Kelli relocated to Denham in December 2021 to live with her mum as her rental property lease was not renewed in Perth, and she became one of many people who was unable to find somewhere to rent.
Kelli’s husband passed away twelve years ago, and she also has four children. Two sons who are employed, and her two daughters are still in high school. As you might imagine, moving back with her mum was a challenge and also Kelli’s family. At the time Kelli was employed seasonally in the film industry. Upon moving to Denham Kelli got work as a retail assistant at Shark Bay Supermarket.
She was keen to improve her employment situation and submitted an entry into the SBS Emerging Writers Incubator which was a nationwide initiative supporting the under-represented screenwriting talent in Australia. The successful writers were to be chosen from hundreds of submissions to join leading Australian production companies for a year of paid employment as they forge their careers in the sector.
Kelli was advised she had been selected as the WA recipient of SBS Emerging Writers Incubator.
Kelli Stated “ being selected really is like a dream come true for someone like me, as finding the time to sit down and write is something I’ve always struggled with over the years being a mum of four kids. So, to have a whole year to focus on writing and learning the craft at the highest calibre from the team at Easy Tiger is truly a blessing indeed! I can’t wait to make the big move east and embrace everything that Easy Tiger has to offer as one of Australia’s leading production companies.”
First Nations WA writer/director Kelli Cross is one of six screenwriters selected for the nationwide program, joining Easy Tiger Productions in NSW. Congratulations Kelli
About the SBS Emerging Writers’ Incubator
The SBS Emerging Writers’ Incubator is a nationwide industry initiative supporting the development of under-represented screenwriting talent in Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; people who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or with disability; people who are female or gender diverse; people who identify as LGBTQIA+; and people located in regional and remote areas. In its second year, the initiative is delivered in partnership with Screen Australia, state and territory agencies Screen NSW, Screen Queensland, Screen Territory, Screenwest, the South Australian Film Corporation and VicScreen, and with the assistance of the Australian Writers’ Guild.
