WHAT‘S HAPPENING
News & Events
The Wheeler Centre and SAFC announce partnership on The Next Chapter
16 October 2018
The Wheeler Centre and the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) announced a new three-year partnership for The Next Chapter writers’ scheme, Opening Scene, an opportunity to introduce The Next Chapter writers to Australia’s top producers.
The Wheeler Centre’s Head of Publishing, Sophie Black and SAFC CEO Courtney Gibson were joined by one of the recently announced recipients of The Next Chapter writers’ scheme, local South Australian writer and Kalali/Boandik man from Mount Compass, Adrian Stanley, to launch Opening Scene at the Made in SA Gala Screening at the Adelaide Film Festival.
Presented by the Wheeler Centre with support from the Aesop Foundation, The Next Chapter is about giving new writers the time and space to craft a voice and a career. It’s about investing in a new generation of writers who will reflect the diversity of Australian identities and experiences.
Opening Scene will connect The Next Chapter writers with leading producers and screen-makers and provide exclusive workshops to develop the writer’s skills in the art of adaptation, how optioning works and how to pitch to the industry.
SAFC is South Australia’s lead agency for the development, support and promotion of the state’s screen production sector. SAFC provides unique opportunities for international, national and local producers to create and deliver a diverse slate of feature film, television and online projects. SAFC will be the exclusive Screen Agency partner for The Next Chapter.
The 10 recipients of The Next Chapter, which were announced on Sunday 30 September at the Newcastle Young Writers’ Festival (NYWF), will have the chance to pitch their projects to a number of producers sourced by SAFC. Producers will be given an opportunity to read any work that they may be interested in with a view to optioning the projects.
Each recipient will receive $15,000 to develop their work. The Wheeler Centre will match the writers with a mentor to work closely with them on bringing their writing to life, connecting them with peers, publishers and readers. If they find publication, the Wheeler Centre will work with the successful publishers to support getting the books into the hands of the readers who’ll love them.
Featured image: The Wheeler Centre logo