This summer has seen the guild engage with high profile industry events including AACTA Awards and Festival. There was a wonderful turnout of nominees and winners at the AACTA Awards, reflecting the outstanding work of APDG members across film and television. Congratulations to all the APDG members who were nominated and won awards.
Andrew Cox represented APDG at the AACTA Careers Expo where he spoke with aspiring screen professionals about the many creative pathways into the industry and the Guild’s advocacy role. A big thank you to Andrew! Daniella Rigby joined him and also represented the guild on the ‘Life on Set’ panel, and Jason Baird APDG held a Special Makeup FX Showcase that offered audiences a dynamic look at the work of one of the most accomplished prosthetic artists working in Australia.
International Production Design Week (IPDW) in October 2025, was a standout success – bigger, better, and more dynamic than ever! Events were held in Melbourne and Sydney supported by a strong attendance from across the industry. Highlights include the opening night hosted by the Korean Cultural Centre Australia and ‘The Lead Club’, a character costume rendering workshop with Gypsy Taylor.
The APDG Screen Committee delivered strong outcomes throughout 2025, advancing key initiatives aimed at supporting professional standards, education, and industry engagement within Australia’s screen design community.
Key initiatives and progress in 2026 include the ongoing update of the Screen Guide Manual, ensuring the document remains current and reflective of industry best practice, and a Code of Conduct which has been drafted in collaboration with the Location Managers Guild, this joint effort aims to establish clear professional expectations and strengthen working relationships across departments.
Proposed initiatives to increase member engagement have been discussed at the most recent screen committee meeting, these include: informal meetups, networking events with other guilds, and a series of talks on networking, mentoring and negotiation skills – all tailored towards professional development for members. We are also going to start organising meetups at film festivals and art exhibitions, to strengthen networks within our guild community.
Upcoming 2026 Screen Committee Meeting Dates (7:00 – 8:00pm AEST via Zoom)
- Tuesday May 12
- Tuesday August 11
- Tuesday November 10
– Fiona Donovan, Chair Screen Committee
Image: APDG Members at the AACTA Awards 2025, left to right: Karla Urizar APDG, Melinda Doring APDG, Nick Dare, Maxine Dennett, Paul Sarpi, Maddy Worthington , Vanessa Cerne, Fiona Donovan APDG.