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The Next Brilliant Career: Netflix Launches Nationwide Search for Australia's Next Great Screenwriter

MBC NAIDOC 2026

Business

03 August 2026
Australia

To celebrate the upcoming release of My Brilliant Career and the legacy of pioneering author Miles Franklin, Netflix ANZ, in partnership with the Australian Writers' Guild and Australia's eight State and Territory Screen Agencies, is today launching 'The Next Brilliant Career'.

The initiative 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. 

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 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:

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.

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."

Claire Pullen, Executive Director of the Australian Writers' Guild said: "We are proud to partner with Netflix ANZ on 'The Next Brilliant Career.' This valuable initiative aligns with our shared mission to foster diverse talent, champion authentic Australian stories, and create meaningful opportunities for our nation's emerging voices. Together, we look forward to uncovering the next generation of storytellers across Australia."

ENDS

Additional information:

Program terms and conditions: Download here

FAQs:

These FAQs are a guide to help you understand The Next Brilliant Career initiative before you apply. They don't replace the full Program Terms & Conditions, but help to supplement them. Please read the T&Cs in full before submitting your application.

What is The Next Brilliant Career?

The Next Brilliant Career is a development program from Netflix, launched alongside its series My Brilliant Career, in partnership with the Australian Writers' Guild (AWG) and the eight state and territory screen agencies. It's designed for emerging Australian writers who identify as women or non-binary, giving eight participants the opportunity to pitch an original story idea directly to Netflix and receive structured feedback.

Who can apply?

To be eligible, you must: (i) be 18 years of age or older at the time of application; (ii) be an Australian resident; (iii) identify as a woman or non-binary; and (iv) hold at least one, and no more than three, reportable writer credits on a commercially released short film, film or television series that has screened at a recognised film festival and/or been supported by a state or federal screen agency. Full-time students are not eligible. 

What counts as a “reportable writer credit”?

A writer credit on a commercially released short film, film or television series longer than 10 minutes that has either screened at a recognised film festival, or been supported by a state or federal screen agency. You need between one and three such credits to be eligible: no credits, or more than three, won't meet the criterion. 

For South Australia only, please note that a “recognised film festival” is defined in the South Australia Film Corporation’s Terms of Trade (see p. 11). 

When can I apply?

Applications opens at 00:01am on 4 August 2026 and close at 11:59pm on 18 August 2026. Late, incomplete or illegible applications won't be considered, so allow enough time to complete every required field before the closing date.

How do I apply?

Apply through the screen agency for the state or territory where you live: visit the applicable website as hyperlinked below and complete and submit the form by 18 August 2026. Applying through the agency that matches your state or territory of residence is part of the eligibility check, so make sure you're on the right one. Entries must be made to the state in which you currently reside, and to one state only.

My local screen agency portal isn’t working, how do I apply?

If you cannot access your local screen agency portal to apply, please email NextBrilliantCareer@organic-publicity.com.

Can I submit more than one application?

No. One application is permitted per person, and group applications aren't accepted.

What do I need to include in my application?

  • A professional biography (up to 150 words) covering your experience, aspirations and screen industry credits

  • A working title for your story

  • A logline (up to 30 words)

  • A description of your intended audience (one paragraph, up to 200 words)

  • The genre of your story

  • An explanation of the cultural relevance of your story, and your personal connection to it

  • A one-page synopsis of the narrative

  • A screenwriting sample (up to five pages in total)

Are there word or page limits I need to stick to?

Yes. Your biography should be no more than 150 words, your logline no more than 30 words, and your audience description no more than 200 words. Your synopsis should be one page, and your screenwriting sample five pages in total. These limits help keep the assessment process fair and consistent across every application.

What is the assessment process? 

Your relevant screen agency first checks your application against the program's eligibility requirements. Eligible applications are then reviewed by an independent assessor panel appointed by the AWG, which shortlists up to five applications per state or territory. Netflix reviews each shortlist and selects one participant per state or territory, eight in total, for the program.

What is the panel looking for?

The Assessor Panel and Netflix assess applications against a consistent set of criteria: (i) a clear and distinct writing voice; (ii) a compelling central premise; (iii) potential for the story to sustain a series or feature format; (iv) understanding of the chosen genre; (v) an authentically Australian sensibility in tone, character or setting; (vi) a clearly identified intended audience; (vii) awareness of where the project sits in the current screen marketplace; and (viii) how the project advances diversity, whether through on-screen representation, themes, narrative or key creatives.

When will I know if I've been selected?

Selected participants will be notified by phone and/or email on 28 September 2026. If you can't be reached by 5:00pm (AEST) on 30 September 2026, or you decide not to proceed, Netflix reserves the right to select another participant in your place. All participants will be confirmed by 2 October 2026.

Will I receive correspondence or feedback if I'm not selected?

Given the expected volume of applications, individual correspondence and/or feedback isn't provided to unsuccessful applicants. If you do not hear from us, you have not progressed in the program. 

What happens if I'm selected as a participant?

If you're selected, you'll be contacted by a Netflix representative on 28 September 2026 who will provide further details of the Pitch Day and help to coordinate the transport/accommodation logistics depending on where you live. In advance of the Pitch Day, you will also be asked to provide a high-resolution headshot. Netflix will announce all eight participants nationally and regionally. By submitting your application, you consent to Netflix and its partners publishing your full name and headshot as part of the announcement(s). 

What does a Program participant receive?

Participants are invited to a pitch day with Netflix executives in Sydney on 6 October 2026 (Pitch Day), where they'll present their story directly and receive in-room feedback. Depending on where they live, Netflix will arrange return flights or train travel and up to two nights' accommodation. After the Pitch Day, participants can refine their concept and resubmit it by 6 November 2026, and Netflix will provide final written feedback by 1 December 2026. For the avoidance of doubt, being selected doesn't guarantee that Netflix or its partners will develop your story, or provide funding or ongoing support.

What if Netflix is interested in further developing my story?

If Netflix is interested in developing your story, discussions and development will proceed through Netflix's usual channels and processes. 

Who owns the rights to my story?

You do. All intellectual property in your submitted work stays with you at all times. Taking part in the Program, including being selected as a participant, doesn't transfer any rights in your work to Netflix, the AWG or any screen agency. Netflix and its partners only have a non-exclusive right to copy, use and distribute your application for the purpose of administering and assessing the Program.

How is my personal information used?

Netflix and its partners collect and use your personal information to administer and assess the Program. Netflix may also use your details to contact you about future projects and opportunities. If you do not want to be contacted for any future projects and opportunities, please opt-out by emailing Netflix using the email address below. Netflix handles all personal information in accordance with its  privacy statement, which is available at help.netflix.com/legal/talentinterestprivacy. 

Can the Program be changed or cancelled?

Netflix reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, modify or extend the Program at any time.

Who can I contact if I have questions about my application?

If your question isn’t answered here, please direct your questions to NextBrilliantCareer@organic-publicity.com.