GERARD DEWHURST

SCREENWRITER

Gerard is an emerging screenwriter and novelty sock addict. He is passionate about celebrating all facets of queer life and bringing stories of this diverse community to the screen.

He completed a Master of Arts Screen: Screenwriting at the Australian Film Television Radio School (AFTRS) in 2021, where he specialised in queer theory and Camp Style stories. He wrote two major AFTRS short films, a queer drama Reunion (dir. Gilbert Kemp Atrill) which explores a long-distance gay relationship stuck in limbo hoping to reconnect via a summer beach holiday. The second short, MumLife (dir. Ruby Challenger) is a musical dramedy that centres around a first-time mum ignoring her postpartum anxiety until she finally escapes her surprise 30th birthday party. MumLife premiered as part of the official 2022 selection at the Cannes Film Festival.

Gerard is also developing a 6x1-hour episode sports drama, The Midfield, about the first male professional player to come out in the Australian Football League (AFL) - something that is yet to occur in the real world. This project received development funding from AFTRS and was story produced by AACTA nominated screenwriter and producer Matthew Dabner. The Midfield is a post-coming out story that not only highlights issues in western heteronormative society but it more importantly celebrates queer life.

Currently, Gerard is working with the MumLife team on a self-produced TikTok series titled Swipe Right, realising actor Chloe Bayliss’ (Doctor Doctor) original concept of a young woman navigating the world of online app dating. He has written a 20x1-minute episode script that is currently in production.

Gerard is looking forward to bringing his energy and passion to ‘Camp-up’ the media landscape.