After a packed and inspiring week in Sydney, the 2025 Activator Screen cohort has now completed the second phase of their international business development programme, and what a week it was!
The five-day Sydney residency placed the cohort in front of more than 25 senior industry stakeholders across Australia’s screen ecosystem. From national broadcasters and global streamers to top-tier producers, investors, and agency leaders, participants engaged in focused sessions designed to sharpen strategy, build networks, and open doors.
Highlights included roundtable discussions with ABC, SBS, BBC Studios, and Netflix; fireside chats with leading producers from Bunya, Curio, Silent Firework and Brouhaha; and practical sessions on investor engagement, digital monetisation, and strategic development planning. The cohort also got behind-the-scenes insights into how public funding bodies like Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, and Screen NSW approach development, offsets, and international partnerships.
One of the standout moments was a candid and generous conversation with Kim Williams, Chairman of the ABC, on public broadcasting and the future of cultural storytelling across Australia and Aotearoa. There was also a healthy dose of provocation—discussions around AI workflows, the economics of AVOD channels, and what it really takes to get talent attached to an international co-pro.
More than anything, this week cemented just how much value the cohort is getting out of the programme. Confidence is growing, positioning is sharper, and follow-up conversations are already underway with several of the organisations they met.
Next stop: London and Los Angeles.