06 03 2025 - Media release

Powerhouse Speakers named for Untapped 2025

Top (L-R): Jet Wilkinson, Michael Shanks. Bottom (L-R): Ryan O'Connell, Megan Park.

Australians in Film and Screen Australia are proud to announce the highly anticipated UNTAPPED 2025 Masterclass Speakers, featuring a powerful line-up of four industry trailblazers, shaping the future of film and television. 

The esteemed speakers — Michael Shanks, Megan Park, Ryan O’Connell, and Jet Wilkinson — will bring their unparalleled expertise to Australia’s premier artist development program, UNTAPPED, which continues to break boundaries by nurturing undiscovered and emerging writers and directors.

This year’s speakers are true visionaries in the entertainment industry:

• Michael Shanks – the writer and director of the critically acclaimed horror feature Together, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and sold to Neon for a record-breaking $15 million. Shanks’ remarkable debut has earned widespread praise and positioned him as a rising star in cinema.
• Megan Park – the writer, director, and actor known for her hit films My Old Ass (starring Aubrey Plaza), and The Fallout, (starring Jenna Ortega), Park has firmly established herself as one of the most exciting new voices in international filmmaking, with a distinctive style that resonates globally.
• Ryan O’Connell – the writer, director, and actor of the ground-breaking series Special, which premiered worldwide on Netflix and garnered 4 Emmy nominations. O’Connell’s poignant storytelling and authentic representation of disability have earned him recognition as one of the industry’s most influential new talents.
• Jet Wilkinson – the acclaimed director, whose recent episodic work includes Lena Waithe’s The Chi, The Old Man (starring Jeff Daniels and John Lithgow), and Percy Jackson and the Olympians, in which she was nominated for an Emmy. Wilkinson’s impressive body of work as a director has earned her recognition for her dynamic, character-driven storytelling.

UNTAPPED, now in its fifth year, is Australia’s most prestigious and globally recognized artist development program, designed to provide emerging filmmakers with invaluable access to international professionals. Previous mentors have included executives from Lucky Chap, Blossom Films, Hello Sunshine and Atomic Monster, and writers from Beef and Dave.

Executive Director of Australians in Film Peter Ritchie said, “We are thrilled to unveil this extraordinary line-up of visionary international Masterclass speakers for UNTAPPED 2025. With AiF’s deep-rooted connections in Los Angeles and our influential global network, we ensure access to the most creative trailblazers, who are passionate about giving back and empowering the next wave of Australian talent.

“Thanks to the vital support of the Federal Government through Screen Australia, AiF is forging critical international pathways for Australia’s brightest emerging film and television writers and directors. This strategic investment not only guarantees our unique cultural narrative, and distinct voice will resonate globally for years to come, but also ensures the sustainability of a thriving Australian industry which continues to inspire and innovate around the world.”

Screen Australia Chief Operating Officer Grainne Brunsdon said, “UNTAPPED continues to provide a critical pathway for emerging filmmakers to launch global careers and forge important connections in the US market. To have such an esteemed line-up of guest speakers on board to inspire the 2025 cohort is testament to the reputation of Australia’s creative talent and I’ve no doubt their wealth of experience will be invaluable.”

Past UNTAPPED participant Nicholas Lin said, “This program exceeded my expectations. I couldn't have made the connections I've made without this program. Everyone involved in UNTAPPED have been invaluable in my learning experience; without them, I couldn't have expanded my creative craft and learnt how to construct stories for an international audience.”

The strategic structure of UNTAPPED involves an open invitation for anyone to apply for four online Masterclasses. Following the Masterclasses, five projects will move forward to a four-month Development Lab, where participants receive mentoring, pitch coaching, and expert guidance on script development.

First Nations Australians, people who are culturally and linguistically diverse, living with disability, LGBTQIA+, and/or living in regional and remote locations are encouraged to apply for UNTAPPED.

With its ongoing commitment to fostering the next generation of global filmmaking talent, UNTAPPED 2025 promises to be another ground-breaking year for the Australian screen industry.

Application Deadline: March 26, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (PDT) | March 27, 2025, at 5:59 p.m. (AEDT)

For more information about UNTAPPED 2025 and how to apply click here.

Presenting Partners:

Australians in Film and Screen Australia

Supporting Partners:

Screen NSW, Screen Queensland, Screenwest and VicScreen

Industry Partners:

Australian Directors Guild, Australian Writers Guild, Screen Canberra, Screen Producers Australia, Screen Tasmania, Screen Territory, South Australian Film Corporation, Screenworks. 

AiF Media Enquiries

Jane Lunn 

[email protected] 

+61 402 248 811 

Media enquiries

Maddie Walsh | Publicist

+ 61 2 8113 5915  | [email protected]

Jessica Parry | Senior Publicist (Mon, Tue, Thu)

+ 61 428 767 836  | [email protected]

All other general/non-media enquiries

Sydney + 61 2 8113 5800  |  Melbourne + 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]