
15 11 2022 - Media release Screen Australia, NZ On Air and TikTok announce Every Voice 2022 recipients
(New Zealand Creatives L-R): Sonya Milford, Sherry Zhang, Litia Tuiburelevu, Vanessa Mei Crofskey, Noora Takairangi, Tane Wolfgramm, Tristan Valencia, Heather Pannowitz, K-Ci Williams, Regan Foa i, Liz Laupepa, Danny Aumua.
(Australian Creatives L-R): Ella Watkins, Gabby Mcleod, Naarah, Hew Sandison, Ally Morgan, Olivia Aleksoski, Hayley Adams, Jenna Guillaume, Vidya Rajan, Ryan Cauchi, Matt Ferro.
Eight teams of emerging creatives have been selected to receive funding through Every Voice 2022, a joint initiative between Screen Australia, NZ On Air and TikTok.
Now in its second year, Every Voice aims to support a new generation of Australian and New Zealand storytellers to develop Scripted or Factual content exclusively for TikTok.
Four teams from Australia and four teams from New Zealand have been selected, with each team receiving funding to cover the development and production costs for their projects. Teams will also participate in a two-day workshop in Sydney in December hosted by Screen Australia, NZ On Air and TikTok. The workshop will help the teams develop their projects, learn best practice for creating content for TikTok, and allow them to receive feedback from leading industry professionals.
Screen Australia's Head of Online Lee Naimo said, We were so impressed by the quality of applications this year showing the wealth of talented online creators across Australia and New Zealand who are pushing boundaries in the vertical scripted space. With the series from the first Every Voice initiative releasing to great response, we're excited to see the mix of projects from diverse and powerful storytellers, creating content from rom-coms and horror, to travel documentary and drama. Congratulations to the successful teams, we can't wait to work with them to develop their projects further in the workshop next month.
NZ On Air Head Of Funding Amie Mills said, It's been a privilege to team up with Screen Australia and TikTok for a second year of this unique and important initiative. Every Voice is a powerful pathway for new and emerging creatives from a wide range of backgrounds to make their mark in the screen sector telling their stories from their perspectives, and creating meaningful connections with their audiences.
Felicity McVay, Global Head of Entertainment at TikTok said, "At TikTok, we are truly passionate about providing a platform for emerging and diverse voices who can express themselves authentically and give fresh perspectives on the cultural diversity of Australia and New Zealand. It s fantastic to see emerging creatives receive funding through Every Voice 2022 - I can t wait to see these stories come to life and find their audiences.
Selected Australian projects:
Bad Locals: A 10-part documentary travel series which follows Ella and Naarah as they return to Tasmania to explore their island home. They will tick off all of the adventures they never got around to while they were living there such as abseiling, working on farms, bushwalking and more all while sharing their lives and experiences with the world. Co-created and written by Ella Watkins and Naarah, the hosts also take on director (Ella) and producer (Naarah) under the production lead of Gabby McLeod (Removals). Rebecca Thomson and Ursula Woods are attached as directors of photography.
Girl Crush: A 15-part scripted musical rom-com series that tells the story of a 24-year-old aspiring musician, Jessie, who spends her days working at the local indie cinema, ignoring her hopes and dreams and sinking deeper into her anxiety. One day she is tasked with training a new cinema employee: local indie musician Brianna. Already a huge fan of hers, training Brianna gives Jessie a newfound purpose until Jessie realises she isn't just a fan of Brianna s she's in love with her. Girl Crush will star Samantha Andrew and Ally Morgan, with Morgan also writing and co-producing. The series is created by the team behind the award-winning short film Her Own Music with Olivia Aleksoski directing, Hew Sandison development producing, and Carina Burke attached as cinematographer.
Greystanes: Set in Australia in the 1990s, this 15-part scripted horror drama series explores the supernatural events that ensue when a nightmarish creature terrorises a Maltese-Australian community. To rescue its victims and defeat the Gadajdu a slimy, humanoid predator from Maltese folklore Australian teenager Samantha and her older brother Marius must reconnect with their Maltese roots, which they have largely ignored. Greystanes is created by director Ryan Cauchi and co-written and co-produced with Matt Ferro.
Jaffys: A 15-part scripted drama rom-com series which explores how to find your place in the world when you're just another first year uni-student. Jaffys is told through two interconnected TikTok accounts belonging to Melbourne teens, as they navigate the transition from high school to Uni braced for new friends, lovers, experiences (aka parties), and much more. Jaffys is directed and produced by Hayley Adams, whose credits include TikTok series Scattered, which garnered over 2 million views and Love Songs with over 20 million views across both seasons. Written by Vidya Rajan and Jenna Guillaume, it was developed at Unless Pictures with Development Producer Sanja Simic and Executive Producer Meg O'Connell (Retrograde).
Selected New Zealand projects:
Ships in the Night: A 15-part Scripted BL (Boy Love) series that follows Manaaki, a 19-year-old M ori boy, and Johnny, a 19-year-old Asian boy, who throw caution to the wind and get to know each other over the course of a single night. Written and directed by K-Ci Williams (Ng ti Tamater ) and produced by Heather Pannowitz and Tristan Valenci
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
28/05/2026
Get fit for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with new SBS On Demand features for the ult...
28/05/2026
Six films, one unmissable collection. First Facts documentaries debut on 10 Stre...
28/05/2026
Emma Watkins brings all-new Emma's Dance Club to ABC Kids 28 May 2026
Emmas Dance Club. Image credit: Sarah Wilson.
The ABC, Screen Australia and Screen N...
26/05/2026
Three new kids' digital series set to hatch from ACTF and Screen Australia i...
25/05/2026
SBS announces exclusive TV broadcast schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026
21 May, 2026
Media releases
Luke Wilkshire, Tommy Oar, Andrew Redmayne, Sarah Walsh ...
22/05/2026
Statement regarding 2026 National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award for the late...
21/05/2026
2026 delegation for Partner with Australia (UK) initiative announced 21 May 2026
Screen Australia and Ausfilm have today announced the delegation for the 2026 ...
20/05/2026
From Gulkula to the nation: Yothu Yindi Foundation and NITV deepen national acce...
20/05/2026
SBS appoints David Fernandez as National Manager, Digital & TV Sales
20 May, 2026
Media releases
SBS has appointed David Fernandez as National Manager, Dig...
20/05/2026
First Nations Factual Co-production Development Fund launched to elevate Indigen...
18/05/2026
Delta Goodrem shines for SBS as more than 3.27 million Australians tune in for E...
17/05/2026
Delta Goodrem's Eurovision Eclipse marks end of a stellar run
17 May, 2026
Media releases
Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026
Relive every spellbinding mome...
15/05/2026
Joint Statement: News Bargaining Incentive
28 April, 2026
Media releases
The vibrancy of Australian democracy relies on the robust and open exchange of new...
15/05/2026
Call it Deltavision, Australia's through to the Grand Final of this year'...
14/05/2026
SBS Board appoints Jane Palfreyman Managing Director
13 May, 2026
Media releases
The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Board of Directors is pleased to an...
14/05/2026
Transforming bold ideas into market-ready productions: Digital Originals returns
14 May, 2026
Media releases
SBS, NITV and Screen Australia have announced ...
14/05/2026
Australia Uncovered Returns to SBS with Bold New Season Featuring John Safran on...
14/05/2026
Transforming bold ideas into market-ready productions: Digital Originals returns 14 May 2026
Top (L-R): Bronte Gosper (Musket), Mema Munro (Rogue One), Nathan ...
12/05/2026
One month to go! SBS reveals expansive FIFA World Cup 2026 lineup beyond the pi...
11/05/2026
You're not meant to look at an Eclipse, but you won't be able to take yo...
04/05/2026
It's Andrew! stomps onto screens this June 4 May 2026
The ABC and Screen Australia are delighted to announce that brand new preschool series, It's Andr...
30/04/2026
SBS & NITV LEAD NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2026 WITH LANDMARK GULPILIL DOCUMEN...
29/04/2026
Surgeon Dr Jasmina Kevric wins 2026 Les Murray Award
29 April, 2026
Media releases
Australia for UNHCR and SBS are proud to announce that Dr Jasmina Kevric...
23/04/2026
Apply now to join the 2026 Producer Delegation to TIFF: The Market 23 April 2026
Screen Australia, in partnership with Ontario Creates, has opened application...
22/04/2026
SBS names shortlisted brands for 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge
22 April, 2026
Media releases
National broadcaster also releases its second annual...
21/04/2026
Applications open for 2026 AISF and Screen Australia Writer/Director Virtual Ses...
20/04/2026
Register now - Market & Audience Department Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 11 February 2026
Screen Australia Head of Market & Audience Rakel Tansley
Talking to...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces funding for 44 documentary projects that reflect a s...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia appoints Tanya Phegan as Narrative Content Head of Development 17 March 2026
Tanya Phegan
Screen Australia has today announced the appointmen...
20/04/2026
Applications Open for Skip Ahead 11 19 March 2026
Past Skip Ahead recipients (L-R): Macfarlane Bros, Rainbow Bop, Lyanna Kea.
Screen Australia and YouTube Aus...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia empowers the next games generation, including new creatives fro...
20/04/2026
Official Co-production Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 26 March 2026
Image (L-R): Mix Tape, Michele McDonald, Flower & Flour.
Interested in international Co-pro...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces Narrative Content funding for 91 projects, including ...
20/04/2026
Production Infrastructure and Capacity Analysis (PICA) pinpoints four key workfo...
20/04/2026
Australians in Film and Screen Australia Announce the 2026 Participants in the T...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia relaunches website with new tools and improved user experience 16 April 2026
Screen Australia relaunches website
Screen Australia has relaun...
16/04/2026
SBS reveals all-star alumni team to celebrate 70 years of the Eurovision Song Co...
02/04/2026
SBS Welcomes Back Cup Fever! For The Biggest FIFA World Cup Ever
2 April, 2026
Media releases
Santo Cilauro, Ed Kavalee and a host of special guests retur...
02/04/2026
Truth. Power. Perspective: NITV's Flagship Current Affairs Programs Return t...
27/03/2026
NITV to broadcast farewell to Rhoda Roberts AO with special coverage and week-lo...
21/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnect highlights how we all deserve t...
21/03/2026
Statement regarding Rhoda Roberts AO
21 March, 2026
Media releases
SBS is deeply saddened by the passing of Widjabul Wieybal woman from the Bundjalung Na...
20/03/2026
Feast for cycling fans as SBS extends road cycling broadcasts to include all Gra...
19/03/2026
Silicon Valley satire The Audacity premieres 15 April on SBS and SBS On Demand
19 March, 2026
Media releases
From one of the writer/producers of Succession...
19/03/2026
SBS brings communities together at Bondi Pavilion for Harmony Week multilingual ...
19/03/2026
Clarification from SBS regarding Western Sydney expansion
19 March, 2026
Media releases
From an SBS spokesperson:
SBS wishes to clarify some media coverag...
19/03/2026
Techtel announces inctrl : web-based production control for content creators, co...
18/03/2026
Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture
18 March, 2026
Media releases
New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...
17/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnnect highlights how we all deserve ...