We kicked off 2026 by tackling a question we hear almost every week: “I’ve written the script — where do I actually start?”

Over the course of our three-part From Idea to Screen series, we found the answers together. We saw packed rooms filled with new faces and seasoned practitioners alike.

The first half of our 2026 programme was all about momentum—getting out there, activating a community, and simply getting the work to exist. Now, as we move into the next phase of the series, our focus is shifting towards the practical mechanics of production. We are here to help you design stories that can actually be made—balancing your creative ambition with manageable, real-world constraints.

Because a project only moves forward when others understand it, we will also tackle the art of communication. You will learn to articulate your vision with clarity, equipping you to confidently invite collaborators and funders on board.

Ultimately, this journey takes your work from a private idea to a fully realised concept, ready to be presented publicly for industry feedback, tangible funding, and ongoing mentorship.

The Upcoming Events

5. It’s All in the Pitch

A good pitch isn’t just about performance. It’s about clarity.

What is the story? Why does it matter? Who is it for? And what makes someone in the room want to hear more?

In this practical, conversational session, we will discuss what makes a pitch land, where people often lose the room, and what emerging filmmakers should fix before they pitch.

The session will explore:

• What makes industry guests lean in — or switch off
• Where pitches most often become unclear
• How to sharpen the idea underneath the pitch
• What to prepare before stepping into the room
• How to speak about your project with confidence and purpose

This session is designed for writers, directors and producers preparing to pitch a short film, especially those planning to enter the MCBA Short Film Pitch Competition in July.

The conversation will be followed by audience Q&A and informal networking.

The winning filmmaker receives a $500 cash prize and ongoing support from a Screen Presence mentor.

Panellists

Naomi Mulholland (Producer), Christopher Kam (Script Producer) and Brendan Wan (Writer, Presenter, Producer and winner of the 2025 MCBA Short Film Pitch Competition)

Event Details
Thursday 25 June
7:00pm – 9:30pm
Chinese Museum, Melbourne Chinatown

Tickets $20 https://www.trybooking.com/DMHRJ

6. MCBA Script Pitch Competition

2026 MCBA CHINATOWN SCRIPT PITCH COMPETITION

We’re excited to return with the Chinatown Script Pitch Competition — an opportunity for emerging screenwriters, filmmakers and comedians to pitch their original short film scripts set in Melbourne’s vibrant Chinatown.

The winning pitch will receive a $500 cash prize, along with the opportunity to connect with future collaborators through the Screen Presence community.

We’re thrilled to welcome back one of our most loved judges:
Marisa Nanakhorn Brown — AWGIE-nominated screenwriter, developer and script editor (Clickbait, Fires, Spooky Files), joined by multi-award winning writer / directors Colin Cairnes (100 Bloody Acres, Scare Campaign, Late Night with the Devil) and Sam Voutas (Red Light Revolution, King of Peking, Yesterday Island).

Through this competition, we celebrate Chinatown’s rich history, culture and contemporary relevance, while creating space for fresh and innovative storytelling across genre, form and perspective. We’re especially excited to receive submissions from Asian Australian voices bringing new energy and insight to the table.

To Enter
Please send your project details to screen@chinesemuseum.com.au by midnight, Monday July 13, 2026, including:
🔴 Your bio
🔴 Working title
🔴 Concept
🔴 Synopsis
🔴 1-minute video pitch
🔴 Your story must be set in Melbourne’s Chinatown
🔴 And feature the colour RED

Please note there is a $30 submission fee. https://lnkd.in/gK2pEqFn

Shortlisted contestants will be announced on Monday July 20, 2026.

The selected pitches will compete live on Thursday July 23, 2026 at the Chinese Museum.

The winner will receive $500 in cash and, as with all Screen Presence events, participants may connect with potential collaborators in the audience who could help bring their film to life.

This competition is proudly sponsored by the Melbourne Chinatown Business Association, Museum of Chinese Australian History and Black Sheep Films

Tickets $20 https://www.trybooking.com/DMUIQ

The Previous Events

FROM IDEA TO SCREEN

From Idea to Screen focuses on momentum, permission and simply getting the work to exist.

1. Making a Short Film with (Almost) No Budget

How to start before you feel ready — using what you already have.

This session focused on removing the biggest barrier filmmakers feel — waiting for permission. Our speakers share how they made their first shorts using limited resources and community support.

2. Building Momentum Through Crowdfunding with Ravi Chand

Turning a private idea into a project other people can support.

This session explored crowdfunding as a momentum tool — not just raising money, but activating community, testing your idea publicly and building early supporters. We’ll cover how campaigns work, what makes people contribute, and how filmmakers manage the emotional and time demands of running one.

More about Ravi at warriortribefilms.com/ravi-chand

3. Navigating Short Film Funding Pathways

Understanding where funding fits, and how a short film opens doors.

This session broke down how filmmakers move from self-initiated work into formal funding. We’ll discuss grant pathways, what assessors actually look for, and how a short film can strategically lead toward future projects.

FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN

From Script to Screen shifts to commitment and articulation, supporting filmmakers ready to move one project forward.

4. Writing Achievable Short Films

Designing a story you can actually produce, not just imagine.

Now the focus shifts from making anything to making something deliberate.

This session looked at writing short films that can actually be produced — designing scripts around accessible locations, manageable cast sizes and practical budgets without losing creative ambition.