Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: This is an EOI for an invite to a Netflix Pitch Day Opportunity. Where required, Netflix will provide participants with travel support.
- Application opened: 4 August 2026
- Application closes: 18 August 2026
Program objective
The program is open to emerging writers across Australia who identify as women or non-binary and invites them to submit an original scripted concept for the chance to pitch it directly to Netflix and receive structured feedback in developing their story for screens.
One writer will be selected from each state and territory to attend a Pitch Day with Netflix in Sydney on 6 October 2026. Selected participants will present their story directly to Netflix ANZ executives and receive in-room feedback, with the opportunity to refine their concept and receive further written feedback afterwards. Travel and accommodation to attend the Pitch Day will be arranged for participants travelling from outside Sydney.
This program is administered by Screen NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Please see the Screen NSW website for the full Program Guidelines.
Applicants must:
- Be a NSW resident
- Be an Australian citizen
- Be over 18 years of age
- Identify as a woman or non-binary
- Not be enrolled as a full-time student
- Be an emerging screenwriter with at least one (1) reportable writer credit and no more than three (3) reportable writer credits*
- Submit only one application
- Be available to attend the Pitch Day on 6 October 2026 in Sydney, NSW.
Applicants that do not meet all eligibility criteria cannot apply.
*Credits must be on a commercially released short film, feature film or television series that has screened at a recognised film festival and/or received support from a state or federal screen agency.
Types of projects funded under this grant
The program is open to emerging writers across Australia who identify as women or non-binary and invites them to submit an original scripted concept for the chance to pitch it directly to Netflix and receive structured feedback in developing their story for screens.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Applicants must complete all required fields in the application form and provide the following materials:
- Contact details, including full name, email address and phone number
- Confirmation and evidence of program eligibility
- A professional biography outlining experience, aspirations and screen industry credits (up to 150 words)
- Details and supporting materials of an original scripted series concept, including:
- Working title
- Genre
- Logline (up to 30 words)
- Description of the intended audience (up to 200 words)
- A statement explaining the project’s cultural relevance and the applicant's personal connection to the work (up to 300 words)
- A one-page synopsis of the story
- A five-page screenwriting sample from the project.
Applicants may submit one application only, and all submitted work must be original and owned by the applicant.
Please note that this program is only open to individuals and applications from groups or project teams will not be accepted.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Start the application
Applications must be prepared and submitted via Screen NSW’s secure application portal, SmartyGrants.
Applications submitted using any other method will not be accepted.
Applicants must respond to all questions in the application form, provide all supporting materials, and submit their application by Tuesday 18 August 2026, 11:59pm AEST.
Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Applicants should download and review Netflix’s terms and conditions for the program prior to applying.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Netflix
Stage 1 – Eligibility assessment
Screen NSW will review all submitted applications to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and submission requirements for the program.
Screen NSW will compile a list of eligible applications which will proceed to formal assessment by an independent expert assessor panel.
Applicants that have been assessed as ineligible by Screen NSW will be notified via email within 14 days of this outcome.
Stage 2 – Independent assessment
Eligible applications will be assessed by an independent expert assessor panel appointed and managed by the AWG in consultation with Netflix.
The assessor panel will assess all applications against the following selection criteria:
- Strength and originality of the writer's voice
- Clarity and appeal of the central premise
- Potential for the concept to sustain a series or feature film format
- Understanding of genre, tone, pacing, story structure and character
- Authentic Australian perspective, setting or storytelling voice
- Clear identification of the intended audience
- Demonstrated awareness of the contemporary screen marketplace
- Contribution to diversity through themes, characters, representation or creative perspective.
The assessor panel will shortlist up to 5 applications from each state and territory, which will be provided to Netflix for final participant selection.
Support and contact
Screen NSW Industry and Audience team (industry@screen.nsw.gov.au)