REEL TALK THE BLACK BALLOON SCREENWORKS brought North Coast audiences one of the the first screenings of this outstanding film from first-time feature director/writer Elissa Down, who attended and held a Q&A session with the audience. The film went on to be nominated for 11 AFI awards, winning five, plus two APRA Screen Music Awards.  NEWCASTLE The legendary surf of Newcastle is the backdrop for another tale of self-discovery. Its young star, Lachlan Buchanan, joined our audience for a Q&A and there were door prizes and give-aways on offer.

SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS TV SCRIPTWRITING WITH MICHAELY O'BRIEN One of Australia’s most experienced TV  Producers, Scriptwriters and Editors, showed filmmakers how to position themselves in the marketplace, and offered one-on-ones with individual producers. FINAL CUT PRO WITH ANDY BAMBACH This 2-day Introduction to the popular editing programme booked out, with some participants bringing their own laptops in order to get a place. COMPOSITION FOR THE SCREEN WITH MURRAY BURNS One of our best known composers talked about and demonstrated his craft, including how to interpret a brief and how visuals inform shaping of the score.

NEW MEDIA INCUBATOR & CONFERENCE The Byron at Byron was the venue for SCREENWORKS' ground-breaking 3-Day New Media Incubator and Conference. Nine selected teams attended an intensive 2-day workshopping opportunity to explore cross-media potential for their projects. Day Three saw a capacity crowd for presentations by some of Australia's New Media Pioneers, led by MC Justin Brow and Keynote Speaker Jennifer Wilson.

LIFE'S A PITCH 2008 SCREENWORKS' signature Event has grown from year to year in stature and reputation, with last year's winner going on to be comissioned by SBS and previous years winners seeing similar successes. This year LIfe's A Pitch was preceded by two background seminars. The Art of the Pitch Parts One and Two offered our members overviews of the techniques required for a succsessful Pitch. Part One - How to write a Synopsis That Sells was presented by prominent documentary producer Caterine Marciniak and drama writer Belinda Chayko. Cynthia Connop hosted Part Two - Visuals for a Compelling Pitch, exploring the ins and outs of the "sizzle reel". Following the Life's A Pitch Launch, six applicants were selected to go through to Pitch Training Day with Catherine Marciniak and Screen Journalist Sandy George, before competing in the Finals on 15 November at the Byron Community Centre. A judging panel made up of top executives from SBS, the ABC, Screen Australia and Madman Entertainment selected Susie Forster's "True Crimes of the Lone Avenger" as the winner.