The Natalie Miller Fellowship invites women in the Australian screen industry to apply for its annual grant of up to $20,000, designed to inspire the next generation of female leaders to achieve outstanding success at the top of their fields.
The NMF look for proposals that not only have strong personal benefits to the applicant but can have a long-term positive impact on the wider Australian screen community.
2024 Fellowship Key Dates
Applications Open: Thursday 8 August 2024
Applications Close: Monday 30 September 2024 (5pm AEST)
Recipient announced at the Australian International Movie Convention held on the Gold Coast between Tuesday 29 October – Thursday 31 October 2024.
Who Can Apply?
The Natalie Miller Fellowship is open to all female and female-identifying professionals, working in the Australian screen industry, who:
- have a minimum of ten years of professional experience;
- can demonstrate a notable track record;
- can demonstrate leadership potential, business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit;
- have the potential to be a credible ambassador for articulating the aims and objectives of the NMF.
The Proposal
Your proposal will:
- be based on a one-year timeline of activities commencing no earlier than
December 2024; - demonstrate how you will reach your leadership goals in an appropriate and timely manner;
- demonstrate the boldness of your initiative, as well as a strong vision of leadership;
- show how your role as a future leader, will have long-term benefits to the wider screen industry.
The NMF welcomes proposal of all types and combinations, however the Fellowship is
not open to proposals which include the following:
- script or production development
- screen production investment
- business investment
- courses or activities that commence prior to December 2024
- units of courses/degrees which you have already commenced (e.g. if you are
already undertaking an MBA or other degree prior to December 2024, the - Fellowship cannot meet the costs of a future semester or unit of the course)
Applications should address your immediate personal professional development goals
as well as your longer-term leadership aspirations, and discuss how your proposal will
help you achieve this. Applicants are encouraged to be innovative, daring and
ambitious in designing their own proposals.
You may find it helpful to read about the previous Fellowship recipients and their professional development programs.
Application Requirements
All applicants are required to provide the following as part of the online application form:
- A short bio (up to 200 words)
- Proposal summary (100-150 words) – a brief outline of your professional development proposal
- A detailed budget for your proposal, including any additional funding you are applying for or have received (download the template here).
- Timeline for your proposal (download the template here).
- Proposal description (300-500 words or 2-3 minute video pitch) – a succinct description of your proposal including evidence of your ability to execute the project
- Proposal outcomes (500-800 words or 2-3 minute video pitch) – how the Natalie Miller Fellowship would contribute to your professional development and how it would benefit the wider screen community
- CV including details of the business/creative output, education and employment history
- Two signed letters of reference supporting your proposal, including contact details
- A confirmation letter, if relevant, of acceptance into a professional opportunity, e.g. mentor or internship
Applicants can choose to supply their Proposal Description and Proposal Outcomes as either written documents or video pitches.
Please note the following when considering your proposal and application:
Any major changes to the successful applicant’s professional development program must be approved by the NMF prior to commencement. At the completion of their program, a written report will be required to be submitted and an opportunity may be provided to report on their experience at an industry event.
An interim report of approx. 300-500 words or a video submission (of 2-3 minutes) must be submitted during the fellowship year (in approximately June) in consultation with the NMF president and/or NMF committee.
Selection Process
The Fellowship will be awarded on the advice of the Natalie Miller Fellowship Selection Panel, made up of an independent panel of highly respected members of the screen community, the President of the NMF and Natalie Miller AO. Most of the panel members change every year. All decisions are final, and the Natalie Miller Fellowship and Selection Panel retains all discretion in awarding the Fellowship.
To find out more information on applying for the Natalie Miller Fellowship, please visit our Fellowship Guidelines page, FAQ page, or be inspired by our previous Fellowship recipients.
The Fellowship is proudly supported by major sponsors and donors.