Screen Producers Australia (SPA) announced that applications opened today for Ones To Watch, SPA’s flagship professional development and mentoring program that has helped shape the careers of Australia’s most exciting early-career screen producers since 2013.
The program continues to offer the coveted and potentially career-changing $20,000 AUD Ones To Watch Screen Placement, proudly supported by Screen Australia.
Each successful applicant will be individually matched with an experienced SPA member mentor for personalised one-on-one guidance. Participants also gain exclusive access to a six-month industry webinar series, tailored to sharpen their creative, commercial and strategic capabilities in the lead-up to the 40th iteration of SCREEN FOREVER, Australia’s premier screen industry event taking place in 2026.
“Each year, our Ones To Watch program adapts to reflect the ever-evolving needs of Australia’s early-career screen producers. As applications open for 2025, we’re proud to once again offer this unique platform that empowers up-and-coming producers with the tools, insights, and connections they need to succeed. We look forward to discovering the next wave of producing talent and supporting them as they take the next steps in their careers,” said SPA CEO Matthew Deaner.
Grainne Brunsdon, Chief Operating Officer, Screen Australia, said, “Ones To Watch continues to play a vital role in developing Australia’s next generation of screen producers. Screen Australia is proud to support this initiative, particularly the Ones To Watch Screen Placement, which opens doors to meaningful, hands-on experience both locally and internationally. We look forward to seeing how the program continues to empower early-career producers and strengthen the future of Australia’s screen industry.”
The 2025 Ones To Watch cohort will be eligible to apply for the Screen Placement, designed to facilitate hands-on engagement with a production or production company anywhere in the world. Past recipients include Rae Choi (2024), Amy Parry (2023), Emma Roberts (2022), Jessica Magro (2021), Ljudan Michaelis-Thorpe (2020), and Rachel Higgins (2019).
Since its inception, the program has supported over 170 emerging and early career producers in fast-tracking their careers. 2023 alumna Amy Parry arranged a placement with Irish production company Trimoon, which participated in Ireland Connect, the second iteration of SPA’s Global Connect Program. 2024 alumni Rae Choi, Georgia Noe, Scarlett Koehne all recently progressed in the SBS & Screen Australia Digital Originals program, Joseph Meldrum recently joined NITV as a Commissioning Editor, and Shontell Ketchell is currently writing on the Australian version of BBC Studios Production of Ghosts Almuni Liam Heyen and Cyna Strachan from Mad Ones recently produced the feature Jimpa, directed by Sophie Hyde and starring Olivia Colman and John Lithgow, which premiered at Sundance in 2025.
2025 will see Above The Line Accounting and 3P Studio come on board as the program’s newest supporting partners, joining existing partners Screen Australia, Film Finances, Fulcrum Media Finance, Media Arts Lawyers, Media Super, SBS, and Screen NSW.
Applications for Ones To Watch 2025 are now open and close at 11.59pm AEST on Wednesday, 27 August 2025.
More information on applying and the Ones To Watch Program HERE.
Link to media release HERE.
Link to media image HERE.