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Cassandra Nguyen Selected as WA Recipient of SBS Emerging Writers Incubator

WA screenwriter Cassandra Nguyen is one of six emerging screenwriters selected for the inaugural nationwide program, joining Komixx Entertainment.

Posted

Wednesday, 6 October 2021

Tags

SBS, Screen Australia

The SBS Emerging Writers’ Incubator is a nationwide program launched earlier this year to bring the industry together to support the ongoing development of underrepresented writing talent telling Australian fiction stories for the screen.

Over the next 12 months, Cass will gain valuable work experience, further developing her skills, knowledge and networks, while working across Komixx Entertainment’s slate of drama productions. She will also be supported by the Australian Writers’ Guild, with access to creative and training workshops, to further develop her skills.

“We’re incredibly proud to be supporting Cassandra Nguyen as part of this unique opportunity – it’s fantastic to have such a significant nationwide investment in our emerging writing talent. The number of competitive applications we received in WA exceeded our expectations, and I can’t wait to see the initiative continue in 2022 and 2023.” said Rikki Lea Bestall, Screenwest CEO.

“It’s an incredible privilege to be selected as WA’s candidate for the Emerging Writers’ Incubator. I’m overjoyed to be placed at Komixx with their stellar track record in drama production and applaud Screenwest, SBS, Screen Australia and the AWG for their support and commitment to creating pathways for underrepresented writers.” said Cassandra Nguyen.

Cassandra’s debut short film, Play Lunch, received international acclaim at numerous film festivals winning the “Jury Prize for Best Short Film” at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival in 2011. Her follow up project, Visiting Mum, screened at various festivals including the San Diego Asian Film Festival, and won “Best Director” and “Best Actor” at the Asians on Film Festival in 2015. In 2019, she was selected to attend the inaugural AFTRS Talent Camp in WA and underwent a week-long storytelling intensive lead by Kath Shelper and Brita McVeigh. Later that year, she joined the writing team of The Heights (ABC TV & Matchbox Pictures) for season two, penning an episode. In 2020, her short film, Hold Up, was awarded Screenwest’s Elevate 30 funding, and had its world premiere at CinefestOZ 2021.

Joining Cass in the Emerging Writers Incubator for 2021 are:

SA: Ansuya Nathan joins Closer Productions, supported by the SAFC
ACT: Sebastian Chan joins Bunya Productions, supported by Screen Canberra
NSW: Lâle Teoman joins Goalpost Pictures, supported by Screen NSW
QLD: Nicholas Lin joins Ludo Studio, supported by Screen QLD
VIC: Alberto Di Troia joins Tony Ayres Productions, supported by Film Victoria

Cass, Ansuya, Sebastian, Lâle, Nicholas and Alberto were selected from a national shortlist from hundreds of applicants.

Screenwest would also like to congratulate Western Australian screenwriters Penelope Harrold and Sukhjit Khalsa who were among 17 writers to make the national shortlist.

About the SBS Writers’ Incubator

The nationwide program was launched by SBS, in partnership with Screen Australia, state and territory agencies Film Victoria, Screen Canberra, Screen NSW, Screen Queensland, Screenwest and the South Australian Film Corporation, and with the assistance of the Australian Writers’ Guild. The initiative provides significant work experience in drama production in leading Australian production companies for emerging writers from backgrounds and with lived experience currently underrepresented in the sector. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; people who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; those who are living with disability; are female or trans/gender diverse; identify as LGBTQIA+; and people located in regional and remote areas.