Welcome to Come To Where I Am – Australia. 

In 2020, writers from across the country were commissioned to create a new 10 minute story that was made into a short video postcard – a snapshot of where they live – the places, people and environment that shapes their experience as Australians and artists. They took many forms – autobiographical monologues, new works of fiction, and contemporary tales based on traditional stories.

Fifteen stories were produced featuring sixteen writers, screening fortnightly as live watch parties on Facebook. We travelled to capital cities, tropical locations, a family farm in rural SA, and a tree-changed family in the Victorian highlands, just to name a few. The series brought together artists and audiences in a celebration of our connection to the places that shape us.

The four volumes of stories now live on as on-demand presentations in our Screening Room and on the Paines Plough website. Keep scrolling to learn about last year’s participants and to visit their video postcard.

SEASON TWO SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN

We’re inviting Australia-based writers to create our next series of short video stories, read or performed by the author. The story can be fiction or non-fiction, and should reflect what is special to you about the character of the place that you call home.

Successful story pitches will receive a $1500 writer’s fee, dramaturgical support from Paines Plough, and technical and editing services from Critical Stages Touring. The works will premiere as two volumes, each with a livestream produced by CST, in November 2021.

We’re seeking writers from every state and territory with an aim to find pieces that highlight regional and rural experiences alongside writers from our urban and suburban communities.

Come to Where I Am – Australia is supported by the NSW Government through CreateNSW, and the Australian Government through the RISE (Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand) fund, and the Australia Council for the Arts, it’s arts funding and advisory body.