by FilmInk Staff
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), in partnership with Screenworks, has named Happy by Agatha Ozdowska as the 2026 recipient of AACTA Pitch: Regional Landscapes, a national initiative supporting regional screen creatives.
The announcement was made at the Screenworks Regional to Global Summit, where AACTA’s Ivan Vukusic joined judges Deb Cox and Heath Davis to unpack the winning project, its creative vision and the role regional landscapes play in shaping stories with screen potential.
Selected from a highly competitive field, Happy impressed the judges with its captivating pitch and distinctive use of the Blue Mountains landscape, which plays a central role in the story itself.
Happy follows an albino joey who runs away to prove he is ready to leave his mother’s pouch. Joining forces with a fugitive boxing kangaroo, the unlikely pair must cross the deadly Blue Mountains, forcing both to confront what they’ve been running from.
This year’s judging panel brought together three acclaimed Australian screen practitioners. Deb Cox, screenwriter and producer behind SeaChange, The Gods of Wheat Street, East of Everything, and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, returned to the judging panel, alongside filmmaker Heath Davis, whose credits include Broke, Christmess, Book Week and Locusts, and Samantha Jennings, AACTA Award-winning producer and co-founder of Causeway Films, has produced globally recognised Australian films including The Babadook, The Nightingale, Talk to Me and Bring Her Back.
As the recipient, Ozdowska will now take part in further development and mentorship, culminating in a script development workshop at AACTA Festival 2027.
Agatha Ozdowska, AACTA Pitch: Regional Landscapes recipient, said: “I’m incredibly grateful to Screenworks, AACTA and the judges for backing HAPPY, an animated family adventure. With guidance from Deb, Heath and Sam, the initiative gave me the chance to interrogate and sharpen the story – an idea that started with one of Australia’s most familiar cultural symbols, the boxing kangaroo flag – and grew into one about what strength looks like, especially for boys growing up with a lot of mixed messages about it. It’s a story that sits at the heart of conversations a lot of families are having right now.”
Lisa Rose, CEO, Screenworks said “Congratulations to Agatha and her project Happy! The Blue Mountains backdrop is a prime example of regional landscapes inspiring depth and richness of story. This program continues to highlight the importance of uncovering new stories and voices from the regions. We’re excited to see the development of Agatha’s project through the support of this valuable initiative.”
Ivan Vukusic, AACTA’s Awards and Industry Development Manager, said “Happy! is a big screen family adventure that maintains its quintessential Australian charm while delivering an important and timely message. Congratulations to Agatha and thanks as always to our valued partners at Screenworks and to our amazing judges this year – Sam Jennings, Heath Davis and Deb Cox”.
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The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA), in partnership with Screenworks, has named Happy by Agatha Ozdowska as the 2026 recipient of AACTA Pitch: Regional Landscapes, a national initiative supporting regional screen creatives. The announcement was made at the Screenworks Regional to Global Summit, where AACTA’s Ivan Vukusic joined judges Deb Cox and Heath Davis to unpack the winning project, its creative vision and the role regional landscapes play in shaping stories with screen potential. Selected from a highly competitive field, Happy impressed the judges with its captivating pitch and distinctive use of the Blue Mountains landscape, which plays a central role in the story itself. Happy follows an albino joey who runs away to prove he is ready to leave his mother’s pouch. Joining forces with a fugitive boxing kangaroo, the unlikely pair must cross the deadly Blue Mountains, forcing both to confront what they’ve been running from. This year’s judging panel brought together three acclaimed Australian screen practitioners. Deb Cox, screenwriter and producer behind SeaChange, The Gods of Wheat Street, East of Everything, and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, returned to the judging panel, alongside filmmaker Heath Davis, whose credits include Broke, Christmess, Book Week and Locusts, and Samantha Jennings, AACTA Award-winning producer and co-founder of Causeway Films, has produced globally recognised Australian films including The Babadook, The Nightingale, Talk to Me and Bring Her Back. As the recipient, Ozdowska will now take part in further development and mentorship, culminating in a script development workshop at AACTA Festival 2027. Agatha Ozdowska, AACTA Pitch: Regional Landscapes recipient, said: “I’m incredibly grateful to Screenworks, AACTA and the judges for backing HAPPY, an animated family adventure. With guidance from Deb, Heath and Sam, the initiative gave me the chance to interrogate and sharpen the story – an idea that started with one of Australia’s most familiar cultural symbols, the boxing kangaroo flag – and grew into one about what strength looks like, especially for boys growing up with a lot of mixed messages about it. It’s a story that sits at the heart of conversations a lot of families are having right now.” Lisa Rose, CEO, Screenworks said “Congratulations to Agatha and her project Happy! The Blue Mountains backdrop is a prime example of regional landscapes inspiring depth and richness of story. This program continues to highlight the importance of uncovering new stories and voices from the regions. We’re excited to see the development of Agatha’s project through the support of this valuable initiative.” Ivan Vukusic, AACTA’s Awards and Industry Development Manager, said “Happy! is a big screen family adventure that maintains its quintessential Australian charm while delivering an important and timely message. Congratulations to Agatha and thanks as always to our valued partners at Screenworks and to our amazing judges this year – Sam Jennings, Heath Davis and Deb Cox”. AACTA Pitch: Regional Landscapes Recipient Package The 2026 recipient will receive a comprehensive development package, including:
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For more information, visit AACTA Pitch: Regional Landscapes.
Agatha Murphy, credited professionally as Agatha Ozdowska, is an Australian screen creative and writer with a background spanning feature film, television, animation, VFX and screen-sector development. Her credits include work with Flying Bark Productions, Dr D Studios, Animal Logic and Bazmark across internationally recognised productions including 100% Wolf, Maya the Bee 3, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Great Gatsby, Happy Feet Two and Legend of the Guardians.
Agatha has worked with Screen Canberra managing its Screen Investment Fund, supporting screen investment, project development and regional screen pathways across the ACT. Alongside this, she has developed her original storytelling practice through ProPath Screenwriting, working closely with Tim Albaugh – UCLA screenwriting professor and former Pixar Animation Studios instructor.
Happy, her animated hybrid family adventure set against the NSW Blue Mountains, follows an albino joey desperate to prove his independence and a fugitive boxing kangaroo with a dark past.
Agatha has worked with Screen Canberra managing its Screen Investment Fund, supporting screen investment, project development and regional screen pathways across the ACT. Alongside this, she has developed her original storytelling practice through ProPath Screenwriting, working closely with Tim Albaugh – UCLA screenwriting professor and former Pixar Animation Studios instructor.
Happy, her animated hybrid family adventure set against the NSW Blue Mountains, follows an albino joey desperate to prove his independence and a fugitive boxing kangaroo with a dark past.
