Social Enterprise for Screen Program 2025

Creative Plus Business is proud to reveal the nineteen outstanding participants selected for the inaugural Social Enterprise for Screen (SEFS) program, an Australia-first initiative powered by the Screenrights Cultural Fund.

This national masterclass program is the first of its kind in the country, designed to equip under-represented filmmakers with the entrepreneurial skills needed to build sustainable screen businesses—all while using storytelling as a vehicle for positive social change.

Over the course of 13 weeks, participants from across Australia will undertake an intensive online learning experience focused on developing screen enterprises that operate as social businesses—balancing creativity, impact, and commercial viability.

Empowering the Changemakers of the Screen Industry

Led by Creative Plus Business Director Monica Davidson, SEFS blends more than 30 years of screen industry experience and creative business education. Participants will also receive direct support through one-on-one mentoring and learn from some of the most respected names in the industry.

Guest mentors and presenters include:

• Tracey Corbin-Matchett OAM (Bus Stop Films)

• Pauline Clague (Winda Film Festival)

• Kate Croser (Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network)

• Ben Steel (Screen Well)

• Georgina Cohen (Social Traders)

• Felicity Blake (The Dove Media)

• Georgia Moore (Culture Counts)

• Rosie Lourde (Gender Matters Taskforce)

According to Monica Davidson, the overwhelming response to the program demonstrates a growing appetite for innovative business models in the screen sector.

“We were delighted by the incredible responses to this program… It’s clear that the creative community is looking for new ways to sustain their work while creating meaningful impact,” she said.

Project Highlights from Across Australia

The SEFS 2025 cohort represents a remarkable spread of talent, including:

• A collaborative screen hub on the Gold Coast exploring virtual production

• The next-stage development of a film ecology enterprise in Western Sydney

• The expansion of a leading female filmmaker peak body

• A regionally based LatinX screen company

• Projects from Māori, Pacifika, and First Nations storytellers

A Program Designed for Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity is at the heart of SEFS. Among the selected participants:

• 55% identify as female

• 15% are First Nations screen practitioners

• 45% are People of Colour

• 35% identify as LGBTQIA+

• More than half are Culturally and Linguistically Diverse

• 25% are from regional or remote areas

• 35% live with disability and/or neurodiversity

What’s Next?

Each participant will complete a strategic social enterprise plan, including frameworks for measuring social impact and planning for long-term sustainability. In August 2025, the program will culminate in an online showcase of participant project pitches, hosted on the Creative Plus Business website and Vimeo channel.

Meet the 2025 SEFS Cohort

• Clarice Would Like a Word (SA)

• Dingo Drama (SA)

• Eva Justine Torkkola (VIC)

• Generate Crew (NSW)

• Gold Coast Screen Hub / Chrysaor (QLD)

• GuniBina (NSW)

• Henry Simmons and Geneva Gilmour (NSW)

• Joy House Productions (NSW)

• Liquid Heart – Kevin Luk (VIC)

• Made in the West Creative (NSW)

• Mount Lofty Studios – Yogi Devgan (SA)

• Mana Film Productions (QLD)

• Nastasha Henry (NSW)

• Rebecca Kirwan (NSW)

• The Great Aboriginal People (QLD)

• Tuldi Media (SA)

• Two Dog Films (NSW)

• Ver Mas Media (QLD)

• Warrior Tribe Films (VIC)