SCREEN FOREVER back with a bang

19 NOV 2020

Screen Producers Australia (SPA) today launched SCREEN FOREVER registrations with a bang, announcing two award-winning international showrunners, both renowned for their adaptations of groundbreaking novels, for the event lineup.

First cab off the rank is Bruce Miller - creator, showrunner and executive producer of the critically acclaimed, Emmy, Golden Globe and Peabody Award-winning series The Handmaid’s Tale.

Based on Margaret Atwood’s trailblazing novel, The Handmaid’s Tale became an instant cultural phenomenon upon its release in 2017, with the recent third season racking up an impressive 11 Emmy nominations - including Outstanding Writing for Miller - and season four currently in production.

Miller is appearing in conversation with Fiona Williams, host and producer of Eyes on Gilead: A Handmaid’s Tale Podcast. The session will centre on adapting and expanding a classic story into a serialised narrative and discuss how the show echoes contemporary issues like gender discrimination, violence, nationalism and the climate crisis which have been amplified by the global pandemic.

The second international guest announced today is Sera Gamble, co-creator of Netflix phenomenon You and Syfy fan favourite The Magicians – both adaptations from bestselling novels by Caroline Kepnes and Lev Grossman respectively.

You has been seen by an estimated 40 million viewers, with season three scheduled to air in 2021, while The Magicians is the number one scripted show on Syfy, airing its finale in March of this year after five celebrated seasons. 

Gamble is appearing in conversation about the journey from the writers’ room to running the show on the set of cult CW seriesSupernatural and what it takes to progress established IP like You and The Magicians from script to screen.

Miller and Gamble’s sessions will be premiered at The Star Gold Coast from 16-18 February 2021 and be broadcast to delegates around the world via the SCREEN FOREVER digital platform. 

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk welcomed the latest additions to the 2021 program. 

“From Gilead to the Gold Coast, SCREEN FOREVER is bringing some of the world’s most acclaimed filmmakers and producers to Queensland,” the Premier said. 

“As the screen sector restarts and cameras roll on COVID-safe sets across the state, Australia’s flagship screen conference will be the place for screen professionals to collaborate. 

“We’re working hard to grow our screen industry to create more local jobs for Queenslanders. Events like this are crucial when it comes to building on our reputation as a world leader in this space.

“We look forward to welcoming all delegates in February, both in-person and online.” 

SPA CEO Matthew Deaner stated, “SCREEN FOREVER has a reputation for attracting world-leaders in content creation and Bruce and Sera are no exception. I trust both our on ground and online delegates will find their sessions inspiring, insightful and informative.” 

Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said the upcoming SCREEN FOREVER on the Gold Coast would be welcomed by local screen practitioners, excited by the stellar line-up announced today. 

“SCREEN FOREVER is the country’s largest screen conference and Screen Queensland is proud to support SPA in connecting the local screen industry with some of the biggest names in the business, from Australia and abroad, right here on the beautiful Gold Coast,” Ms Munnich said.

“Filmmaking is a collaborative enterprise and, after a year like 2020, it is affirming to see vital conferences like SCREEN FOREVER providing an opportunity for our homegrown practitioners to network, be inspired and connect with other domestic and international producers.”

Tickets for the event start at $300 are available in three tiers: 

  • Bronze - a digital pass to conference sessions only;
  • Silver - a digital pass to conference sessions and the SPA Connect market; and 
  • Gold Coast - an all access pass to digital and physical conference sessions, the SPA Connect market and networking events.

Registration is now open exclusively for SPA members here, with non-member tickets available from 9am tomorrow.