Australians in Film and Screen Australia have unveiled the latest recipients of the international development initiative, which has been revamped to help emerging writers and directors build sustainable global careers.

Five emerging Australian screen creatives have been selected for the 2026 UNTAPPED Development Lab, an international professional development initiative presented by Australians in Film (AiF) in partnership with Screen Australia.

The recipients are Victorian writer-directors Becki Bouchier and Carly Brand, Western Australian writer Leslie Hornung, New South Wales writer-director Joseph Meldrum and Queensland screenwriter Ellen Shanley.

Now in a revamped format, UNTAPPED has shifted from a project-specific development program to a broader career accelerator designed to connect emerging Australian talent with the international screen industry.

The initiative aims to equip participants with the skills, industry relationships and practical knowledge required to navigate an increasingly competitive global marketplace, with a particular focus on establishing connections in the United States.

The five recipients will each be paired with a leading industry mentor and participate in a curated series of sessions with Australian and international screen professionals. The program will also provide dedicated pitch coaching ahead of a concluding Talent Showcase, where participants will introduce their creative work, storytelling ambitions and career aspirations to industry executives.

Peter Ritchie, Executive Director of Australians in Film, said the redesigned program reflects the growing opportunities for emerging filmmakers to establish international careers.

“UNTAPPED continues to provide essential industry knowledge, access and skills-based development for Australia’s best emerging writers and directors,” Ritchie said.

“As we’ve seen this year with the phenomenal U.S breakout hits like Obsession and Backrooms there continues to be significant opportunities for new talent to break through internationally.”

Ritchie said the partnership with Screen Australia had enabled UNTAPPED to evolve into a more comprehensive professional development initiative.

“We have redesigned UNTAPPED this year to create a more robust professional development accelerator, one that gives emerging Australian creatives the relationships, insight and tools they need to build sustainable global careers.”

Screen Australia’s Head of International & Industry Partnerships, Harry Avramidis, said developing globally connected talent was essential to the continued growth of Australia’s screen sector.

“UNTAPPED equips emerging writers and directors with the necessary skills and industry insights needed to navigate a competitive global marketplace,” Avramidis said.

“Together with Australians in Film, we are proud to support this exciting new generation of creators whose ambition, originality and unique perspectives will strengthen Australia’s screen sector both at home and globally.”

The announcement follows the first stage of UNTAPPED 2026, which featured masterclasses with Australian screen creatives including Adrian Chiarella (Leviticus), Kalu Oji (Pasa Faho), AP Pobjoy (Homebodies) and Jasmine Yang of Glitch Productions.

Leslie Harnung, Carly Brand (Supplied)

Meet the 2026 UNTAPPED Recipients

Becki Bouchier (Victoria)

Singaporean-Australian writer-director Becki Bouchier has developed a body of work spanning comedy and drama, with an emphasis on female-driven storytelling.

A recipient of the SBS Emerging Writers’ Incubator, Bouchier spent 12 months as a staff writer with production company Sweetshop & Green, contributing to its film and television development slate.

Her short film Snapshot premiered at the Austin Film Festival and earned nominations from both the Australian Writers’ Guild and Australian Directors’ Guild. More recently, she completed Endemol Shine Australia’s Early Career Writers’ Program and worked in the script department on the third season of NCIS: Sydney.

Carly Brand (Victoria)

Melbourne-based filmmaker Carly Brand recently completed a Master of Film & Television at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Her short film Nice Jewish Girl made its world premiere at BFI Flare in 2026 before securing screenings at international LGBTQIA+ and Jewish film festivals, including OUTSOUTH, Rio LGBTQIA+, the UK Jewish Film Festival and SJSFF.

The film also received recognition at Indie Short Fest, including Best Student Female Director and an Outstanding Achievement award for Best LGBTQ Short.

Brand is currently developing a slate of narrative projects exploring themes of desire, while continuing to work as a producer and first assistant director across independent productions.

Leslie Hornung (Western Australia)

Perth-based screenwriter Leslie Hornung has accumulated credits across Australian film and television, including Mystery Road: Origin, The Twelve, Invisible Boys, Scrublands: Silver, Kid Snow and Whale Shark Jack.

He was selected for Screenwest’s 2024 Tele Navigator program with his original queer comedy-drama Daddy.

His previous projects include the award-winning documentary A Safe Space For All and the ATOM Award-nominated Open Up.

Hornung’s work draws on distinctly Western Australian settings and queer perspectives, with a particular interest in complex characters and stories that challenge conventional representation.

Joseph Meldrum (New South Wales)

Queer Ghungalu/Bidjara/German filmmaker Joseph Meldrum brings extensive experience across screen production, commissioning and development in Australia and North America.

His career has included roles as a commissioning editor at SBS/NITV, Acting Head of First Nations and Development/Investment Manager at Screen Australia, and Content Director at Screen Queensland.

His production credits include Secret DNA of Us, Gold Rush: Alaska, Peacemaker, Joy Ride and Midnight Mass.

Meldrum wrote, directed and produced his debut short film Maison in 2021 and was named among Screen Producers Australia’s Ones To Watch in 2024.

Ellen Shanley (Queensland)

Queensland screenwriter Ellen Shanley began her career in journalism and education before pursuing screenwriting.

In 2019, she completed UCLA’s Professional Program in Writing for Television, winning its competition for Best Drama Pilot.

She was subsequently shortlisted for the Australian Writers’ Guild’s John Hinde Award and selected for professional development programs including Queensland Writers Centre’s Scriptable and Playlab Theatre’s Incubator Writing Program.

Shanley has worked as a script coordinator on Rock Island Mysteries and Troppo, and contributed additional dialogue to the feature film Ruby’s Choice.

Her writing frequently explores stories through a sapphic lens, and she is currently participating in AACTA’s Queensland Creative Launchpad.

The 2026 UNTAPPED Development Lab continues Australians in Film and Screen Australia’s collaboration to support emerging Australian storytellers and strengthen their connections with the international entertainment industry.

Further information is available at Australians in Film.