This week, Screen Forever 39 took place on the Gold Coast. It’s one of Australia’s premier events for screen practitioners, where creators from across the country gather to share, learn, inspire, and celebrate everything happening in the world of film, TV, and digital media.
At first, I was hesitant about attending. The ticket was a big investment, would it be worth the cost? Could I justify taking time away from my own work? I’ve seen the event advertised before and knew it was a major date on the Australian screen calendar, but I only discovered the exact dates two weeks before it began, and I was still on the fence.
Then I checked out the program.
One panel stood out immediately: Adult Animation—my passion. The lineup featured creators I truly admire:
Michael Cusack, who’s redefined what Australian adult animation can be with his unique storytelling style. Daniel Weidenfeld, Senior Vice President at Bento Box Entertainment, who’s played a key role in bringing powerful IPs to screens globally. Tom Phillips and Leela Varghese, the brilliant team behind Lesbian Space Princess.
Even with that, I hesitated — until I spoke with an advisor. She reminded me: If you want to be taken seriously, you have to show up in serious spaces. That struck a chord. Was I serious about Remember Kate? The answer was yes—so I bought my ticket.
Was the event magical? Did I leave with a stack of contacts and a yellow brick road paved in gold?
Not quite, but it was still incredible.
SPA and The Star put together a stunning event. The venue was vibrant, the speakers were insightful, and the energy was infectious. My biggest challenge wasn’t the event, it was my own self-doubt. Pushing past that to share the story of Remember Kate was huge for me.
Yes, it was great to connect to familiar contacts I haven’t seen in a long time, and I made new connections, but it didn’t come naturally. Networking feels so uncomfortable. But I know that growth only happens when you step outside your comfort zone.
Was Screen Forever worth attending? Absolutely. Being immersed in that environment, hearing others’ journeys and struggles, and receiving real feedback on my own work — it’s invaluable.
Growth only comes when you step outside your comfort zone. And Screen Forever 39 gave me that opportunity.