Mission
We’re building a workforce of empowered screen leaders.
From first learnings to bold leadership.
Clients
US Television Acedemy
Hollywood Tech Retreat
Google Leadership Circle
Two Days
Sun 26 April — Mon 27 April, 2026
Gold Coast, Queensland
(Overview)
AI for Women in Screen is a two-day generative AI masterclass focused on upskilling established screen professionals for an AI-forward industry, with tuition waived for all accepted applicants.
Supported by Screenrights, in partnership with Screen Producers Australia, Screen Queensland, and technology partners Leonardo.Ai and Othelia Technologies, the program aims to equip Australian screen leaders with advanced creative intelligence and practical tools for an evolving media landscape.
Applications are open to women and gender-diverse screen professionals for this inaugural edition, intentionally designed to support practitioners at a critical moment of industry transformation.
The two-day intensive will take place directly prior to SCREEN FOREVER 40, running on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 April 2026. Hosted at Bond University on the Gold Coast, Queensland, the masterclass is designed to link practical training with broader industry conversations and professional networks.
The program centres on screen intelligence — applying AI to strengthen storytelling, elevate production value, and improve development and pitching processes. Sessions emphasise hands-on, real-world workflows that participants can immediately apply to active creative projects.
Designed and delivered by AI technologist and screenwriter Jessie Hughes, the program builds industry confidence and capability at a pivotal time for screen storytelling. Jessie Hughes has trained the US Television Academy, and regularly consults industry studios on up-to-date AI workflows.
Guest speakers include Kate Armstrong, founder of Othelia Technologies, a Hollywood-adopted intelligent story management system, and Yasmin Naghavi, principal lawyer at Artis Causa, who will address legal and responsible frameworks for Australian screen producers working with AI.
All educational resources will be shared with participants post-program, forming a scalable network of Australian screen leaders positioned as early adopters in this rapidly evolving space. Experienced screen professionals are encouraged to apply, with the program best suited to established practitioners who have a strong understanding of the screen industry — prior experience with AI is not required.
Participation is limited to 50 places, with tuition, meals and software fully covered.
Applications close March 6th 5pm AEST 2026.
(Program Partners)
Screenrights
The Screenrights Cultural Fund supports exciting and innovative new initiatives that foster the creation and appreciation of screen content in Australia and New Zealand.
Screen Queensland
Screen Queensland is the state agency investing in locally made films, series and digital games, and attracting international and interstate production and post-production.
Leonardo.Ai
Leonardo.AI is a comprehensive content production suite powered by generative AI. Serving more than 55 Million users worldwide, Leonardo.AI empowers creative control with AI tooling.
Empowering creative professionals to lead in an evolving media landscape.
Generative AI for Cinema
01
01
Pre-Production Visuals
02
Trailers and Reels
03
Blended Pipelines
04
Production
05
VFX and Post
AI for Story Management
02
01
Intelligent Story Management
02
Alternative Story Pathways
03
Strategic Productions
04
Holistic Story Universe
Gold Coast
Held on the beautiful Gold Coast, our program takes place at Bond University.
Faculty of Society & Design
Location
14 University Drive, Robina QLD
Sun 26 April
— Day 1
10AM — 5PM
Discovery & Play
Morning
Day one begins with an orientation to generative AI in the screen industries. As lead facilitator, Jessie Hughes will share an industry overview of the current AI landscape, grounding participants in how these tools are already shaping creative development, production, and visual storytelling. The morning blends keynote-style insight with live-demos in Leonardo.AI, allowing participants to absorb context while beginning to get explore directly with emerging tools.
Afternoon
In the afternoon, the focus shifts to storytelling and development with a guest session led by Kate Armstrong, founder of Othelia. This session introduces intelligent story management and story architecture, demonstrating how scripts and narrative worlds can be analysed and explored using AI. Participants gain insight into how these tools support clearer creative decision-making—helping producers and writers understand structure, test ideas, and approach development with greater confidence.
Mon 27 April
— Day 2
10AM — 5PM
Development & Application
Morning
Day two centres on hands-on development work, with participants using generative AI tools directly within a producer-led context. Following a guided process, participations will work actively on developing pitch materials such as visual references, and short video concepts. The session focuses on how AI can strengthen pitches, support clearer development pathways, and test new creative directions.
Afternoon
In the afternoon, participants take part in an open discussion with arts lawyer Yasmin Naghavi, covering legal, contractual, and risk considerations relevant to producers working with AI. Topics include authorship, rights, disclosure, and responsible use within an Australian screen context. Participants leave with increased confidence in applying AI within professional workflows, and new development workflows they can use immediately.
Tues 28 April
— Optional
28 — 30 April
Optional — SCREEN FOREVER
Not Included
Following the conclusion of the masterclass, SCREEN FOREVER 40 immediately follows, running from Tuesday to Thursday, 28–30 April.
Delivered by Screen Producers Australia, this premier screen industry conference will be held at The Star Event Centre on the Gold Coast, bringing together leaders from across the Australian screen sector for policy discussion, industry insight, and networking.
We're inviting women and gender-diverse screen professionals to apply.
Inclusions
Tuition & Resources
Tuition fees are waived for all accepted participants. All educational resources will be shared with the cohort, encouraging participants to teach others.
Technology Subscriptions
All participants will receieve complimenatary two-month subscriptions to Leonardo.AI and Othelia.
Meals & Refreshments
Meals and refreshments are provided over both days, with the event being held at Bond University Robina Campus. Participants must cover their own travel and accomodation.
Who Should Apply
We invite experienced women and gender-diverse screen professionals to apply for this program. It is best suited to established practitioners with a strong understanding of the screen industry — prior experience with AI is not required.
Preference will be given to applicants who are curious about adopting AI and who are well placed to extend the program’s training across their teams, studios, or organisations. Interstate creatives are encouraged to apply.
A limited number of places will also be available for early-career and emerging practitioners.
Key Dates
Applications close March 6th 2026. Cohort announced on or before March 28th. Program runs April 26th — April 27th.
Emerging Executives
Studios & Agencies
Screen Directors
Screenwriters
(Teachers)
28—30 April, Gold Coast
Stay updated on future programs
If you’re interested in AI education, outside of the program—including tailored sessions for studios, agencies, and organisations of all kinds—please reach out.