Script to Screen in partnership with US-based Catalyst Story Institute is proud to announce the New Zealand finalists selected to participate in the Storieroad International program.
Storieroad International program is focused on discovering content creators and advancing creative careers within the global episodic marketplace. Philip Gilpin Jr, Catalyst Executive Director explains “Creating pathways for storytellers to have their voices heard is the heart of Catalyst’s mission. For too long, too many artists have felt a lack of connection to our television industry, and this collaboration with Script to Screen is a solution that gives creators opportunities for advancement”.
Applicants had to be developing a series. It could be any genre, length or format and at any stage of development including development of subsequent seasons.
Catalyst’s team of industry professionals selected up to 10 finalists and semi-finalists from each participating country including New Zealand, and their projects will be in competition at the 2021 Catalyst Content Festival in Duluth, Minnesota. The finalists get a 12-month scholarship to Catalyst Story Institute where they get US-based industry support to progress their project. Philip said “the incredibly high calibre of shows submitted from New Zealand made it difficult to choose only ten, and it shows that the raw talent level in New Zealand is in the top echelon of the independent creative world.”
Jackie Dennis, Executive Director of Script to Screen said “we entered into this partnership to create international connections for the exceptional talent we have here in New Zealand – it’s wonderful to see so many of our stories stand out”. Ahead of the international market, the finalists will present their ten projects to New Zealand screen industry professionals at a special invite-only showcase.
List of Finalists :
(Pictured left to right above)
Agnes Peel-McGregor with Shadowodd
Ahi Karunaharan and Maile Daugherty with Serenade
Alyssa Stringfellow with Chloe and the…
Emma Slade with Night Vision
Jake Pitcher with Don’t Tell Mum
Kathryn Burnett with Sleeper
Mia Maramara with The Witch Doctor
Millen Baird with Darryl
Paula Whetu Jones with I DATE Rejects
Stephen Campbell with The Cove
More info about the finalists here.
List of Semi Finalists :
Alexander Behse with Sugar Alpha: BLUE SKY, BLACK DEATH
Donald Mayo with Please Don’t Break Anything
Fiona Armstrong with Constance
Gaylene Barnes with Tātai Whetū Trinity Sun
Jonathan Watt with Hard Knock
Kip Chapman with Public Affairs
Louise Lever with Revolt She Said
Millen Baird with Naki Blues
Paul Kalburgi with Second Time Around
Slavko Martinov with CLUB LIFE
Tony Moore with The Rash
Vhari Lennox and Elana Tkatch with Lottie’s Choice
This is a Catalyst Story Institute initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen and in collaboration with “The Innovation Station” at the U.S. Department of State and Careers in Entertainment founded by the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation.
The Auckland showcase is possible thanks to the US Consulate.
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Script to Screen has partnered with US-based Catalyst Story Institute to give New Zealanders the opportunity to participate in the Storieroad International program. This program is focused on discovering content creators and advancing creative careers within the global episodic marketplace.
Catalyst’s team of industry professionals will select up to 5 finalists and 10 semi-finalists from each participating country including New Zealand. Script to Screen will then present the 5 New Zealand finalists at a local showcase in Auckland in July 2021. The 5 finalists are also automatically selected to screen at the 2021 Catalyst Content Festival in Duluth, Minnesota. All finalists and semi-finalists will receive at least one meeting with a US-based industry professional/mentor. Applicants must be developing a series, it can be any genre, length or format and they can be at any stage of development.
Catalyst Story Institute runs the Catalyst Content Festival early October each year in Duluth, Minnesota. New Zealand 5 finalists receive 4 VIP passes to the festival but because of COVID-19 it is unlikely the finalists will be able to attend this year. However there will be a virtual festival. COVID-19 also means the meeting with a US based industry professional/mentor will be virtual. Semi-finalists meetings are always virtual.
The 5 finalists living outside of Auckland will have travel costs covered by Script to Screen to attend the local showcase. In the unlikely event it is possible to fly to Duluth, Minnesota for the Catalyst Content Festival in October, finalists will need to pay for their own travel and accommodation. Script to Screen has not sought funding for this because of the global pandemic.
Registrations Open Now: Registration is Free
Registrations Close: 15 April 2021 EST which is 16 April 2021 NZDT
Notification of Finalist: early June 2021
Who Can Register
Types of Content Accepted
About Storieroad International
Storieroad includes an international showcase aimed at advancing new voices & storytellers from 10 countries on 6 continents. Thanks to our partnership with Catalyst Story Institute this opportunity now extends to New Zealanders who will be represented in the showcase. Participants have gained jobs, signed with agents, sold projects, and made career partnerships through the Storieroad program.
About Catalyst Story Institute
The Catalyst Story Institute is an arts organisation and an annual festival gathering of artists and executives from around the world to celebrate outstanding independent narrative production. It is a step-by-step pathway of meetings, workshops, seminars, festivals, and social events designed to showcase your stories to the industry, advance your career opportunities, and grow your trusted professional network.
This is a Catalyst Story Institute initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen and in collaboration with “The Innovation Station” at the U.S. Department of State and Careers in Entertainment founded by the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation.
