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Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman-supported development lab launches in Australia
05 November 2026
An exciting development initiative for female and nonbinary screenwriters over 40 is headed to Australia with support from the SAFC.
Supported by acclaimed actors Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman, The Writers Lab (TWL) is the only program in the world devoted to tackling on-screen and behind-the-camera ageism and gender bias. The initiative brings together selected writers and industry veterans with the aim of elevating women screenwriters in their prime through mentorship, advocacy and exposure.
The Writers Lab ANZ will hold its first-ever five-day intensive on the Gold Coast in April 2027. Australian and New Zealand female and nonbinary writers over 40 can submit a 20-page sample of a feature film or TV pilot script to be considered. Twelve writers will be selected to attend from the Trans-Tasman submission call.
From April 30 to May 4, the 12 selected writers will engage in one-on-one mentor meetings and group sessions aimed to develop their scripts and elevate their craft.
Speakers and mentors confirmed for the 2027 Lab include Rita Hsiao (Mulan, Toy Story 2, The Monkey King), Liz Doran (My Brilliant Career, Please Like Me, Dalliance) and Briar Grace-Smith (Cousins, The Strength of Water, Swift Street).
The ANZ Lab is supported by the SAFC alongside the Screenrights Cultural Fund, Minderoo Pictures, Screen Queensland, and the WeirAnderson Foundation. Community partners for the program include Arts & Cultural Exchange (ACE) Western Sydney, AFTRS, WIFT New Zealand, Screen Vixens and the Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG).
Based on a successful model that has been running for 12 years in the USA, Canada, the UK and Europe, the Australian program will be led by TWL co-founders Elizabeth Kaiden and Nitza Wilon.
Nitza Wilon said: “As longtime devotees of the vibrant storytelling of Australian and New Zealand women writers, we’re thrilled to offer craft and career support to help them build the tools and strategies required for success.”
Elizabeth Kaiden said: “With less than a third of the highest-grossing Australian and New Zealand films from the last 10 years written by women, there is an urgent need to strengthen the pipeline of female-led projects that platform female-centric narratives and female protagonists.”
TWL ANZ Australian Programming Director Brooke Hemphill said: “I had the incredible fortune to attend The Writers Lab flagship international Lab in 2023, and ever since, I’ve been urging Elizabeth and Nitza to come to Australia. I can’t wait to share this experience with the women of Australia and New Zealand.”
Submissions for The Writers Lab ANZ will open on 11 November 2026 and close 11 December 2026. Interested applicants are invited to register for an information webinar on Friday 6 November at 12.30pm ACDT. Find out more at twlstories.org/labs/twl-anz