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Screen Queensland and SPA expand Ones to Watch program

Dena Curtis.

Screen Queensland and Screen Producers Australia have announced 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 aim to guide and nurture the next wave of Aussie producers.

The three Indigenous producers announced in the inaugural intake of this new intiative were Dena Curtis, Kaylene Butler and Jimi Bani.

These three up-and-comers will join the existing One to Watch participants in workshops, real world development and pitching opportuntities, as well as networking introductions in the lead up to the Screen Forever conference in Melbourne this November.

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

“This new initiative spearheaded by Screen Queensland to nurture and encourage our emerging indigenous producers is equally important in providing real opportunities for career development and further business opportunities.”

Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieria congratulated Curtis, Butler and Bani.

"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," she said.
 
“Ones to Watch follows on from Screen Queensland’s recently launched SQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy 2016-19 that outlines our commitment to local Indigenous practitioners and ensuring they are an important focus in SQ’s funding decisions.It complements our ongoing work to support local talent in a collaborative and supportive environment and create new opportunities and innovative ways for our practitioners to tell their stories."