Have thoughts to share about this episode, Screen Forever, or anything else happening in the industry?

Join Loani, Aven, Robbie and Kirsty this Thursday 2nd June at 8:30pm for our monthly Instagram Live: https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast

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Robbie and Kirsty catch up to discuss everything that happened in the industry in June, from the release of “YouTube feature films” Backrooms, Obsession and our very own Australian contribution The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act.

They also explore the question of fair pay for crew on independent feature films, and break down May’s record Australian box office takings.

Plus, a Sydney Film Festival wrap-up, what we’ve both been watching in cinemas, productions currently shooting around Australia, and more!

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Links to topics mentioned in this episode:

• The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act - Australian YouTube phenomenon just beat Star Wars at the box office: https://thenightly.com.au/culture/film/the-amazing-digital-circus-the-last-act-australian-youtube-phenomenon-just-beat-star-wars-at-the-box-office-c-22403900
• ‘Obsession’ Art Director Calls for Industry Reform After Getting Paid Less Than $7,000 as Film Nears $175 Million: https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/movies/obsession-art-director-salary-complaint-sally-choi
• Australian Box Office Posts Biggest May Results of All Time: https://au.variety.com/2026/film/news/australian-box-office-posts-biggest-may-results-of-all-time-37185/
• Netflix Originals and Cultural Memory: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cinema-netflix-streamingwars-share-7466148857072992256-MPHC/
• Kate Separovich’s fabulous Australia in Cinemas blog: https://australiaincinemas.substack.com/

Past episodes of We Interrupt This Broadcast we mentioned:

• Jasmine Yang (The Amazing Digital Circus): https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes?grid1-dialog=recVN5R4R020S0EKn
• David Hutchinson (Boy and Dragon): https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes?grid1-dialog=recofZdKYcJcZV9aB
• Mike Schwarz (Beast): https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes?grid1-dialog=recfh66GZCH5cBHit

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If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple or give us 5 stars on Spotify to help us spread the word.

This episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast was hosted and edited by Robbie Miles and Kirsty Stark.

Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Robbie Miles speaks with producer and director Michael Schwartz of Deeper Water Films about the realities of packaging films, attaching cast, navigating Hollywood agencies and building a sustainable producing career.

From his unconventional entry into producing through to working with talent including Sam Worthington, Russell Crowe and Luke Bracey, Mike shares hard-earned lessons about getting projects made in an industry where persistence matters as much as creativity.

Listen to hear Michael talk about:

Why “every film wants to die” and what it takes to keep them alive

Building access, credibility and long-term industry relationships

Packaging films and attaching cast in the independent marketplace

Working with agents, sales companies and financiers

Lessons from projects that almost got made, and why some didn’t

Listen to Episode 62 on Spotify, YouTube or Apple Podcasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast.

Further information after listening to the episode:

• Beast (2026): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7708226/

• Michael Schwarz imdb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3751903/

This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by Robbie Miles.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and we’d love you to forward this episode to a friend!

Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

In this episode, Kirsty Stark speaks with Ian Murray, Founder of 113 Partners, about private investment for feature films, and what investors in Australia are looking for when they invest in a project or slate.

Ian discusses the challenges of finding private investment, what we can do to make our industry more investable, and where to find potential investors if you don’t have rich parents or friends.

Listen to hear Ian talk about:

• How production businesses can benefit from strategic planning
• The importance of financial stability in your business
• Why private investment is vital in the current feature film landscape
• Private finance in the screen industry
• Slate financing vs. individual project financing
• Challenges in attracting Private Investment
• The three types of investors in film projects
• Opportunities for private investment in Australia
• Bridging the gap between producers and investors
• Audience-centric pitching
• Financial literacy for producers
• Screen Australia’s soon to be released Private Investment Toolkit

Listen to Episode 61 on Spotify, YouTube or Apple Podcasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast.

Further information after listening to the episode:

113 Partners: https://www.113partners.com

Ian Murray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/icmurray

Ian’s book, Learning the Language: A Guide to Private Investment in Australian Film (released today!): https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/1764660803/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1

Screen Australia’s Private Investment Toolkit will be released soon, and we’ll update the episode show notes on all platforms once it’s available.

This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by Kirsty Stark.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and we’d love you to forward this episode to a friend!

Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

In this episode, Aven Yap speaks with Showrunner David Hutchinson about creating hit kids animated YouTube series Boy & Dragon, which has surpassed 6 billion views and 7 million subscribers.

David dives deep into the creative process, industry insights, and the evolution of kids' content on YouTube.

Listen to hear David talk about:

Creating successful kids’ content on YouTube

The creative process developing and producing Boy & Dragon

Industry evolution and audience engagement strategies

Creative process and storytelling in animation

Listen to Episode 60 on ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast.

Further information after listening to the episode:

Boy and Dragon YouTube Channel

TeamFalco

David Hutchinson on LinkedIn

This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by Aven Yap.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and we’d love you to forward this episode to a friend!

Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

In this episode, Loani Arman speaks with Jodie Bell, CEO of Goolarri Media Enterprises and Ramu Productions in Broome, Western Australia, about what it really takes to build a First Nations media organisation from the ground up - and keep it there.

For 35 years Goolarri has been doing something the Australian screen industry still hasn’t figured out - owned by community, accountable to community, telling stories on its own terms.

They talk about what it really means to keep IP in First Nations hands, what community accountability looks like when the people you’re making stories about are your neighbours, and why this work is an essential service, not a nice to have.

They also get into the nuts and bolts about shooting in Broome, building a pipeline of First Nations talent, and what the wider industry needs to do to be a genuine partner rather than just a gatekeeper.

Listen to hear Jodie discuss:

Why IP ownership matters as much as who directs and writes.

What community accountability really looks like on a production.

What shooting on a guerrilla crew teaches you that a full crew can’t.

Why NITV needs more funding and what you can do about it.

Building a pipeline of First Nations talent from Broome.

Listen to Episode 59 on ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠YouTube⁠ or ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast.

Further information after listening to the episode:

Goolarri Media website: https://goolarri.com

Goolarri Media on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GoolarriMedia

Goolarri Media on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goolarrimedia

Goolarri Media on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoolarriMediaEnterprises

Ramu Productions on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramuproductions

Ramu Productions on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ramuproductionsbroome

Jodie Bell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-bell-2b884510

Watch ‘Warm Props’ on SBS: https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/warm-props

Watch ‘Yokai’ on ABC Indigenous: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PjF21eV3FY

This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by Loani Arman.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and we’d love you to forward this episode to a friend!

Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Have your own thoughts to share about this episode or anything else happening in the industry?

Join Loani, Aven, Robbie and Kirsty this Thursday 28th May at 8:30pm for our second Instagram Live: https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast

In this monthly round-up episode, Robbie and Aven discuss Screen Well’s new Mental Health Action Plan and why conversations around leadership, safety and sustainability in production are more important than ever.

They also explore the rapid rise of creator-led distribution, from TikTok micro-dramas to YouTube series, and what this shift means for traditional development cycles.

Plus federal budget updates for the sector, key industry moves and opportunities, productions shooting around Australia, and the changing ways creatives are building audiences before projects even get financed.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Screen Well Mental Health Action Plan: https://www.screenwell.com.au/mhap

Issa Rae Microdrama Article: https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/issa-rae-microdrama-screen-time-ratings-viewership-tiktok-pinedrama-exclusive/

Screenworks Regional-to-Global: https://screenworks.com.au/

NFSA appoints Zareh Nalbandian to board: https://www.nfsa.gov.au/about/people/board

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If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple or give us 5 stars on Spotify to help us spread the word.

This episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast was hosted by Aven Yap and Robbie Miles.

Join the conversation about Episode 58 on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠, or submit your own Big Idea to shape the industry at ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Have industry news, upcoming events or productions to share? Want to sponsor the podcast? Let us know at [email protected]

Fresh off of winning Tropfest 2026 with her short film Crescendo and taking home the Rebel8 Award for Most Outstanding Emerging Female Director at Flickerfest for Tuesday Tuesday, Lianne Mackessy reveals her process and reflects on the experiences that have shaped her creative voice.

She chats to Robbie Miles to explore the pressures of creative ambition, motherhood and hustle culture, the importance of emotional truth in storytelling, and how working-class voices remain underrepresented behind the camera in the Australian screen industry.

Listen to hear Lianne discuss:

Why life experience is essential to storytelling

The transition from acting into writing and directing

Making Crescendo under the tight deadlines of Tropfest

Motherhood, creativity and redefining success

Building authentic creative collaborations and community

Why working-class representation behind the camera matters

Sustainable filmmaking careers and balancing art with life

Listen to Episode 57 on Spotify, YouTube or Apple Podcasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast.

Further information after listening to the episode:

Lianne Mackessy Website: https://www.liannemackessy.com/

Tropfest Winner - Crescendo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys7v4uEMS_M

Flickerfest Winners: https://flickerfest.com.au/press-releases/flickerfest-2026-awards-announced-and-the-winners-are/

Follow Lianne and her work:

Lianne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lianne-mackessy-4a968b341/

This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by Robbie Miles.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and we’d love you to forward this episode to a friend!

Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Don’t forget to subscribe & get weekly episodes in your inbox.

** This is a special video masterclass, so make sure you watch on video to get the full benefit of seeing Dawid share his screen.**

In this special masterclass episode, Kirsty Stark chats to Dawid Naude, CEO & Founder at Pathfindr, and an award-winning AI innovator and educator.

Dawid takes Kirsty through the Claude AI platform, offering in depth insights into how to set it up for maximum efficiency in her day-to-day tasks as a producer.

There is a huge wealth of knowledge in this episode and the lessons he shares are transferable to other AI platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini. They are focused on admin and workflow outcomes, rather than using AI to generate creative work.

Whether you’ve been using AI regularly, or want to know what’s possible beyond basic prompting, this is an episode that can benefit anyone working in the screen industry.

Watch as Dawid shares his screen and teaches:

• AI team members: your Assistant, Thinker and Creator
• Interviewing AI to craft a plan for how it can help you
• Task management and prioritisation
• Integrating AI with your email, notetaker and other tools
• Data privacy and security
• Preparing for meetings and keeping track of production information
• Using AI for deep research
• Personalising your AI interactions
• Creating and managing Projects in Claude
• Creating AI Skills for repeated tasks
• Creating and managing AI policies for your team
• Claude Cowork and using plugins
• Creating websites and presentations directly from Claude
• Automating tasks with browser control

Watch Episode 56 on Spotify or YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Claude: https://claude.ai

Pathfindr: https://www.pathfindr.ai

Start Learning AI (Dawid & Pathfindr’s monthly masterclass): https://startlearning.ai

Follow Dawid on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawidnaude

This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by Kirsty Stark.

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a comment or rating on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and we’d love you to forward this episode to a friend!

Follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Don’t forget to subscribe & get weekly episodes in your inbox.

Have your own thoughts to share about this episode, Screen Forever, or anything else happening in the industry?

Join Loani, Aven, Robbie and Kirsty this Thursday 7th May at 8:30pm for our first ever Instagram Live: https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast

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Screen Forever turned 40 on the Gold Coast last week, and there’s a lot to unpack!

Kirsty and Loani reflect on the big conversations coming out of Screen Forever, from funding pressures and private investment to the risks of Australia becoming a service economy. They also dive into the growing conversations around AI in the sector, and what it means for authorship, voice and the future workforce.

Plus feature film distribution challenges, major inbound productions shooting now, and why the National Cultural Policy consultation is a crucial moment for the industry.

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Links mentioned in this episode:

AACTA Proof Recipients: https://www.aacta.org/our-news/media-room/aacta-and-gold-coast-film-festival-announce-the-three-proof-finalists

Screen Australia funds 91 Narrative Projects: https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/screen-australia-announces-narrative-content-funding-for-91-projects-including-four-short-films-paired-with-industry-mentors/

Australia’s National Cultural Policy - Have Your Say (Closes May 24, 2026) https://www.arts.gov.au/have-your-say/new-national-cultural-policy

Deep Dive: Right-Sizing Your Screen Production Business (Ep 051)

https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes?grid1-dialog=recGSZhWj4oxIhvrZ

Deep Dive: Why Nobody Saw Your Film at the Cinema (Ep 054)

https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes?grid1-dialog=recGSZhWj4oxIhvrZ

Deep Dive: Inventing a New Financing Model for Indie Features (Ep 034)

https://www.weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au/episodes?grid1-dialog=rec9998Xpoi4tYfyW

Production Infrastructure and Capacity Analysis (PICA) report:

https://www.o-spi.com/projects/production-infrastructure-and-capacity-analysis-pica-for-australias-screen-production-sector

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If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple or give us 5 stars on Spotify to help us spread the word.

This episode of We Interrupt This Broadcast was hosted by Kirsty Stark and Loani Arman.

Join the conversation about Episode 55 on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠, or submit your own Big Idea to shape the industry at ⁠⁠⁠http://weinterruptthisbroadcast.com.au⁠⁠⁠.

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Have industry news, upcoming events or productions to share? Want to sponsor the podcast? Let us know at [email protected]

** We’re postponing our regular monthly wrap-up episode to next week so that we can cover all of the conversations and discussion from Screen Forever. If you’ll be with us on the Gold Coast, make sure you say hello! **

In this episode, Aven Yap chats to Kate Separovich, Producer at Lake Martin Films and creator of the Australia in Cinemas newsletter that dives into Australian box office numbers and the current situation for Australian films in Australian cinemas.

(If you haven’t already subscribed, it’s a must read!) https://australiaincinemas.substack.com

Kate has just produced and released Proclivitas, written and directed by Miley Tunnecliffe, and shares some of her experience releasing the film, as well as what actually needs to change if we want Australian films to thrive in Australian cinemas.

With the National Cultural Policy Review coming up, this conversation couldn’t be more timely.

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Listen to hear Kate discuss:

• Why box office data is important for producers
• Understanding audience engagement
• Cinemas as cultural infrastructure and their role in supporting Australian films
• France’s model for supporting local films
• Why awareness, availability and habit all matter when ensuring Australian films get seen in cinemas
• The upcoming National Cultural Policy review and why it’s important
• Insights from producing Proclivitas
• What you can do to support Australian films

Listen to Episode 54 on Spotify, YouTube or Apple Podcasts.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe & leave a rating or review to help us reach more listeners for We Interrupt This Broadcast.

Make your own submission to the new National Cultural Policy: https://www.arts.gov.au/have-your-say/new-national-cultural-policy

Follow Kate and her work:

Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateseparovich

Lake Martin Films: https://lakemartinfilms.com

Australia in Cinemas newsletter: https://australiaincinemas.substack.com

Proclivitas trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtgkX5oHCVI

This Deep Dive interview is hosted and edited by Aven Yap. https://www.linkedin.com/in/avenyap

If you’re enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and we’d love you to forward this episode to a friend!

Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/weinterruptpodcast

YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@weinterruptpodcast⁩ 

LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinterruptpodcast

Don’t forget to subscribe & get weekly episodes in your inbox.