
30 08 2022 - Media release Untapped 2022 Participants Announced
Travis Akbar, AP Pobjoy, Alex Wu, Natasha Henry, Michael Hudson, Gina Song
Australians in Film and Screen Australia announced today the participants of the 2022 UNTAPPED development lab, a highly coveted annual online industry incubator for emerging Australian film and television talent.
The participants are:
Travis Akbar South Australia (horror feature Revelations)
Natasha Henry New South Wales (comedy series Custodians)
Michael Hudson Victoria (horror feature Unravel)
AP Pobjoy New South Wales (drama feature The Kin)
Gina Song Victoria (fantasy drama series Faye)
Alex Wu Victoria (drama feature Playtime)
Launched in 2021, UNTAPPED includes an annual series of masterclasses and an intensive online development lab for historically excluded and undiscovered Australian writers and directors. The program is presented by Australians in Film and Screen Australia. Supporting Partners include Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Screen NSW, Scripted Ink, South Australian Film Corporation and VicScreen. Industry Partners include Australian Directors Guild, Australian Writers Guild, Screen Canberra, Screen Producers Australia, Screen Queensland, Screen Tasmania, Screen Territory, Screen West and Screenworks.
From August-December this year the six participants, chosen from over 380 applications will be supported by leading Hollywood professionals to develop their projects, pitching and communication skills and general career strategy. Executives from leading US companies including Atomic Monster, Big Swing Productions, Blossom Films, Hello Sunshine, NBCUniversal Ojal Productions and Topple Productions will be joining the lab as mentors, as well as Script Consultant Pat Verducci and Pitching Consultant Ellen Shanman.
In two short years, Untapped has grown into a really engaged community of undiscovered writers and directors across the world who attend online Masterclasses by visionary filmmakers to be eligible to participate in the development lab. The Masterclasses this year included conversations with Marta Cunningham (Insecure), Destin Daniel-Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Silas Howard (Transparent) and Meg Lefauve (Inside Out).
This new generation of Australian storytellers are so exciting, and we wish to congratulate them all for their applications. AiF is so honored to be able to open doors here in Hollywood for not only the lucky participants, but anyone who attends the Masterclasses, said AiF Executive Director Peter Ritchie. Designed by US Industry Development Consultant Jennifer Kushner, this program offers a comprehensive and structured overview of how the US Industry operates.
Screen Australia, as always are an incredible presenting partner. Their support, along with all our supporting and industry partners ensures the long-term success of Australian storytelling globally.
Graeme Mason, CEO of Screen Australia said, Screen Australia is committed to helping Australian creatives take their distinct stories to the world and Untapped has proved powerful in supporting impressive new voices to make important connections in the US and be mentored by incredible talent. We can't wait to see them develop their projects further.
UNTAPPED is one of three professional development programs that Australians in Film and Screen Australia are presenting, including Talent Gateway and Global Producers Exchange.
UNTAPPED 2022 participants:
Travis Akbar - Revelations: (Horror feature) A Paranoia and religious superstition grow rampant in a Psychological Horror set in the 1700's about a group of contrarian strangers that are trapped in a church by a brutal storm, with a pregnant woman they believe to be carrying the Anti-Christ.
Travis is a Waljen man from the Wongutha First Nation of the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia, and was raised on Wirangu country near Ceduna, South Australia.
Natasha Henry - Custodians: (Comedy series) PEARL (Pasifika) lucks her way into a high stakes PR role at an art museum, just as the state government threatens to shut it down to make way for a sports stadium. To keep her job and the museum open, she must transform their ececntric director into a woke media darling, and push her moral and cultural compass to its limits.
Natasha Henry is an Australian-born Papua New Guinean screenwriter who is based in Sydney (Gadigal Land).
Michael Hudson - Unravel: (Horror feature) The worlds of two Australian families living across the street from each other collide after the disappearance of a teenage girl. In the wake of tragedy, they ll discover that it s not chance that has brought them together... but something far more sinister - a parasitic supernatural entity that feeds off family trauma.
Writer/director/producer Michael Hudson is a proud Bangarang and Yorta Yorta man from northeast Victoria.
AP Pobjoy - The Kin: (Drama feature) In the midst of writing their second novel to pay for their transition, non-binary author Bly's world is upended when they become the legal guardian of a fourteen year old boy after their estranged sister dies. With one transitioning gender and the other becoming a teenager, the two unknowingly enter a transformative adolescence together.
AP Pobjoy is a trans and queer ADG nominated writer, director and documentary-maker based on unceded Gadigal Land.
Gina Song - Faye: (Fantasy drama series) An aimless Korean American pageant queen must juggle the horrors of monster fighting, young adulthood, and college after a demon summoning leaves her with supernatural powers.
Gina is a screenwriter, journalist, and developer based in Naarm.
Alex Wu Playtime: (Drama feature) A psychology graduate in China starts a new job at a treatment facility for internet-addicted teenagers. Her desire to help leads to unintended conse
More from Screen Aus
12/05/2025
10 05 2025 - Media release Australian Filmmaker Lucy Mckendrick Set For Directin...
01/05/2025
01 05 2025 - Media release Screen Australia empowers 100 distinctive Australian narratives
All The Boys Are Here writer/director Goran Stolevski and It s All...
09/04/2025
09 04 2025 - Media release Screen Australia and ACTF Kids IP Incubator Initiative enters next phase
Kids IP Incubator recipients in Melbourne for the workshop...
01/04/2025
01 04 2025 - Media release Bus Stop Films' first feature Boss Cat to begin production in June
Boss Cat cast (L-R): Olivia Hargroder, Penny Downie and Juli...
06/03/2025
06 03 2025 - Media release Powerhouse Speakers named for Untapped 2025
Top (L-R): Jet Wilkinson, Michael Shanks. Bottom (L-R): Ryan O Connell, Megan Park.
Au...
20/02/2025
18 02 2025 - Media release Feisty Feminist Murder Mystery He Had It Coming Announced
Stars of He Had It Coming, Lydia West, Natasha Liu Bordizzo and Liv Hewso...
20/02/2025
18 02 2025 - Media release Screen Australia and Stan Announce New Comedy-Horror Series Gnomes
Gnomes writers Tegan Higginbotham and Paul Verhoeven, and creato...
05/02/2025
04 02 2025 - Media release Sanctuary Pictures Unveils Punk-Horror Feature Penny Lane Is Dead
Writer/Director of Penny Lane Is Dead, Mia'Kate Russell
Sanc...
12/12/2024
12 12 2024 - Media release Screen Australia, ABC and NITV announce Proper Loved Up Short Film Initiative
Short Film Last Drinks at Fridas from Pitch Short Bla...
21/11/2024
21 11 2024 - Media release Much-loved series Austin returns for a second season
Austin season 2: Ingrid (Sally Phillips), Julian (Ben Miller), Austin (Michael...
21/11/2024
21 11 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce new documentary series Eat The Invaders
Eat The Invaders: Tony Armstrong, Kirsha Kaechele and Vin...
21/11/2024
21 11 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce drama series The Family Next Door
Teresa Palmer as Isabelle in The Family Next Door. Photo credit...
20/11/2024
20 11 2024 - Media release Screen Australia, SBS and NITV unveil Digital Originals shortlist for 2024
Digital Originals recipients with Screen Australia, SBS ...
31/10/2024
30 10 2024 - Media release SBS, NITV and Screen Australia announce documentary series 2.6 Seconds
2.6 Seconds. Photo credit: Jesse Marlow.
SBS, NITV and Scr...
10/10/2024
10 10 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces $8.1 million of production funding for 15 projects
L-R: Love Adjacent director Louise Alston, Watching Y...
17/09/2024
16 09 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and Paramount Announce New Murder M...
11/09/2024
10 09 2024 - Media release Endemol Shine Australia and Screen Australia announce...
04/09/2024
04 09 2024 - Media release Screen Australia invests over $2 million in Australian Games Industry
Zodiac Mountain
Screen Australia has announced over $2 milli...
28/08/2024
28 08 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce four new children's programs
Andy Lee at Richmond Primary School with his nephews Freddy Mile...
22/08/2024
22 08 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces $3 million for 13 documentaries
We Are Jeni
Screen Australia has announced 11 documentaries through the...
19/08/2024
19 08 2024 - Media release Production starts on RFDS season three
RFDS cast. Photo Credit John Platt.
Pre-production on the third season of the Seven Network...
15/08/2024
15 08 2024 - Media release Maggie and Arthur return to the ABC for a second season of Mother and Son
Denise Scott and Matt Okine in Mother and Son
Fans of t...
06/08/2024
06 08 2024 - Media release Bruce Beresford's Film Overture starts production in Western Australia
Overture cast (L-R) Susie Porter, Luke Bracey and Bryan ...
17/07/2024
17 07 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and YouTube Australia announce Onlin...
12/07/2024
12 07 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce new comedy series Optics
Optics. Photo credit: Joel Pratley
ABC and Screen Australia have annou...
10/07/2024
10 07 2024 - Media release Shipwreck Hunters Australia back on the water for Season 2
Shipwreck Hunters Australia
Screen Australia and The Walt Disney Compan...
09/07/2024
09 07 2024 - Media release Applications Open for Digital Originals, and three new dramas coming to screens
(L-R) Moonbird director, co-creator and co-writer N...
30/05/2024
30 05 2024 - Media release Screen Australia, Australians in Film and VicScreen announce FUTURE VISION
Lee Sung Jin and Joanna Calo
Australians in Film, Scree...
08/05/2024
08 05 2024 - Media release Olivia Colman and John Lithgow Star in Sophie Hyde's New Project JIMPA
Olivia Colman and John Lithgow in JIMPA. Photo credit: M...
29/04/2024
29 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces James J. Robinson's debut feature First Light
First Light
Principal Photography is underway on Firs...
24/04/2024
24 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia celebrates Australian projects bound...
18/04/2024
18 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and Dynamic Television announce new Scripted Initiative
Savage River
Screen Australia and Los Angeles-based telev...
11/04/2024
11 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and Meta launch fourth year of First...
10/04/2024
10 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $2.3 million for nine documentaries
Guardians of the River
Screen Australia has announced nine doc...
21/03/2024
21 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $1.6 million in support of the games industry
Which Way Up: Galaxy Games
Screen Australia has anno...
18/03/2024
18 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and VicScreen launch new Screen Careers initiative
LTR Denise Eriksen, Esther Coleman Hawkins, Caroline Pitcher, K...
15/03/2024
15 03 2024 - Media release The Creators 2024 Participants Announced
The Creators program recipients. L-R Thomas Duncan-Watt, Vanessa Gazy, Sarah Lambert, Lea...
13/03/2024
13 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces dramas Critical Incident and Sunny Nights for Stan
Critical Incident: Akshay Khanna and Zoe Boe. Photo c...
28/02/2024
28 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $810,000 in development funding for 29 projects
Willy
Screen Australia has announced 23 feature fi...
27/02/2024
27 02 2024 - Media release Michael Ebeid AM appointed as new Screen Australia Chair
Michael Ebeid AM and Megan Brownlow
The Hon. Minister for the Arts, Tony...
21/02/2024
21 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and Australians in Film Announce App...
15/02/2024
15 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $560,000 for crew and gamemaker skills programs
Liz Keogh Palmer (Australian Production Design Guil...
13/02/2024
22 01 2024 - Media release Six Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US
Audrey, Birdeater, The Moogai
Six Australian screen projec...
12/02/2024
12 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and YouTube Australia Launch Skip Ahead 9
Uncovering Street Dance: Australia from Skip Ahead 8. Photographed by Ry...
08/02/2024
08 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce Bay of Fires is back for season two
Marta Dusseldorp as Stella in Bay of Fires
ABC, Screen Austr...
22/01/2024
22 01 2024 - Media release Five Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US
Audrey, Birdeater, The Moogai
Five Australian screen proj...
17/01/2024
17 01 2024 - Media release Brendan Cowell and Asher Keddie star in Screen Austra...
14/12/2023
14 12 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $6.9 million of produ...
12/12/2023
22 04 2025 - Media release Applications Open for the Creators Program
The Creators program
Screen Australia and the Australian Writers Guild (AWG) have annou...
11/12/2023
11 12 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces Talent USA: New York recipients 2023
Enoch Mailangi, Noora Niasari, Hannah Carroll Chapman
Screen Austr...