Celebrate 2026 & Discover What’s Next! 

Join us for a free Open Day. Discover the people, opportunities and resources available to help you take your next steps into South Australia’s screen industry and celebrate The Mercury’s 2026 Youth Pathway Program.

Enjoy a curated program of Mercury-funded short films, and industry panel discussions and Q&As featuring some of SA’s leading screen practitioners. Hear their insights and experiences, ask questions and connect with them in person. 

Go behind the scenes with guided tours of The Mercury’s professional-grade facilities, including our audio booth, sound lab, colour grading suite, edit suites, production offices and writers’ room. 

Meet fellow emerging and aspiring filmmakers, discover pathways into the screen industry and find out about applications for our 2027 Youth Pathway Program and new Emerging Curator’s Program.

OPEN DAY PROGRAM
Saturday 5th December

11.00am–12.00pm  Short Film Showcase 

A curated screening of SA-made and Mercury-funded content celebrating emerging South Australian filmmaking talent. 

12.10pm–12.50pm | Panel 1: Making It in SA – Building a Screen Career or Business 

Can you build a successful screen career, or even run your own production company, right here in South Australia? 

Hear from three established producers who have done just that. Discover how they’ve built their careers and businesses, developed projects, navigated the industry and created opportunities locally and internationally.
An opportunity to gain first-hand insights into building a sustainable and rewarding career in South Australia’s screen sector. Featuring:

Rebecca Summerton
International award-winning producer – including Sundance and Berlinale – and co-founder of SA-based Closer Productions 

Kirsty Stark
International Emmy Award-winning producer and founder of SA-based Epic Films 

Michelle Hardy
International Emmy Award-winning producer and co-founder of SA-based Hardy White Pictures 

12.50pm–1.30pm | Panel 2: Breaking Through – The Next Generation of SA Filmmakers 

What does it really take to establish yourself as a filmmaker and get your projects off the ground? 

Hear from three exciting South Australian practitioners forging their own paths in the screen industry.
From finding collaborators and accessing opportunities to developing projects and securing those all-important first credits, discover their experiences, lessons learned and advice for aspiring and emerging filmmakers looking to make their mark. 

1.30pm–3.00pm | Networking, Industry Meet & Greets and Facilities Tours 

Connect with industry guests and fellow filmmakers, and enjoy guided tours of The Mercury’s professional facilities and equipment. Discover the resources, opportunities and industry connections available to support your creative ambitions.

Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, emerging creative or simply curious about the screen industry, come along, make connections and discover what’s possible at The Mercury! 

Date: Saturday 5 December 2026
Time: 11.00am–3.00pm (Doors 10.30am)
Venue: The Mercury
Cost: FREE