The AACTA Netflix Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills will form part of AACTA Festival, a five-day celebration of Australia’s vibrant screen industry. With more than 70 events, the AACTA Festival will present a dynamic array of panels, meet-and-greet, screenings and activities offering a place for the Australian screen industry to connect.
Screen Careers Expo
Date: Saturday 7th February 2026
Venue: Home of the Arts, Gold Coast
Find out more here: https://www.aactafestival.com/screen-careers-expo
Screen Careers Expo Saturday 7th Feb | Panels delivered by Essential Screen Skills:
Registrations Required
11:30am Hands-On Futures: Skilling for Success through Vocational Education
The screen industry is powered by creativity, collaboration, and practical skills. A strong vocational education is helping Australian talent step confidently into careers across the industry. In this session, hosted by SaCSA, hear from four screen professionals at different stages of their careers who started their journeys through vocational education pathways. Discover how hands-on training, industry connections, and real-world experience can open doors to rewarding roles behind and beyond the camera.
Featuring: Natalie Turmine, Jessica Margo, Joshua Tanner & Sam Graley
2:30pm Networking 101
This workshop is designed specifically for people who have never networked and want a starting point on how to navigate networking events, how to speak to Screen Industry professionals and how to connect with others. It is suitable for High School and University Students, recent graduates and those who have never stepped foot into a creative industries event.
Featuring: Moneth Montemayor and Lynne Benzie
2:30pm Life on Set
Want to know what it takes to work on a professional movie or TV set? Join our panel to hear from early career and industry pros about the challenges, exciting moments, and creative problem-solving that go into making a production run smoothly. Whether you’re dreaming of a career in film, TV, or just curious about how it all works behind the scenes, this session will give you a sneak peek into the world of professional filmmaking.
Featuring: Laura Clelland, Joshua Turner, Logan Collier, Daniella Rigby & Sarah Taylor
4:00pm Navigating the Screen Industry as an Actor
This engaging panel offers aspiring actors a unique opportunity to gain insider knowledge about breaking into the screen industry. From demystifying the casting process and building professional networks to managing rejection and refining your craft, this session covers it all. Attendees will leave equipped with practical advice and actionable strategies to kickstart and sustain a thriving acting career.
Featuring: Andrea Moor, Nancy Rizk, Shonee Samia & Joe Bird
The AACTA Festival will be running from Feb 4th – Feb 8th 2026!