Long-time Mercury CX supporter, member and workshop participant Jason Chong has won the 2021 AACTA Reg Grundy Award. The award provides a prize to Australia’s next big competition format show.
“I’ve been a regular attendee of MCX’s Screenmakers Conferences, attended the Screen Makers Lab in 2019 and 2021, was a finalist for the Out of the Box initiative in 2019 and attended this year’s Pitch Lab with Ruth Estelle, where I began refining the pitch for The Second Best Gameshow” said Jason.
In 2019 the SAFC subsidised Jason to attend Screen Forever for the first time, and in 2021 he completed the SAFC Skilling SA training for the AD Department.
The AACTA Reg Grundy Award, offered in 2021 for the second time, saw applications across a number of formats competing for a $50000 prize including development funding.
This year’s winner was determined by a panel of established screen experts including Eden Gaha (President of unscripted television at Shine USA), Cathy Payne (CEO of Banijay Rights), Sharon Wheeler (Award-winning Senior Entertainment Executive), and Marion Farrelly (Speaker, consultant, TV & Film Producer), and Ian Hogg (Media CEO, Advisor, Australian Idol, Australia’s Got Talent, Family Feud).
“A great idea can come from anywhere. It’s our job, as an industry, to make sure such great ideas are heard and their creators are supported. The Reg Grundy Award represents the kind of encouragement and mentorship that has made Australian content what it is today. Now more than ever, this award underpins the importance of new perspectives on entertainment from people of all backgrounds. I see this year’s additional prize for innovative, young, creators as a tremendous way to seed the next great competition format.” said AACTA Reg Grundy Award Judge and President of Unscripted Television at Shine USA, Eden Gaha.
Speaking of the win, Jason said “There’s still loads of work to do, but this is a great chance to say thank you for all the support and opportunities that have been provided by Mercury CX. It has already made a huge difference in my career so far and I really do appreciate it.”
