Netflix today have announced the ‘The Next Brilliant Career’ initiate, in partnership with Australia’s eight State and Territory Screen Agencies, and the Australian Writers Guild to support emerging screenwriting talent with a new talent submission initiative.
The initiative, dubbed invites emerging Australian writers who identify as women or non-binary to submit original, authentically-Australian scripted concepts for the chance to receive invaluable feedback directly from Netflix in developing their story for screen.
It’s named after the novel “My Brilliant Career” written by Miles Franklin, prominent Australian writer and feminist. Now, My Brilliant Career is being turned into a TV series by Netflix, and ‘The Next Brilliant Career’ will continue the legacy of Franklin in searching for fresh Australian screenwriting talent.
Amanda Duthie, Netflix ANZ Content Director said: “Miles Franklin spent her career fighting for the right to tell her own story on her own terms. ‘The Next Brilliant Career’ is built on that same conviction. Australia has no shortage of extraordinary women writers; we’ve designed this program to welcome the next generation of bold Australian voices telling stories that resonate here and around the world.”
Eligibility and Process of the Initiative
Following application and eligibility check via the state Screen Agencies dedicated online portals, an independent Australian Writers’ Guild panel will shortlist applications. One finalist from each state and territory will then be invited to pitch their concept live at Netflix ANZ headquarters in Sydney in October, and will receive direct feedback from Netflix in developing their story for screen.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be emerging writers, defined as holding 1-3 reportable writer credits on a commercially released short film, film or television series productions longer than 10 minutes, that has screened at a recognised film festival and/or been supported by a state or federal screen agency
- Not be a full-time student
- Be an Australian resident
- Be aged 18 or over
- Identify as a woman or non-binary
- Be available to attend a pitch day in Sydney on 6 October 2026
Submissions
Applications open today 4 August 2026 at 00.01 and close 18 August 2026 23.59.
Submissions must include scripted stories that are authentically Australian, and include a brief professional biography, working title, logline, intended audience description, genre, an explanation of the work’s cultural relevance and personal connection, a one-page synopsis and a five-page writing sample.
Writers retain full ownership of their original work throughout the Program. Participation does not transfer any rights in a submitted story to Netflix, the Australian Writers’ Guild or any Screen Agency. Selection as a Program participant does not guarantee that Netflix will develop a participant’s story, or provide funding or ongoing support beyond the Program.
To enter, applicants should head to:
- If you live in South Australia, you can apply via the South Australian Film Corporation’s portal here: safilm.smartygrants.com.au
- If you live in Canberra, you can apply via Screen Canberra’s portal here: screencanberra.smartygrants.com.au/TNBC26
- If you live in New South Wales, you can apply via Screen NSW’s portal here: screennsw.smartygrants.com.au/thenextbrilliantcareer
- If you live in the Northern Territory, you can apply via Screen Territory’s portal here: grantsnt.nt.gov.au
- If you live in Queensland, you can apply via Screen Queensland’s portal here: screenqueensland.smartygrants.com.au/mynextbrilliantcareer
- If you live in Tasmania, you can apply via Screen Tasmania’s portal here: buildingtasmania.smartygrants.com.au/BrilliantCareer
- If you live in Victoria, you can apply via VicScreen’s portal here: my.vicscreen.vic.gov.au/apply-for-funding/
- If you live in Western Australia, you can apply via Screenwest’s portal https://screenwest.smartygrants.com.au/SWNextBrilliantCareerFY27
The judging process
Applications will be assessed on the strength and distinctiveness of the writer’s voice, the clarity and compelling nature of the central premise, and whether the narrative demonstrates potential to sustain a series or feature format.
Judges will look for a strong command of genre, an awareness of the current screen marketplace, and work that is demonstrably and authentically Australian.
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