We take ideas seriously and are about curiosity, kindness, and courage.
Unless is about building collectives of makers and communities of screen-enthusiasts. We’ll speak to them — about what makes them laugh, what breaks their hearts, what scares them, and what gives them hope — and we’ll listen when they’re talking.
We’re taking a seat at the table, pulling up chairs for others, and then building a bigger table.
Meg O’Connell
Company Director, Producer, Writer
Meg is the Company Director at Unless Pictures where she manages the company and develops original work as a producer and as a writer (rep. Nellie Flannery at Shanahan). O’Connell was the showrunner on RETROGRADE (ABC TV) and produced the award-winning shows ROBBIE HOOD (SBS/NITV), CONTENT (ABC), and DOODLES (ABC/NBCU). O’Connell also developed the international sensation BLUEY (ABC/BBC/Disney+) and recently produced the second series of Tim Minchin’s show UPRIGHT (Foxtel/Sky UK) for Lingo Pictures. WINDCATCHER is O’Connell’s first feature which she devleoped and co-produced.
Rosie Lourde
Executive Producer
Rosie Lourde is a filmmaker traversing roles, formats and genres, who also has a passion for advocacy. Rosie’s feature directorial debut, ROMANCE ON THE MENU, trended on Netflix and was nominated for a Director’s Guild award. Horror short, DASHCAM, screened in competition at CanneSeries as part of anthology series DEADHOUSE DARK, and digital series, STARTING FROM NOW, has amassed almost 200 million views online. As an actor, Rosie can be seen on screen in Paramount+ series ONE NIGHT, and will be in the upcoming season 3 of ABC’s TOTAL CONTROL. Rosie was formerly an Investment Manager of Screen Australia’s Online Production fund, was co-Vice President of WIFTNSW, has been a member of the Gender Matters Taskforce since 2020, and became the Taskforce Chair in 2023.
Hannah Belanszky
Development Coordinator & Former Playwright-In-Residence
Hannah is a writer, actor and Yuwaalaraay woman based in Brisbane. Her play don’t ask what the bird look like PREMIERED at Queensland Theatre in 2023, and was shortlisted for the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award. In 2024, her play SAPLINGS will premiere at Sydney festival.
AP Pobjoy
Development Executive
AP Pobjoy is a trans and queer ADG nominated writer, director and documentary-maker based on unceded Gadigal Land. They were the recipient of the Film Victoria 2021 Screen Development Internship, having worked inside Film Victoria, ABC, Fremantle Media and Aquarius Films in feature and series development. Their credits include Retrograde, Scattered, whilst directing Why Did She Have to Tell The World for the ABC and and vertical online series Unerased. AP is also a recipient of the 2022 UNTAPPED Initiative supported by Australians in Film and Screen Australia.
Lilli Corrias-Smith
Production & Development Assistant
Lilli is an emerging writer & director, who also works within camera and video split departments. Lilli completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Film and Screen Media Production with Distinction, under the Deans Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship. She wrote and directed her award-winning, ADG nominated, graduate short film 'BEFORE WE’RE GONE'. Lilli most recently worked on BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE, LA BREA Season 3 & MORTAL KOMBAT 2 as Video Split, and WINDCATCHER as Director’s Assistant and Video Split, while simultaneously assisting Unless Pictures.
Jamie Freestone
Business & Creative
Jamie is a writer, researcher. After finishing his PhD and Postdoc in science communication, philosophy and English literature, he turned to screenwriting.
Colleen Wall
Elder in Residence
Colleen is a Senior Woman from the Dauwa Clan of the Kabi Nation (western Mary River catchment in South East Queensland). Colleen has worked in the Queensland Arts & Cultural industries for over 30 years, with a focus on First Nation cultural protection and maintenance.
Jenny Lalor
Lawyer
Jenny has been working in legal and business affairs in film and television for more years than she cares to admit. She has worked for the BBC, Carlton Television and Tiger Aspect Productions (including on Billy Elliot and The Animated Mr. Bean). She now has her own practice specialising in entertainment law and has worked on projects such as Bluey (ABC),The Hunting (SBS) and Drop Dead Weird (Seven Network).
Ian Murray
113 Partners
Ian is an experienced, hands-on media and entertainment expert who assists Australia’s most cutting edge creative businesses to grow, seek investment, and realise their value.
Maddie Nixon
Former Playwright-In-Residence
Maddie is a playwright and director (Dead Puppet Society, The Good Room) who is excited to write jokes for the screen.
Website & Branding by Breeder Studio.
Illustrations by Ryan Asher McShane.