by FIlmInk Staff
Australians in Film (AiF), in partnership with Screen Australia, has today announced the return of its flagship talent development initiative, UNTAPPED, for 2026.
Now entering its sixth year, UNTAPPED has established itself as one of Australia’s leading pathways for emerging screen talent, connecting the country’s most promising filmmakers with world-class industry knowledge, mentorship, and creative networks.
This year’s Masterclass Series will spotlight a remarkable group of Australian screen creatives who have achieved breakthrough success with their original work over the past year—some of whom are alumni of the UNTAPPED program.
The 2026 UNTAPPED Masterclass speakers include:
- Adrian Chiarella, whose debut feature Leviticus premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was acquired by Neon for U.S. distribution. The film opened in Australia and the United States last week.
- Kalu Oji (UNTAPPED 2021), whose debut feature film Pasa Faho had its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival in 2025 and is currently streaming on SBS On Demand.
- AP Pobjoy (UNTAPPED 2022), whose debut series Homebodies premiered at Series Mania in France in 2026. A Screen Australia and SBS Digital Original, the series is currently streaming on SBS On Demand.
- Jasmine Yang, is the Development Executive for Glitch Productions, an independent animation studio based in Sydney, Australia that just released The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act which has grossed over $37.6 million globally.
The theme of this year’s Masterclass Series is Creative Collaboration, exploring the partnerships and creative relationships that help bring compelling screen stories to life.
Additional creative collaborators joining the speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Combining open-call masterclasses—available to anyone wishing to learn from some of Australia’s most exciting screen creatives—with an intensive development lab for a select group of filmmakers chosen through a competitive application process, UNTAPPED provides participants with current global market insights, industry expertise, and invaluable opportunities for mentorship, inspiration, and community-building.
For the first time, the 2026 development lab will focus on professional and career development rather than the advancement of specific projects, equipping participants with the skills, knowledge, and industry connections needed to build sustainable careers in the screen industry.
Over the past five years, UNTAPPED has developed a proven track record of helping launch the careers of Australia’s next generation of screen storytellers. Alumni from both the Masterclass Series and Development Lab have gone on to make their first feature films, secure television commissions, advance projects into production and development, and gain their first professional opportunities within the screen industry.
Australians in Film Executive Director Peter Ritchie said: “What began as an initiative during the COVID pandemic has evolved into a highly meaningful international talent development pathway for Australia’s most exciting emerging screen creatives. This year’s Masterclass lineup perfectly reflects what UNTAPPED is all about—discovering, nurturing and championing bold new voices whose stories will resonate with audiences around the world.
“We are incredibly grateful to all of our Masterclass speakers for generously sharing their experiences and insights, and to Screen Australia for their continued commitment to supporting the next generation of Australian screen talent through this important initiative.”
Screen Australia Head of International & Industry Partnerships Harry Avramidis said: “Since its launch in 2020, UNTAPPED has consistently showcased the depth, diversity and originality of Australian storytelling, helping to fast-track bold new talent. It supports emerging storytellers to find their voice, maintain their authenticity, share their perspectives and build the communities and partnerships that are the pillars of not only successful individual careers but a strong and sustainable Australian screen industry.
“It’s particularly exciting to see former UNTAPPED alumni return as masterclass speakers – now recognised among Australia’s most exciting storytellers – alongside other distinguished creative visionaries who are challenging industry norms, forging new pathways and reshaping the screen landscape. We’re deeply grateful to all of our speakers, and to Australians in Film for their partnership.”
Applications and registrations for UNTAPPED 2026 open now.
For more information about UNTAPPED 2026, please visit: https://australiansinfilm.org/
About Australians in Film
Australians in Film (AiF) is a Los Angeles-based non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing Australian screen talent internationally. Through education, professional development, networking and mentorship opportunities, AiF supports Australian creatives at every stage of their careers and helps build meaningful connections between Australia and the global entertainment industry.
About Screen Australia
Screen Australia is the Australian Federal Government agency charged with supporting the development, production and promotion of Australian narrative, documentary and children’s content, across television, feature films, online and games. Screen Australia also administers Australia’s Official Co-production program, in addition to the Producer Offset incentive. The agency provides a broad range of resources and opportunities to the industry including access to research, market intelligence and special initiatives. For more information visit https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/
Bios
Adrian Chiarella
Adrian is an award-winning Australian screenwriter and director. His debut feature, Leviticus, premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, where it was acquired by NEON. The film was also the Opening Night selection at the 2026 New Directors/New Films Festival at Lincoln Centre/MoMa, as well as playing in competition at the 2026 Sydney Film Festival. The film, alongside screenings at SXSW, Frameline, NewFest and SXSW London, opens in the US and Australia in June 2026. Adrian’s television directing credits include Totally Completely Fine (Fremantle Media, 2023) and Five Bedrooms (Hoodlum Entertainment/Paramount+, 2023), as well as television writing credits on Erotic Stories (SBS) for which he won an AWGIE Award for his work. Adrian’s short films have also played numerous international festivals, including Clemont-Ferrand, Sydney Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival and Outfest, and earned him nominations from both AACTA and the Australian Directors Guild.
AP Pobjoy
Named one of Inside Film’s Rising Talent, AP Pobjoy is an award-winning, ADG-nominated writer/director based in Gadigal Land. AP is the creator, lead writer, and one of the directors of drama series Homebodies (SBS), which premiered in competition at Series Mania 2026.
It was one of only two Australian works selected for the festival, receiving a Special Mention in the Short Form category and praised as a Global Breakout by Deadline. AP wrote and directed the series Unerased, nominated for SPA’s Online Series Production of the Year, and the documentary Why Did She Have To Tell The World?, which earned an ADG nomination, won Best Film at the Mardi Gras Film Festival’s My Queer Career, and was nominated for the Iris Prize. Their work has been recognised by The Guardian, The Age, Stronger Than Fiction, RUUSH Magazine, and Global Citizen. AP’s work explores family, memory, transformation and identity through character-driven storytelling.
Kalu Oji
Kalu Oji is a filmmaker and educator whose practice is rooted in process-driven collaboration and the exploration of memory, place, and identity. Working in film and television for over a decade, his projects have screened at major international film festivals including the BFI London Film Festival, Palm Springs ShortFest, Sydney Film Festival, and the Atlanta Film Festival, where in 2019 he was named the ‘Filmmaker to Watch’. His debut feature film Pasa Faho premiered at the 2025 Melbourne International Film Festival to sold-out audiences, before going on to screen at the Chicago International Film Festival, Glasgow Film Festival, and the Africa International Film Festival, where it was awarded Best International Feature Film. In early 2026, Pasa Faho completed a national theatrical tour of Australia and is now available for streaming via SBS On Demand. Kalu is currently in development with his sophomore feature film.
Jasmine Yang
Jasmine is the Development Executive for Glitch Productions, an independent animation studio based in Sydney, Australia that just released The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act which grossed over $37.6 million globally. Having grown with the company since close to its inception, she has overseen every single series, product, and project, working across creative development, scripting, voice acting direction, marketing, merchandise, and distribution. In her private life, she is a prolific tabletop gaming writer, and amateur voice actor herself.
