Screen NSW is pleased to invite you to an exclusive in-person Masterclass with two-time Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and showrunner, Tony McNamara.

Best known for his Academy Award-nominated screenplays for Poor Things and The Favourite, as well as acclaimed projects including The Great, Cruella, and The Roses, Tony McNamara is internationally recognised for his sharp, witty storytelling that seamlessly blends comedy, drama, and social satire. His distinctive voice has earned widespread critical acclaim across film, television, and theatre, with works celebrated for reimagining historical and fantastical worlds through a contemporary lens.

This rare masterclass will offer attendees the opportunity to gain firsthand insight into McNamara’s creative process, from developing award-winning screenplays and television series to crafting the bold characters, razor-sharp dialogue, and contemporary voice that have made his work internationally acclaimed.

The masterclass will be moderated by Caris Bizzaca.

Event details:

Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026

Time: Doors open 5.30pm, Masterclass 6.00 - 7.00pm

Venue: State Library Auditorium, Mitchell Library, 1 Shakespeare Pl, Sydney NSW 2000

Please RSVP by Thursday 13 August 2026

Photography and/or filming is not permitted at the session.

If you are unable to attend, please advise the Screen NSW team via engagement@screen.nsw.gov.au

Tony McNamara

Tony McNamara is a two-time Academy Award-nominated screenwriter and playwright, best known for his work on Poor Things, which earned him his second Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. The film, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, tells the story of a young woman resurrected by a scientist and was the second-most Oscar-nominated film of 2023.

McNamara previously collaborated with Lanthimos and Stone on The Favourite, which earned him BAFTA Award and Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay. He also wrote Cruella, the origin story of the iconic villain, which received critical acclaim and multiple award nominations. He created the Emmy-nominated historical comedy series The Great, starring Elle Fanning, which earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and two Writers Guild of America awards for Best episode of a comedy.

McNamara began his career in theatre with the play The Café Latte Kid, later transitioning to television with acclaimed series such as Tangle and Puberty Blues. McNamara’s work is celebrated for blending humour, drama, and sharp social commentary, often infusing historical or fantastical stories with contemporary wit and emotional depth. His most recent film, The Roses was directed by Jay Roach and starred Olivia Coleman and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Contact the host of Screen NSW August Masterclass with Tony McNamara