SPA names inaugural Producer Fellowship recipients

Screen Producers Australia (SPA) has named Liam Heyen and Madeleine Hetherton-Miau as the first recipients of its Producer Fellowship, a six-month program that helps mid-career producers grow their businesses and secure international partnerships.

The pair will receive mentoring, industry introductions and access to opportunities at SCREEN FOREVER as they develop projects for international markets.

SPA CEO Matthew Deaner said both producers have demonstrated their ability to make Australian work that reaches overseas audiences.

“Liam and Madeleine are accomplished producers who have already demonstrated their ability to create distinctive Australian work that resonates internationally.

“The SPA Producer Fellowship is about supporting producers at a pivotal point in their careers, helping them deepen international relationships, create new partnerships and build sustainable businesses with a global outlook.

“We’re delighted to welcome Liam and Madeleine as our inaugural Fellows and look forward to supporting them through the program.”

Scripted and documentary experience

Heyen co-founded production company Mad Ones with Cyna Strachan, focusing on LGBTQI+ stories and filmmakers.

His feature credits include Sophie Hyde’s Jimpa, starring Olivia Colman and John Lithgow, which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. He also produced Tilda Cobham-Hervey’s upcoming It’s All Going Very Well…, starring Cobham-Hervey and Jonathan Pryce.

His television work includes the AACTA-nominated Erotic Stories, Latecomers, which won an AACTA Award and a Screen Producers Award, and Homebodies, which premiered at Series Mania in 2026.

Heyen began his career at Goalpost Pictures and graduated from AFTRS and Griffith Film School.

Hetherton-Miau co-founded Media Stockade with Rebecca Barry in 2012. Her documentary and factual productions have reached audiences in more than 60 countries through broadcasters and platforms including National Geographic, Netflix, ABC, BBC, SBS and Hulu.

She directed and produced Mozart’s Sister, which won two AACTA Awards and received a Rose d’Or nomination. Her other credits include The Surgery Ship, The Family Court Murders, Debi Marshall Investigates: Frozen Lies and Power Meri.

Her current projects include Saving Tuvalu, a ZDF/ARTE co-production with Germany’s Filmtank, and Vivaldi’s Orphans, which is in advanced financing with French and Austrian partners.

Mentoring and international access

Each fellow will receive one-on-one mentoring from an established SPA member, introductions to industry partners and complimentary access to SPA’s Masterclass series.

At SCREEN FOREVER, the fellowship includes participation in Global Connect, curated meetings with international guests, early access to Partnerships Forum and Pitch Meetings, and a 50% discount on a Gold Coast 3-Day Badge.

SPA launched the fellowship in August 2026 for mid-career Australian screen producers seeking to expand their businesses and develop international co-productions.