Australians in Film and Screen Australia Announce the 2026 Participants in the Global Producers Exchange Program

The Global Producers Exchange, also established in 2021, focuses on strengthening the skills, knowledge, access and relationships necessary for Australian producers to succeed in the global market, and to attract investment and market partnerships for Australian scripted content.

Film Depot – Louise Smith – NSW

Founded by award-winning producer Louise Smith, Film Depot is a film and television production company based in Sydney. Committed to producing compelling stories, they believe that collaboration is the heartbeat of creativity, and we love working alongside writers, directors and artists, to ensure their vision remains at the centre of every frame. Louise was Executive Producer of Studiocanal’s Kangaroo, and producer of the TIFF-premiered documentary Whistle. At the ABC, she commissioned and executive-produced series such as Plum, Bay of Fires and Ladies in Black. Her producing credits include The End, The Square and the AACTA-winning Riot.

LateNite Films – Nicholas Colla – VIC

LateNite is an independent production studio committed to investing in emerging creatives with strong, unique voices, helping tell their stories in a creatively supportive and collaborative environment. Their work uses humour to explore outsider stories that are unmistakably human and straddle the line between light and dark. Credits include fantasy comedy The Wizards of Aus (SBS) featuring Guy Pearce, children’s adventure comedy The Legend of Burnout Barry (ABC), Munch Rexford: Legendary Poacher!! (Adult Swim), Ruby Rai P.I. (ABC) and the AACTA-nominated Rebooted, which had its world premiere at Annecy. Their work has been nominated for multiple AACTA, SPA, ADG & AWG awards. 

Mad Ones – Liam Heyen and Cyna Strachan – NSW

Mad Ones was founded by Producers Cyna Strachan and Liam Heyen in 2020. In 2026 Mad Ones released their first feature, Jimpa, directed by Sophie Hyde and starring Olivia Colman and John Lithgow. Jimpa had its World Premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Mad Ones are currently finishing their second feature film It’s All Going Very Well… written and directed by Tilda Cobham-Hervey and produced alongside Dev Patel’s production company Minor Realm, starring Cobham-Hervey alongside Academy-Award nominee Jonathan Pryce. Mad Ones also produced the award-winning short form series Latecomers (SBS) and are about to release Homebodies, which will premiere at Series Mania before going to air on SBS in March 2026. 

Magnetic Stories – Melissa Kelly – WA

Headed by Producer Melissa Kelly, Magnetic Stories is a Western Australian-based production company committed to producing screen content that engages, entertains, and enlightens audiences worldwide. The company’s focus is scripted TV series and feature films. Recent productions include the 12-part series Population 11 with Jungle Entertainment, the feature documentary Laura’s Choice, and the 6-part SBS Digital Original Iggy & Ace. Magnetic Stories’ productions have screened theatrically and at major international film festivals worldwide and won numerous Australian and international screen awards. The company won the Screen Producers’ Australia (SPA) Award for Breakthrough Business of the Year in 2017.

Máximo – Liliana Muñoz – NSW

Máximo is a Sydney and Los Angeles–based independent studio founded by Chilean-Australian producer Liliana Muñoz, developing premium scripted series with global appeal through international co-productions. The company champions ambitious Australian writers and strategically packages their projects with global partners, attaching leading directors and cast to maximise worldwide reach. Máximo’s slate includes Blood on the Ironwood by Kodie Bedford with FilmNation (Anora, Conclave) and SBS; Oh, Baby by Keir Wilkins with A+E Studios (The Lincoln Lawyer, UNREAL); and Stone Ponies by Dave Paterson with Mojo Global (Murder in a Small Town). Máximo produced the AACTA Award-winning ABC series All My Friends Are Racist with Hoodlum, which premiered internationally at Series Mania.

Speech&Drama – Nick Waterman and Meg Washington – QLD

Speech&Drama Pictures is an innovative Australian production company founded by award-winning filmmakers Nick Waterman and Meg Washington. Working at the intersection of film, music, and theatre, they are known for emotionally resonant, visually striking storytelling. Their film How to Make Gravy, inspired by the classic Paul Kelly song, earned a record-breaking 15 AACTA nominations in 2025 - the most ever for a debut feature film. With a diverse slate of projects in film, animation, and opera, Speech&Drama places the audience at the heart of everything, believing that artistic excellence and commercial success go hand in hand.