MENTOR LA applications open and mentors announced

09 08 2018 - Media release MENTOR LA applications open and mentors announced

Top L-R Peter Saji, Yahlin Chang Bottom L-R Betsy Beers, Jamie Babbit

Australians in Film and Screen Australia announced today that award-winning executive producer Betsy Beers, (Grey's Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder), writer and producer of Emmy award winning series The Handmaid's Tale Yahlin Chang, Emmy-nominated director Jamie Babbit (Silicon Valley, Girls) and comedy writer and executive producer Peter Saji (Black-ish) will be the four US mentors, in the second MENTOR LA program, with application now open.

First launched in 2016, the bespoke career development program matches four mid-level professionals working in the Australian screen industry with US mentors to meet online quarterly, culminating in a trip to Los Angeles to meet their mentor face-to-face in the last quarter of a 12-month program.

With Hollywood and the wider international industry putting a focus on diversity and inclusion, AiF and Screen Australia are encouraging applications from groups currently under-represented in the screen industry. These include women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, LGBTQI and gender diverse people. Applicants must be Australian residents.

Kate Marks, President of Australians in Film said; The Australian screen industry is held in such high esteem internationally for its original and distinctive voices, so AiF is thrilled to be partnering with Screen Australia at a time when inclusion is such an important and key issue globally. Mentor LA is designed to empower creative professionals in the Australian screen industry.

Graeme Mason, CEO Screen Australia Mentor LA is a tremendous opportunity for Australian creatives to learn directly from some of the US industry's best. A huge thanks to Betsy Beers, Yahlin Chang, Jamie Babbit and Peter Saji for so generously supplying their skill and knowledge to this year's program, and I encourage applicants to put every effort into their application to stand out. Those selected for Mentor LA will undoubtedly get an experience of a lifetime, that will arm them with skills to work both in Australia and the US.

The first MENTOR LA was curated for mid-career screen professionals wanting to move to the next stage of their career and included mentor producer Bruna Papandrea (Mentee: Sarah Shaw), director and writer Stuart Beattie (Josh Tanner), production designer Deborah Riley (Felicity Abbott) and executive Eden Gaha (Breanna Roe).

Applications close 7 September 6PM (PST) and 8 September at 11AM (AEST). For MENTOR LA program guidelines, please visit australiansinfilm.org/mentorla2018 and for the application form, please visit australiansinfilm.wufoo.com

Media enquiries Megan Levy Schauer | US based enquiries

323 801 7460 | [email protected]

Courtney Mayhew | Australian based enquiries

61 2 8399 0626 | [email protected]

Media enquiries Jessica Parry | Senior Publicist

61 2 8113 5833 | 61 428 767 836 | [email protected]

Georgina Wills | Publicity and Event Coordinator

61 2 8113 1091 | 61 400 932 299 | [email protected]

All other general/non-media enquiries Sydney 61 2 8113 5800 | Melbourne 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]

LINK:	https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2018/08-09-men...
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