Headliners takes centre stage on ABC in November

Click here for a first look clip 

Celebrating music and inclusion, Headliners is a raw, candid and heartwarming five-part series premiering Tuesday 19 November at 8.00pm on ABC TV with all episodes available to stream on ABC iview. 

The series follows musician and fervent campaigner for inclusion, access and equality, Elly-May Barnes, as she leads the quest to create two bands made up entirely of musicians with disabilities. Joining Elly-May are revered musicians Tim Rogers (You Am I) and Ella Hooper (Killing Heidi) as the skillful band leaders who expertly mentor and guide the bands, along with her dad, Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes AO who offers inspiration and support.

Together, and in just seven weeks, they will transform a group of musicians who have never met before into two bands set to play on the main stage at one of Australia’s most iconic music festivals, Mundi Mundi Bash in Broken Hill. Delta Goodrem AM and Ben Gillies (Silverchair) also share their vast experience and offer sage advice on performing in front of large crowds during two special master classes. 

As the bands prepare for the performance of a lifetime, the series offers an intimate look into the creative process, struggles and triumphs, highlighting that disability does not define talent.

Narrated by disability activist and Spicks and Specks host Adam Hills MBE, Headliners seeks to uncover extraordinary talent that has, until now, mostly been excluded from Australia’s mainstream music landscape. Almost 20% of Australians live with a disability – our largest minority group – but that community is grossly under-represented in the music industry…it’s time to change this. 

Always free and Always entertaining, discover more enlightening and inspiring documentaries on ABC iview now.

Production Credit: Commissioned by the ABC, Headliners is an Endemol Shine Australia (A Banijay Entertainment Company) production. Major production investment from the ABC in association with Screen Australia. Financed with support from Screen NSW. Developed and produced in association with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Filmed and post produced in New South Wales. International sales by Banijay Rights. Developed with the assistance of Screen NSW. Post, digital and visual effects supported by Screen NSW. 

Director of Content, Endemol Shine Australia: Tara McWilliams. Executive Producer: Penny McWhirter. Series Producer: Kate Paul. Post Executive Producer: Kate Feely. ABC Head of Screen: Jen Collins. ABC Head of Factual: Susie Jones. ABC Commissioning Editor: Kalita Corrigan.

This production was created inclusively with people with disability.

For interviews or more information please contact:

Amy Reiha, ABC Publicist

reiha.amy@abc.net.au | 0404 026 039

C21 International Format Awards 2024 nominations

Another exciting awards announcement … with 3 incredible nominations for MAFS, The Summit and NCIS: Sydney. All are finalists in the C21 International Format Awards following votes by a panel of the world’s leading format commissioners, buyers and producers.

Married at First Sight has been nominated for Best Returning Format. As one of the leading awards for global formats, it is an incredibly impressive feat to have MAFS recognised on the world stage. 

Hot off the heels of its International Emmy Award nomination, The Summit has also nominated for Best Returning Format. 

Please raise a glass to NCIS: Sydney for its nomination in the Best Scripted category.

Asian Academy Creative Award wins for ESA

ESA has taken home an impressive three wins from the Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACAs)!

The AACAs were established to honour creative excellence throughout the Asia Pacific region and is a peer judged pinnacle of achievement in content creation, performance, and production.  

Our very own Dessert Masters won the award for Best General Entertainment!

 Tipping Point has won Best Game or Quiz Program.

Finally, Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars has taken out Best Non-Scripted Entertainment!

2024 International Emmy® Awards Nominees Announced - The Summit

New York, September 19, 2024 – Nominations for the 2024 International Emmy® Awards were announced today by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. There are 56 Nominees across 14 categories and spanning 21 countries. 

“Every year the international television community competes to be recognized on the International Emmys’ much coveted global stage,” said International Academy President & CEO Bruce L. Paisner. “We congratulate the Nominees for their outstanding programs and performances, they are once again a testament to the universal appeal of great storytelling across all genres, countries and cultures.”

Nominees come from: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

Winners will be announced at the 52nd International Emmy® Awards Gala in New York City, on Monday, November 25, 2024. 

2024 International Emmy® Awards Nominees

Non-Scripted Entertainment

Die Brug [The Bridge South Africa]
Red Pepper Pictures / kykNET
South Africa

Me Caigo De Risa [Anything Goes]
TelevisaUnivision
Mexico

Restaurant Misverstand [The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes]
Roses Are Blue / Red Arrow / VRT
Belgium

The Summit – (Season 1)
Endemol Shine Australia / Nine Network
Australia

Endemol Shine Australia & Screen Australia Announce Early Career Writers Program

Tuesday 10 September 2024 – Endemol Shine Australia (a Banijay Entertainment company) and Screen Australia have today announced the Early Career Writers Program, supported by the Australian Writers’ Guild. 

A collaboration between Endemol Shine Australia and Screen Australia, the initiative will provide high-level training in a global calibre script department to four early to mid-career Australian writers who have the potential for a strong career trajectory in scripted episodic storytelling. 

Based in the Endemol Shine Australia headquarters in Sydney, over eight weeks the successful applicants will be paired with experienced mentors who will not only guide them, but directly contribute to their learning and professional development. As part of the program, the emerging writers will be immersed in all facets of script development and rotate through all the roles that make up a successful and well-functioning script department.

Endemol Shine Australia Head of Scripted Sara Richardson said: “This initiative is very close to our hearts. Evident with the success of the first emerging writers program, we are strong believers in both nurturing and encouraging the next generation, as that is who the future of our industry will be founded on.”

Screen Australia Head of Development Bobby Romia said: We are excited to announce the Early Career Writers Program, a unique opportunity for Australian screenwriters to gain hands-on experience within a global production company. This initiative highlights our commitment to nurturing local talent by providing them with high-calibre training and exposure in an internationally renowned script department.”

“Collaborating with Endemol Shine Australia and the Australian Writers’ Guild, we are proud to support the next generation of storytellers as they develop their craft and pursue success from right here in Australia.”

A paid opportunity, commencing Monday 25 November 2024, applicants must be able to commit to the full eight week duration of the program (with two weeks off for the holiday period).   If not already a resident of Greater Sydney, applicants must be available to relocate, with support available toward relocation for the duration of the program. 

Applications are now open and will close at 5.00 pm AEST on Thursday 3 October 2024 and can be made via the Screen Australia Application Portal. For eligibility requirements and how to apply see Guidelines here

Eligible applications will be considered and reviewed by Endemol Shine Australia, Screen Australia and/or industry specialists with successful applicants notified by 5.00 pm AEDT on Monday 28 October 2024.

Submissions should include the following:

• Fully completed application form including contact details and applicant eligibility; and,

• CV/Biography (maximum 1 page) including writing credits applicable to the required eligibility to apply to this program; and,

• A personal motivation statement (maximum 1 page) that includes:

• Why you wish to apply to this program;

• How the opportunity supports your career goals and trajectory;

• Why you believe you are ready for this opportunity; and,

• What you believe you will contribute by participating in this program.

• A letter of recommendation and/or support (maximum 1 page) from a professional context you have worked in as a screenwriter.

• One set of samples pages (maximum 10 pages) of your scripted writing (any genre, any platform, in line with the Applicant Eligibility) either produced or unproduced.

For more information or to apply visit www.screenaustralia.gov.au

The Early Career Writers Program is presented by Screen Australia in collaboration with Endemol Shine Australia with industry partner Australian Writers’ Guild.

About Endemol Shine Australia

Endemol Shine Australia (ESA), a Banijay Entertainment company, comprises proven leaders in television and digital production whose shows have become ratings hits. ESA’s slate represents the most exciting and popular programming on Australian free-to-air networks and pay TV channels. The company’s scripted credits include the 2024 TV Week Logie Award winning RFDS, NCIS: Sydney, Bali 2002, Offspring, Sisters, Peter Allen: Not The Boy Next Door and INXS: Never Tear Us Apart.