CATALYST
Building global pathways for Australian screen producers
The WIFT Australia Catalyst Program is an international market access and career development initiative designed to help Australian women and gender-diverse producers take ambitious screen projects to the global stage.
Through competitive selection, targeted industry preparation and supported participation at leading international festivals and markets, Catalyst gives producers the opportunity to build the skills, relationships and market intelligence needed to position their projects internationally.
Across the program, delegates gain exposure to buyers, commissioners, financiers, sales agents, distributors and co-production partners, supported by strategic guidance in areas including pitching, audience positioning and market planning.
Catalyst is about more than attending a market. It is about creating momentum by strengthening projects, building producer capability, developing international relationships and opening pathways to financing, sales and co-production. In doing so, the program increases the visibility of Australian screen stories and supports Australian producers to compete with confidence in a rapidly changing global industry.
MIFF 37o South Market Producer Delegation - 2026
The Catalyst partnership with MIFF 37°South Market was designed to expand access to one of Australia's key screen industry markets, supporting a group of producers from outside Victoria to participate in the program.
Selected producers gained access to market activity and industry networking while connecting with producers, buyers, commissioners and potential partners. WIFT Australia's broader presence at MIFF also included a networking event and participation in the State of Play industry program, creating further opportunities for delegates and members to engage with contemporary industry conversations.
By supporting producers from across Australia to participate, the program broadened access to market intelligence, professional networks and business opportunities, while helping producers develop the relationships and confidence required to take their projects into international markets.
European Film Market - Berlin 2026
Held alongside the Berlin International Film Festival, the European Film Market (EFM) is one of the international film industry's major business and trading markets, bringing together producers, distributors, buyers, sales agents, financiers and other industry decision-makers from around the world.
Through Catalyst, selected Australian producers gained first-hand experience of this international marketplace and opportunities to build relationships with potential sales, financing and co-production partners. The experience allowed delegates to test the positioning of their projects in an international context, deepen their understanding of global financing and sales pathways, and develop networks that can support projects well beyond the market itself.
With the Berlinale Co-Production Market also taking place alongside EFM, the program provided valuable exposure to the international conversations and partnerships that underpin cross-border production.
“The Berlin EFM Catalyst program has had a genuinely significant impact on both our project and our company, Razor Bear Films. It was truly an invaluable experience, and I’m so grateful to WIFT Australia for selecting me for this opportunity. Without question, the most valuable aspect was access. Being in the room with filmmakers, producers, sales agents and distributors from around the world completely expanded my perspective on what is possible. Hearing how they develop projects, finance films, build partnerships and navigate international markets has genuinely shaped how I think about our company's future.”
-Laura Sambono
Content London 2025
Content London brings together the global drama, formats and factual communities for three days of conference sessions, screenings, meetings and networking, with a strong focus on creating partnerships and finding new ways to finance and produce content.
Through Catalyst, selected producers entered this international environment with access to commissioners, streamers, financiers, co-production partners and distributors, while gaining valuable insight into changing commissioning models, digital-first content and emerging sources of content investment.
The program also incorporated high-level industry consultancy, including expertise from David Swetman, SVP Content and Commercial Strategy at All3Media International, helping delegates strengthen their understanding of international content strategy, refine their market approach and identify potential partners for their projects.
“I went into London wanting to find UK reps, and hopeful that I could start working on UK shows more. From the trip, I signed with Lark as my agents. I'm also currently directing on my first UK show - a copro between ITV and Stan. I definitely feel this is a direct result of the trip as I happened to have been in London at the time and was able to meet with the producer in person to talk about the show - always a much better way to make a strong first impression!”
-Corrie Chen
Catalyst Pitch 2024
The Cannes component of Catalyst provided competitively selected Australian producers with the opportunity to take their projects into a major international market environment and engage directly with the global screen industry.
Through market participation, delegates were able to test the international positioning of their projects, develop their pitching approach and build relationships across distribution, financing and co-production. The experience was designed to move projects beyond a solely domestic context, giving producers greater insight into what international partners are looking for and strengthening their confidence and networks in the global marketplace.
“The most beneficial part (of the Cannes Catalyst Program) was definitely the meetings for my film, followed closely by finding a supportive group of peers to navigate the space with! It was fun. The outcomes were signing with Submarine for distribution and getting support from Microsoft. Spreadsheet Champions was completed and premiered at SXSW and I believe Submarine had a lot to do with this.”
-Kristina Kraskov