New screen initiative looks to showcase Far North Queensland’s cuisine, culture and community

A new talent development initiative - Tastes of the Tropics - looks to showcase North and Far North Queensland cuisine, culture and community with the initiative being part of Screen Queensland’s North Queensland Regional Program, delivered by Screenworks, in association with SBS.

Tastes of the Tropics will support three mid-career filmmakers/filmmaking teams with $28,000 each to create a compelling, high quality food story from their region under the guidance of independent Supervising Producer, Karen Warner (Network Executive Producer, MasterChef and Executive Producer, Rachel Khoo’s Kitchen Notebook Melbourne), with the opportunity for broadcast on the SBS Food channel. 

Screen Queensland Chief Creative Officer, Dr Belinda Burns said that this is a special opportunity for regional screen practitioners to increase their skills and industry experience, while inspiring SBS viewers with a taste of the people and produce that make tropical Queensland so unique.

“Tastes of the Tropics encourages local collaborations on local stories, introducing audiences to passionate farmers, innovative chefs, local providores or foodie families with recipes to share. 

“Participants will be supported from script to final edit picture lock, and we look forward to seeing the delicious, diverse and distinctive flavours of North and Far North Queensland showcased on SBS Food.”

Screenworks Chief Executive Lisa O’Meara said she was looking forward to the impact these projects will have on the careers of the selected participants and the roll-on effect this has in growing the region’s screen industry. 

“This program is pitched at practitioners with mid-level screen skills from the North and Far North of Queensland, and it’s a first for Screenworks. This is an unmissable opportunity for them to develop their filmmaking skills and networks in collaboration with screen professionals from SBS, and Karen Warner.

“Tastes of the Tropics will create pathways for talented practitioners to develop unique concepts with broadcast potential,” O’Meara said.

Head of Entertainment and Food at SBS, Emily Griggs, said SBS was excited about the potential for distinctive Australian stories to be uncovered through the initiative. 

“Food provides a wonderful pathway to delve into cultures, history and identity, and explore the unique stories – and flavours – of Australia. We celebrate cuisine, and the way it connects communities, from Australia and around the world on SBS Food, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to also explore the talent of this spectacular region of Australia, as part of our commitment to supporting pathways for emerging practitioners.” 

Three mid-career filmmakers/filmmaking teams will be funded up to $28,000 each to produce a 22–26-minute episode ready for broadcast, working closely with the Supervising Producer and a professional post house. 

First Nations screen practitioners are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to ensuring diverse representation across all aspects of the production and development process, including differences in gender, age, First Nations identity, cultural and linguistic diversity, disability, sexuality (LGBTQIA+) and socio-economic status.

Applications are open now via the Screen Queensland website.

Applicants should be familiar with the guidelines and terms and conditions before submitting their proposal. Applications close 9am AEST, Monday 1st May 2023.