Jen McAuliffe

Jen McAuliffe is a multi-award-winning writer, producer and director whose work spans television, film and theatre. A multi-hyphenate creative, she moves fluidly across all realms of storytelling  from TV and film development to stage, music journalism and podcasting.

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Her career began in the writers’ room of Australian television soap opera,  Neighbours, before joining Fremantle Australia’s Global Drama Script Club where she worked across development and pitches in both unscripted (reality) and scripted (drama) formats ( X Factor, Farmer Wants a Wife, Stargazing, )

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Her screenplay Heartbreak Under a Neon Streetlight has earned more than 100 international awards, including Best Female Screenwriter at the Chicago Script Awards and Best TV Pilot at the Hollywood Script Awards. The script’s exploration of gaslighting and modern relationships was also featured in ELLE Canada. She has won several awards for her other scripts, which can be viewed on the relevant page.

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Mentored by Steve Leff (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Jen continues to expand her work across genres. Her original stage play that she wrote and directed,  Chip on Her Shoulder,   premiered at the 2025 Melbourne Fringe Festival, earning rave reviews for its fearless humour and emotional depth.

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Beyond the screen, she has produced creative roundtables at the Cannes Film Festival, contributed to off-Broadway productions, and served as a festival juror. Her short works  Lipsmacker, Last Active, and the documentary Bleeding Through Taboo,  reflect her curiosity and commitment to honest, human storytelling.

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She is also the creator and host of Chatworthy, a podcast exploring music, creativity and mental health in the entertainment industry, and co-founder of Off With Their Heads Productions with actress Victoria Nieves, developing new theatre work for 2024 and beyond.

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Jen is an Aussie but holds the prestigious O-1B Visa for Extraordinary Ability in the Arts and full work authorisation in the United States. She is a collaborative and playful writer who thrives on bringing meaningful stories to life — the kind that spark conversation, connection, and change.