Join us for the upcoming sessions,
a very exciting four-part series.
Award-winning Australian screenwriter Catherine Smyth-McMullen has built a career that crosses borders — pitching and selling projects across the US, UK, and Europe. Now, she's sharing how you can do the same.
In this exclusive four-part monthly series, as a part of AiF’s Global Sessions, Catherine hosts conversations with top international industry professionals shaping the future of screen storytelling - from development all the way through to release. Meet the development executives, producers, sales agents, distributors, and marketing experts who turn creative ideas into global successes, and hear their advice for Australian creatives navigating today’s marketplace.
Each session delivers practical, actionable insights on moving projects forward, building authentic relationships, and capitalising on international opportunities from Australia - all essential skills for thriving in today’s global screen industry.
BONUS: Ask the best question during the Q&A for a chance to win an exclusive 15-minute post-talk chat with the guest speaker, as selected by Catherine during the session.
Finding The Story (Development)
Session 1 of 4
Guest: Kate Myers
Host: Catherine Smyth-McMullen
Wednesday, November 19, 3:00 p.m. PT
Thursday, November 20, 10:00 a.m. AEDT
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: $20 USD (per session)
How does developing stories for an international market actually work? Which stories travel internationally, and which ones don’t? And how can Australian creatives cut through?
In the first Inside Track session, Catherine will talk to Kate Myers, Head of Ridley Scott Associates Features in London, a development executive and independent producer with over twenty years experience, from indie UK feature films, to American remakes.
With a focus on current European and US markets, Kate and Catherine will explore the changing industry landscape, and how Australian writers and producers can give their pitches and projects the best shot on an international stage.
Guest: Kate Myers, Head of Ridley Scott Associates Features (UK)
Kate Myers - Head of RSA Features
Kate Myers, Head of RSA Features, is a feature film producer with more than two decades’ experience developing/producing in UK and Europe, in particular in working with directors and writers to bring projects to screen. Recent credits include Sony/SF Studios’ A Man Called Otto; previous projects include Birth for Jonathan Glazer and Snatch for Guy Ritchie.
Coming December
Selling The Story (Financing & Sales)
Session 2 of 4
Guest: Mark Gooder
Host: Catherine Smyth-McMullen
Wednesday, December 17, 3:00 p.m. PT
Thursday, December 18, 10:00 a.m. AEDT
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: $20 USD (per session)
You’ve got a great script, maybe some talent attached - now how do you get it financed? What’s an international co-production? What are pre-sales? And what is it that financiers and sales agents actually do?
Guest: Mark Gooder, Co President, Cornerstone Films
*Registration link coming in December
Coming January 2026
Making The Story Real (Production)
Session 3 of 4
Guest: Phillip Kobylanski
Host: Catherine Smyth-McMullen
Wednesday, January 21, 3:00 p.m. PT
Thursday, January 22, 10:00 a.m. AEDT
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: $20 USD (per session)
You’ve got the script and the finance plan. Your film is almost real. Now - how do you actually shoot it? Do you shoot in Australia, or overseas? And how do you balance creative ambition, with budget and logistics?
Guest: Phillip Kobylanski, President of Production, Valhalla Entertainment
*Registration link coming in January
Coming February 2026
Setting The Story Free (Sales & Distribution)
Session 4 of 4
Guest: Marc Wooldridge
Host: Catherine Smyth-McMullen
Wednesday, February 18, 3:00 p.m. PT
Thursday, February 19, 10:00 a.m. AEDT
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: $20 USD (per session)
You’ve finished the shoot. It’s looking great in post. It’s time to take it out into the world. But, how do you make sure people see it? Which projects cut through at festivals and markets? And how has the theatrical model evolved in the age of streaming?
Guest: Marc Wooldridge, Managing Director, Maslow Entertainment
*Registration link coming in February