CinefestOZ WIFT Australia Writers’ Retreat

Established in 2021, the CinefestOZ WIFT Australia Writers’ Retreat is a free program designed to support emerging and established screenwriters amongst the beautiful South West region of Western Australia.

Taking place this year from Sunday 1 September to Wednesday 4 September 2024, the retreat provides participants with the space and time they need to further the development of a scripted screen project they are currently the Sole or Lead writer for.

At the conclusion of the retreat, participants received a complimentary pass to attend the two-day CinefestOZ Industry Program from Thursday 5 to Friday 6 September 2024. The CinefestOZ Industry Program is the festival’s annual professional conference consisting of workshops, events and networking drinks with industry guests.

2024 PARTICIPANTS

WIFT Australia and CinefestOZ are delighted to announce the four screenwriters selected for the 2024 CinefestOZ WIFT Australia Writers Retreat.

Targeted at talent with a track record and an advanced scripted project, this year’s cohort will be working on a diverse range of exciting screen stories that have the potential to premiere at the CinefestOZ Film Festival as a result of the time each writer spends on their respective scripts as part of the retreat. As a result, the retreat is fundamentally impacting the next generation of female writing talent in Australia.

Reach below for more information about each writer and their project:

Danielle Stamoulos (Victoria)

Danielle’s Curse of the Virgin, follows Greek Orthodox Maria and her bestie Zimbabwean-Australian Zai, who cast a banishment spell to harness their inner confident energies, rid their problems with shame, purity anxiety and help Maria break her frustrating curse of still being a virgin. Curse of the Virgin explores the empowered online conversation of today’s world for culturally and ethnically diverse young women: their sometimes frustrating yet inevitable sexual-spiritual journeys towards self-determination.

Danielle Stamoulos is a Greek-Australian writer, actor and story developer working across Film/TV and Theatre. Her work explores taboo themes, body autonomy, antiheroines and migrant diaspora identity. Danielle’s supernatural cringe comedy online series Curse of the Virgin is selected for Online Development funding with Screen Australia. She’s writing a feature with Co Curious, commissioned by Powerhouse Parramatta, her short film Gorgo she wrote/acted in has been travelling globally in festivals; WINNER of Best Original Music Flickerfest24 and selected for SBIFF24 (Santa Barbara International Film Festival). Danielle worked as Script Coordinator for SBS’ 'While The Men Are Away.’

Lynn Reed (Tasmania)

The Octopus and I is an adaptation of Erin Hortle's novel by the same name. When a traumatic accident changes Lucy's life and destabilises her marriage, her intense fascination with the local Tasman Peninsula octopus drives her to transform her body and find a new sense of belonging in her community and connection to the wonders of the natural world. Based on the deeply moving and critically acclaimed 2020 novel, The Octopus and I is set on the Tasmanian coast that lays bare the wild, beating heart at the intersection of human and animal, loss and love, and fear and hope.

Lynn Reed is a screenwriter and producer currently based in Hobart. A new migrant to Australia, Lynn has worked in film in the US and Australia. Lynn served as an associate producer on the Australian feature MISS FISHER & THE CRYPT OF TEARS (2020). In the US, Lynn wrote and produced the feature film A SORT OF HOMECOMING, a coming-of-age drama set in the world of high school debate, starring Laura Marano and directed by Maria Burton. The film streamed on Netflix in North America. Lynn has also mentored first-time producers through the international women's networking organization known as Girls Club, founded by Melissa Silverstein. Lynn's first career was in campaign politics. She worked in communications and internet strategy for a variety of national and statewide campaigns in the US, including two presidential campaigns.

Hayley Reeve (Western Australia)

Hayley’s feature film Method, explores the dangerous repercussions of method acting when West End sensation Josephine takes on a new role and the lines between reality and imagination start to blur. Method is an emotionally charged thriller that delves into the tumultuous pursuit of excellence, a talented actress navigating the peak of her career. The script promises offers a blend of artistry, psychological depth, and an unusual plot twist.

Hayley makes films about unapologetic women refusing to bend to expectations. Hayley's recent projects include "This is Zoe" which won the 'Powerful Voice Award", "Audience Award" and "Best Open Short Film" at Raindance. She wrote and directed "Mind Body Soul" featuring Karolina Conchet (The Little Mermaid, Disney). She has recently directed her upcoming short film "EVOL," starring Amelia Jayne Clarkson (Red Rose, Netflix), which has garnered support as a Kino Original following successful funding from Kino Short Film Festival and Genera Films.

Yasmin Kassim (Western Australia)

Intertwining comedy with supernatural elements in her feature film Ghost Writer, Yasmin will tell the story of Zara, a queer Muslim South Asian stand up comedian who is visited by her dead grandmother whilst on tour who helps her grand daughter overcome her shame and ‘help her find her funny’. Ghost Writer is based on Yasmin’s own experience being visited by her grandmother during a session with a medium in which she was inspired to write the feature length script, exploring intergenerational relations and the frustrations of pursuing a highly competitive comedy career whilst also being a member of multiple minority groups.

Yasmin Kassim is a writer, actor and comedian. She has acted in various high level international projects and toured internationally as a comedian. Yasmin has a cowritten pilot with Hanna Stein that was acquired by 3 Arts. Two time Emmy award winner Michael Rotenberg is producing with Chrissie Teigen. Yasmin co-wrote Tik/Croc for Steve Jaggi Productions. Yasmin also co-wrote the short film To The Death directed by Rose McIver that received Screen Australia support.

CONTACT

If you have any questions or queries about future iterations of the Writers’ Retreat, please email applications@wiftaustralia.org.au. Please note this inbox is monitored intermittently by our volunteers so please be patient with replies.