​Oscar-nominated screenwriter and former Australian Writers’ Guild President Jan Sardi has been recognised for his distinguished service to the film and television industries as a screenwriter and director, and to professional guilds, awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours announced today.

The Australian Writers’ Guild in collaboration with Audible, the world’s leading provider and producer of audiobooks and spoken word entertainment, and with support from Screen Australia, have launched an exciting new podcast competition and development opportunity for Australian writers.

The Great Australian Binge gives the Australian public the chance to vote online for the Australian film or show they’ve loved watching in lockdown and sign a petition calling on Arts Minister Paul Fletcher to do more to support the people who make the entertainment Australia loves.

Vale Ken Methold. AWG committee member, founding member of CAL, scriptwriter for theatre, TV, radio and film, novelist, ESL writer

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, many theatre producers have been looking to stream recorded versions or live readings of plays. While the Australian Writers’ Guild is supportive of these initiatives, we also want to ensure that playwrights are being treated fairly.