About the 2024 recipients
Ester Harding is a screen industry executive, who has developed, financed and produced documentary, drama, and multi-platform projects. In 2022, she joined Mind The Gap Film Finance, a cashflow lender with a positive impact decision-making framework. Prior to this, Ester worked primarily in scripted development, in roles as Head of Drama at independent production company Sweetshop & Green, and as a Development Executive at Screen Australia, where she oversaw narrative features, episodic and extended reality projects, and the fostering of emerging talent.
Proposal: I proposed to put the grant towards undertaking Melbourne-based ARTEM Group’s Evolving your Leadership program, which is aimed at teaching “women to lead with purpose and courage.” The emphasis on courage, rather than confidence, is what attracted me to this program. One can be confident while maintaining the status quo. It takes courage to trust in others, to believe in their potential, to celebrate their success, and to follow them when they are showing the way. It takes courage to speak up if the way is no longer clear, or safe, and to take a different direction. I am coming into the prime of my professional life and possess a unique skillset that allows me to engage with people from across the industry. This course will help me see how far I can take that boundary spanning ability, and how to make it more useful to everyone with whom I connect.
Caro Macdonald is a Darwin-based cinematographer, director and producer with an interest in strong character-based and environmental stories. Recent works include half-hour documentary Democracy Darling! for Al Jazeera; Mamirnikuwi, an environmental short set on the Tiwi Islands, commissioned by ABC and a finalist for the Sustainable Future Award at Sydney Film Festival; a feature documentary on the Northern Territory called Under Cover, which was selected to screen at the Melbourne International Film Festival; and climate-fiction short films The Northerners and VR film Storm Dog.
Proposal: Cinematographer Michael Latham will mentor Caro in her role as cinematographer on a Screen Territory funded short narrative film, as well as a documentary series. Caro also intends to invest any skills back into the industry the NT, including working with emerging female and diverse aspiring cinematographers.
Eve Spence is a filmmaker with an extensive industry background and passion for all stages of the storytelling process, from the spark that sets the narrative in motion to the audience experience. As a writer/director, her award-winning shorts have premiered at major international film festivals such as Berlinale and she is currently in the late stages of development for her feature film, Common Ground.
Proposal: I will use the grant to attend the interdisciplinary ‘Script Circle’ feature workshop in Berlin as an observer and be mentored by story developers Franz Rodenkirchen and Françoise von Roy, In researching this model of story development, and their company’s approach, I hope tol earn how it could be implemented in Australia, while developing my skills to lead such a program. My ambition is to deliver a different story development option to filmmakers in Australia, one which utilises the experience of writers as co-developers,and builds community amongst writers.
Chelsea Thistlewaite is an associate literary agent at RGM Artists, providing creative strategy and representation to screenwriters, directors, playwrights, authors and heads of department in film and television. As an Associate Literary Agent, Chelsea leverages their keen eye for talent and understanding of the market to champion established and emerging Australian creatives. Chelsea’s clients include Jory Anast (WENT UP THE HILL), Michael Bennett(THE GONE, BETTER THE BLOOD), Lucy Knox (HOT MOTHER) and Drew English (HEARTBREAK HIGH) Chelsea’s commitment to inclusivity and representation is evident in their work, as they actively seek to bolster talented and underrepresented voices
Proposal: My grant will be utilised to strategically invest in their career through curated courses from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the National Film & Television School (NFTS) and Sundance Collab that will expand their skills in business, legal affairs, financing, and distribution. My proposal will enable me to contribute to Australian film & television industry growth and innovation. By undertaking these courses, I will glean invaluable skills and knowledge that will equip me in the next phase of my career as an Australian film & television Literary Agent. These skills will contribute to the benefit of the Australian creatives I represent, and the industry at large
Megan Wilmann is a senior graphic designer based in Melbourne with over 18 years’ experience in the film industry. Currently working at Madman Films, she has created original key art posters for films such as Shayda, The Justice Of Bunny King and Portrait Of A Lady On Fire, putting her passion for creating film posters that portray the vision of the filmmaker into practice for marketing campaigns.
Proposal: With this grant I will be able to take privilege of being offered to shadow Creative Director Demi Hopkins and the team at Carnival Studio in Sydney for one week to further develop creative skills in theatrical poster key art design focusing on concept design, compositing, colour grading and retouching. I am also interested in improving my leadership skills through the “New Leader” course run by the Australian Institute of Management. I would love to start moving towards taking on more leadership roles within my design team and becoming a stronger female voice within the company
The Catalyst Grant Program was supported by Creative Partnerships Australia through Plus1 and NMF’s generous Catalyst Campaign donors.