen Forever from Screen Producers Australia, and memberships and passes to the Regional to Global Screen Summit supported by Screenworks.

Over 70 industry professionals are available for 1:1 half-hour Career Mentor sessions including screenwriter Elise McCredie (Stateless), Todd Abbott, Head of Comedy ABC, Lisa Shaunessy Producer (2067), Bec Summerton Producer (Aftertaste, Animals).

There are many ways for delegates to get involved, with online conference sessions recorded and available for delegates on catch-up for one month following the conference and a dedicated peer to peer networking space to connect the MCX Screenmakers community

Minister for Innovation and Skills, David Pisoni said the South Australian Government is proud to support Mercury CX to deliver the Screenmakers Conference through our Research and Innovation Fund, providing a fantastic development opportunity for emerging screen practitioners to build their skills and gain insights from industry professionals.

“This year’s online conference program gives delegates an opportunity to  connect with a greater array of national and international industry leaders and experts, in a COVID safe way” Minister Pisoni said.

Mercury CX CEO, Karena Slaninka said that it was important to ensure that the event continued and delivered opportunities for Australia’s burgeoning emerging screen sector.

“It is critical to continue to foster and support the development of emerging practitioners despite these challenging times. We’re thrilled to deliver a bigger and more interactive MCX Screenmakers in 2021 and look forward to seeing the projects and connections that emerge from this year’s event” said Karena Slaninka CEO, Mercury CX.

Delegates can choose from a range of packages starting at $55. For more info www.screenmakersconference.com.au