Request for Applications: The Next Brilliant Career Program (Australia)

The Next Brilliant Career 2026 is an opportunity for emerging Australian writers who identify as women or non-binary to pitch an original screenwriting concept directly to Netflix. Selected participants will receive industry feedback, travel support to Sydney, and an opportunity to refine and resubmit their work for further written feedback.

About The Next Brilliant Career 2026

The Next Brilliant Career is designed to support emerging screenwriters and increase diversity within the Australian screen industry.

The programme provides selected writers with an opportunity to present their original work to Netflix executives and receive structured professional feedback. The initiative is particularly focused on writers who identify as women or non-binary and are building their careers in film and television.

The programme is delivered with the involvement of the Australian Writers’ Guild and Netflix.

What Does the Programme Offer?

Selected participants will receive:

• An opportunity to pitch their screenwriting concept directly to Netflix executives.
• Participation in the Netflix pitch day in Sydney.
• Professional feedback on their submitted work.
• An opportunity to revise their concept after the pitch.
• A second opportunity to submit the refined concept to Netflix.
• Final written feedback following the resubmission.
• Return economy-class flights or train travel to Sydney, depending on the participant’s location.
• Up to two nights of accommodation at a hotel selected by Netflix.
• Exposure to industry professionals and the Australian screen industry.

The pitch day is scheduled to take place in Sydney on 6 October 2026.

Participants can refine their concepts after the pitch and resubmit them to Netflix by 6 November 2026.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet all of the programme’s eligibility requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be an Australian resident and a resident of the Northern Territory according to Screen Territory’s Terms of Trade.
• Identify as a woman or non-binary.
• Have at least one and no more than three reportable writer credits.
• Have credits on a commercially released short film, film, or television series.
• Have their credited work screened at a recognised film festival and/or supported by a state or federal screen agency.
• Not be a full-time student.
• Submit an original work that they created and still retain all rights to.
• Submit only one application.

Group applications are not accepted.

What Type of Work Can Be Submitted?

Applicants must submit an original screenwriting concept that they created and have the legal rights to use.

The submission should demonstrate a clear creative voice and a strong potential for development into a feature film or television series.

The project should also demonstrate an understanding of:

• Genre expectations.
• Target audiences.
• Australian culture and relevance.
• Current screen industry opportunities.
• Character and narrative development.
• Commercial and creative potential.

Application Requirements

Applicants must prepare several components for their submission.

The application should include:

• Professional biography: Up to 150 words.
• Working title: The title of the proposed project.
• Logline: Up to 30 words summarising the central story.
• Intended audience: Up to 200 words explaining who the project is designed for.
• Genre: The relevant film or television genre.
• Cultural relevance and personal connection: An explanation of the project’s Australian relevance and the applicant’s connection to the story.
• One-page narrative synopsis: A concise overview of the story.
• Five-page screenwriting sample: A sample demonstrating the applicant’s writing ability and creative voice.

The submitted work must be original and owned by the applicant.

How the Selection Process Works

The selection process involves several stages.

1. Application Submission

Eligible writers submit their original concept and all required supporting materials.

2. Independent Expert Assessment

Applications are assessed by an independent panel of experts appointed and managed by the Australian Writers’ Guild in consultation with Netflix.

3. Shortlisting

The panel will shortlist up to five applications from each state or territory.

4. Netflix Selection

Netflix will select one participant from each state or territory, resulting in a total of eight participants.

5. Pitch Day

Selected writers will attend the Netflix pitch day in Sydney on 6 October 2026.

Participants will pitch their work directly to Netflix executives and receive feedback.

6. Concept Refinement

After the pitch, participants can revise their concepts based on the feedback received.

7. Final Resubmission

Participants can resubmit their refined concepts to Netflix by 6 November 2026.

Netflix will then provide final written feedback.

Travel and Accommodation Support

Selected participants travelling to Sydney will receive:

• Return economy flights or train tickets to Sydney.
• Up to two nights of accommodation at a hotel selected by Netflix.

Participants are responsible for other costs, including:

• Meals.
• Local transportation.
• Personal expenses.
• Travel arrangements not covered by the programme.
• Insurance.
• Other incidental costs.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated against several creative and professional criteria.

The assessment will consider:

• Clarity and distinctiveness of the applicant’s writing voice.
• Strength and originality of the central premise.
• Potential for the story to develop into a television series or feature film.
• Understanding of genre conventions and expectations.
• Australian relevance through characters, setting, themes, tone, or story.
• Identification of the intended audience.
• Understanding of the current screen marketplace.
• Potential contribution to diversity within the screen industry.
• Representation, themes, narratives, and diversity among key creatives.

Applicants should therefore present a concept that is not only creatively strong but also clearly communicates its audience, genre and potential screen format.

Why This Opportunity Matters

The Next Brilliant Career addresses barriers faced by emerging writers seeking greater access to the professional screen industry.

The programme is particularly valuable because it combines creative development, industry access and direct feedback rather than providing funding alone.

For selected writers, the opportunity to pitch directly to Netflix can provide valuable experience in presenting a project to industry decision-makers. The subsequent opportunity to revise and resubmit the concept also gives participants a structured pathway for improving their work.

The focus on women and non-binary writers also contributes to broader efforts to increase diverse voices and representation within Australia’s film and television sector.

Important Dates

• Pitch Day: 6 October 2026
• Refined concept resubmission deadline: 6 November 2026
• Number of final participants: 8
• Maximum shortlisted applicants per state or territory: 5
• Applications per person: One

Applicants should check the official programme information for the application opening and closing dates before submitting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should carefully check their submission before applying.

Common issues to avoid include:

• Submitting work for which the applicant does not retain the rights.
• Exceeding the specified word or page limits.
• Failing to provide a clear logline.
• Submitting a concept without a clearly defined intended audience.
• Providing a screenwriting sample that does not demonstrate the applicant’s strongest writing.
• Failing to explain the project’s Australian relevance.
• Ignoring the commercial and television/film potential of the concept.
• Submitting more than one application.
• Applying as a group when the programme requires individual applications.
• Applying while enrolled as a full-time student.
• Providing incomplete or inaccurate information about previous writing credits.

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong application should make the project easy to understand quickly.

Applicants should:

• Create a concise and distinctive logline.
• Clearly explain what makes the story different.
• Demonstrate a confident and recognisable writing voice.
• Explain why the story matters to Australian audiences.
• Identify the intended audience realistically.
• Show how the story could develop beyond the submitted sample.
• Choose a five-page sample that demonstrates the strongest writing.
• Ensure the genre is clearly identifiable.
• Proofread all submitted materials.
• Follow every word, page and formatting requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Next Brilliant Career 2026?

The Next Brilliant Career is a screenwriting development opportunity for emerging Australian writers who identify as women or non-binary. Selected participants can pitch their original work to Netflix and receive structured industry feedback.

Who can apply for The Next Brilliant Career?

Applicants must be at least 18, meet the relevant Australian residency requirements, identify as a woman or non-binary, and have between one and three qualifying writer credits. Full-time students are not eligible.

What type of writing experience is required?

Applicants must have 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 received support from a state or federal screen agency.

How many writers will participate?

The selection process will shortlist up to five applications per state or territory. Netflix will then select one participant from each state or territory, resulting in a total of eight participants.

When is the Netflix pitch day?

The pitch day will take place in Sydney on 6 October 2026. Selected participants will have the opportunity to pitch their work directly to Netflix executives.

What happens after the pitch?

Participants can refine their concepts following the pitch and resubmit them to Netflix by 6 November 2026. Netflix will provide final written feedback on the resubmitted work.

Does the programme cover travel expenses?

Yes. Selected participants will receive return economy flights or train tickets to Sydney and up to two nights of accommodation at a hotel selected by Netflix. Meals, local transportation, insurance and other incidental expenses are the participant’s responsibility.

Conclusion

The Next Brilliant Career 2026 provides emerging Australian women and non-binary writers with a valuable pathway to gain direct exposure to Netflix and receive professional feedback on their screenwriting concepts. The opportunity combines pitching experience, industry development, travel support and a structured resubmission process, making it particularly relevant for writers seeking to strengthen their position in Australia’s film and television industry.

Applicants should focus on presenting an original, clearly defined and distinctive story with a strong writing voice, identifiable audience, Australian relevance and potential to develop into a feature film or television series.