ElevateUs

OVERVIEW

What is ElevateUs?

ElevateUs is a 3 month mentorship program focused on supporting the careers of women and gender-diverse screen industry professionals.

Launched originally as MentorHer, ElevateUs is the next iteration of this national program. Delivered through WIFT Australia, and supported by Screen Australia’s Gender Matters Taskforce, ElevateUs is set to drive authentic and meaningful industry change, while upskilling our rising talent and forming stronger connections and collaboration across the country and internationally. When one rises, we all rise together.

What does ElevateUs offer?

ElevateUs provides a 3 month mentorship program offering the following:

  • 3 month mentorship program with one-on-ones and monthly check ins;

  • Support resources and guides to ensure the goals and outcomes are achieved throughout the mentorship program; and

  • A complete 12 Month WIFT Australia Membership for ElevateUs participants who are not already members.

The mentorship program will run from March 2024 - May 2024.

Application process

Who Can Apply?

Both mentors and mentees are invited to apply.

WIFT has selected some international and local mentors to participate in this scheme.

We strongly encourage applications from:

  • CALD background

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

  • LGBTQI+

  • People living with a Disability

  • People living in Rural and Remote areas

Eligibility Requirements - Mentors:

  • Over the age of 18

  • Available over the mentorship program period (March - May 2024);

  • Able to support one or more mentees

  • Able to demonstrate 3-5 years (or equivalent part-time) experience in narrative fiction, documentary or games content; or able to demonstrate relevant experience through credits or body of work. Applicants are invited from across a range of platforms including online, short film, television or feature film.

Anyone can be a mentor regardless of gender identity.

A read-only PDF version of the Mentor form can be read below.

Eligibility Requirements - Mentees:

  • Over the age of 18

  • An Australian citizen or resident (being a person who is lawfully domiciled in Australia, and who has actually been in Australia, continuously or intermittently, for more than one half of the year immediately preceding the application)

  • Female-identifying or gender-diverse

  • Available over the mentorship program period (March - May 2024)

A read-only PDF version of the Mentee form can be read below.

How to Apply

Applications must include:

  • A brief bio up to 200 words

  • A statement outlining your goal/s for the program (for example, what you would like to achieve, what you hope to gain)

Applicants will have the opportunity to list relevant credits and to link to supporting material such as their website, IMDb page or LinkedIn page.

Please Note Mentee Applications have now closed.

Application results

How will the Applicants be Assessed?

Mentor and mentee applicants will be assessed using the following criteria:

  • Goal/s for the program as outline in the submitted statement

  • Alignment with the values of the Gender Matters Taskforce and WIFT Australia

Additionally, mentor applicants will be assessed against their demonstrated commitment to supporting others in their careers and desire to form genuine connections.

Applications will be assessed by WIFT Australia and the Gender Matter Taskforce with successful mentor and mentees matches notified in February 2024.

How will Mentors and Mentees be Matched?

WIFT Australia will be matching the Mentors and Mentees based on the following criteria:

  • The roles of both mentor and mentee in the industry;

  • The mentor’s career stage;

  • The mentee’s career stage;

  • The specific lived experience of both mentor and mentee;

  • Mentee’s interests and their desired program outcomes; and

  • Mentor’s capacity to take on mentees