That's a wrap!
Since 1985, the conference has championed the talent, passion and achievements of the Australian screen industry, providing a vital forum for discussion and debate on the issues and challenges that affect all screen businesses.
For our final year in Melbourne we were excited to welcome 915 delegates from across every state and territory of Australia - plus international guests from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Israel - for one of our biggest events on record.
Over three days we dissected the topic of 'Storytelling in a Time of Evolution' across 50 keynote addresses, panel discussions, networking events, in conversations, meet the buyers sessions and immersive media showcases.
We thank our 130 speakers, moderators and session producersfor sharing their insights into the worlds of feature film, television, factual, younger audience content and documentary. We trust that all of our attendees walked away illuminated, inspired and connected to the wider content making community.
We ask that you take the following short 4 minute survey to help us continue to meet the needs of the industry. Every entry goes in the running to win 1 of 2 Gold Passes for SCREEN FOREVER 2020.
See you on the Gold Coast from 17 - 19 November 2020!
Read on for exclusive access to transcripts, videos and imagesfrom this year's event - we encourage you to join the conversation on social media using #SCREENFOREVER.
Day One
Day One of SCREEN FOREVER was jam packed with Matthew Deaner (CEO, SPA) reminding us of the export potential of our industry, while The Hon Paul Fletcher MP (Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts) reiterated the Government's support for our culturally and economically important sector.
The illuminating discussions continued, with ABC's Q&A Live tackling the topic of 'The Politics of Storytelling', while Paul Anderson (CEO, Network 10) addressed the broadcaster's evolving strategy in an ever-changing industry.
The day closed with networking and celebrations at the ever-popular Opening Night Drinks, presented in partnership with Netflix for the second year in a row.
Day Two
Day Two got off to an inspirational start with CAAMA receiving the MediaRING Award at the annual MediaRING Breakfast. What followed was a full day of insights into international perspectives (including sessions with Karen Palmer (Storyteller from the Future), Jackie Edwards (Head of Young Audiences Content Fund, BFI), Lisa Hamilton Daly (Director of Original Series, Netflix) and Dan Jinks (Producer, American Beauty)) and the local landscape (including in conversations with the ABC and Stan and a new take on Meet the Buyers classified by genre).
SPA Connect began with gusto, with over 50 domestic and international producers, state agencies and production services businesses hosting Roundtables. After a rousing Hector Crawford Memorial Lecture by Rachel Griffiths, we celebrated timeless stories and unforgettable music with our Official Music Partner at the Audio Network-ing Hour.
Day Three
Last but certainly not least, Day Three shone a light on innovative storytelling methods such as Virtual Production and Vertical Content and continued the discourse with our international guests (including Becky Read (Producer, Three Identical Strangers), Clelia Mountford (Co-Founder, Merman), Kelly Wright (SVP Distribution and New Business at Keshet International) and Brown Johnson (EVP and Creative Director, Sesame Workshop).
Ready, Steady, Pitch! was once again the place to conduct screen business, with 40 hosts accepting pitches across a variety of genres and platforms.
Ending the week on a high, Matchbox Pictures was named the recipient of the SDIN Award, while 21 individuals and businesses were honoured at the 19th Annual SPA Awards. Among their many wins on the night, Ludo Studio took home the Media Super Production Business of the Year award and shared the win for Screen Business Export of the Year with Porchlight Films. Australian screen industry veteran Anni Browning was honoured with this year's Lifetime Achievement Award.
Finally, a huge thank you to our new partner Amazon Prime Video for helping us to party the night away at the SCREEN FOREVER Gala Party.
