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 checks 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 commercially released short film, film or television series productions longer than 10 minutes that have 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 4 August 2026 at 00:01 and close 18 August 2026 at 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
- 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.
HOW TO ENTER
Applicants should apply through the relevant Screen Agency portal for their state or territory:
South Australia
South Australian Film Corporation
safilm.smartygrants.com.au
Australian Capital Territory
Screen Canberra
screencanberra.smartygrants.com.au/TNBC26
New South Wales
Screen NSW
screennsw.smartygrants.com.au/thenextbrilliantcareer
Northern Territory
Screen Territory
grantsnt.nt.gov.au
Queensland
Screen Queensland
screenqueensland.smartygrants.com.au/mynextbrilliantcareer
Tasmania
Screen Tasmania
buildingtasmania.smartygrants.com.au/BrilliantCareer
Victoria
VicScreen
my.vicscreen.vic.gov.au/apply-for-funding/
Western Australia
Screenwest
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.
AMANDA DUTHIE, NETFLIX ANZ CONTENT DIRECTOR
“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
“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.”