Screen leaders head to the Sunshine Coast for industry summit
The Sunshine Coast’s screen industry will take centre stage this month as some of Australia’s most influential screen executives, commissioners and creatives gather for Screen Summit 2026.
Screen Queensland
As Queensland leads the nation in screen production expenditure, the Sunshine Coast is positioning itself to share in the industry's growth, bringing senior executives and commissioners from Screen Queensland, ABC and SBS to the region for Screen Summit on Friday 23 October.
Held as part of SHOWFEST 2026, the annual event will bring filmmakers, writers, producers and screen professionals together for a day of industry insight, networking and future-focused discussion.
More than 25 speakers will feature across the program, representing some of the country’s leading screen organisations and broadcasters and offering valuable insights into content development, commissioning, funding opportunities and emerging industry trends.
Much-loved Queensland actress and presenter Terasa Livingstone will also attend SHOWFEST. Australian audiences grew up watching Terasa on Agro's Cartoon Connection and The Great Outdoors, before she went on to build an international career across film and television. With more than three decades in the industry, her US credits include Lost, CSI: NY and the feature film 21.
Driving opportunities for local creatives
Queensland recorded a record $925 million in drama production expenditure in 2024–25, representing 34 per cent of Australia's total. Closer to home, a 2023 industry study identified approximately 115 production companies on the Sunshine Coast, demonstrating an established industry base with potential for further growth.
The summit provides a unique opportunity for Sunshine Coast creatives to connect directly with the people shaping Australia’s screen industry.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said Council’s vision was for the region to be recognised not only as a beautiful filming location, but as a place where screen businesses, creatives and productions could thrive.
Events like the Screen Summit and Showfest help build the connections, skills and opportunities that make that vision possible, Mayor Natoli said.
“Now in its fifth year, the Sunshine Coast Screen Summit shows just what can be achieved when industry, government and screen organisations work together to support talent and grow Queensland’s screen industry.
“Helping this industry to expand creates so many opportunities for an exciting future.”
The event supports Council’s commitment to fostering creative industries, creating economic opportunities and helping local talent build sustainable careers in the screen sector.
Exploring the future of storytelling
A key feature of Screen Summit 2026 will be a discussion on the growing role of artificial intelligence in screen production and storytelling.
Industry experts will explore how emerging technologies are changing the way content is developed and produced while considering the opportunities and challenges facing creators in an evolving digital landscape.
The session is expected to spark discussion about the future of filmmaking and the balance between technological innovation and creative storytelling.
Celebrating Sunshine Coast success stories
The summit will also shine a spotlight on the achievements of Sunshine Coast-connected creatives who are making an impact across Australia and internationally.
From award-winning filmmakers and producers to emerging storytellers, the region continues to develop a strong pipeline of creative talent and screen production capability.
The Sunshine Coast's growing screen industry is also reflected in the achievements of its creative professionals. Summit panellist Ivan O'Mahoney produced and co-directed Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story, winner of Best Factual or Documentary Program at the 2025 Logie Awards and Best Editing in a Documentary at the 2026 AACTA Awards.
Fellow panellist Adam Szudrich directed the award-winning short film Extraordinary Rob, which has received international recognition, winning eight awards and securing 17 nominations across 27 film festivals. The film was co-written and produced by Jon Coghill, co-founder of the Sunny Coast Showdown and drummer of ARIA Award-winning Australian band Powderfinger.
Other Sunshine Coast-connected success stories include Catherine Mack's Swimmers, which received Screen Queensland production funding and secured US and worldwide distribution; Amy Parry's Screen Australia-supported Rainbow Bop; and Zip and the Tiny Sprouts, the award-winning animated series from Emmy Award-winning producer Peter Johnston of FadeIn Studios, now screening on ABC Kids and ABC iView.
Building a thriving screen industry
The Sunshine Coast screen sector continues to gain momentum through initiatives that support professional development, industry collaboration and production opportunities.
Programs such as ScreenHub Nambour and the Sunny Coast Showdown are helping develop local talent, while industry organisations continue to advocate for greater opportunities and investment in the region.
David Edgar, President of the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective, said the summit played an important role in connecting regional creatives with industry decision makers.
“For too long, regional filmmakers have had to travel to capital cities to get in front of the people making decisions. Screen Summit reverses that, bringing Australia's leading screen commissioners and executives directly to the Sunshine Coast.
“We have talented people, successful productions and an industry that's ready to grow. The next step is making sure the opportunities, infrastructure and investment are here to support them.”
Be part of the conversation
As part of SHOWFEST 2026, Screen Summit offers an opportunity for creatives, industry professionals and aspiring filmmakers to connect, learn and explore the future of Australia’s screen industry.
Screen Summit 2026
Date: Friday, 23 October 2026
Time: 9am-5pm
Location: Level 2, Maroochy RSL, 105 Memorial Avenue, Maroochydore
Beyond the Summit, the Sunshine Coast Screen Collective, with 400 paid members, focuses on building a sustainable regional screen industry through professional training, production opportunities, and infrastructure development.
Its initiatives include ScreenHub Nambour and the Sunny Coast Showdown, which provides local filmmakers with development support, industry mentoring and opportunities to take original projects into production. The Collective is also progressing plans for a regional studio production precinct to expand local production capacity and create more opportunities for screen industry employment.