3 | Ruth Estelle (Award Winning Writer)

Today’s guest is Ruth Estelle, an award-winning writer.Ruth is part of the dynamic writing duo at Word Ninjas. She is also the Business and Media Manager for UK business, Emotion Coaching, and was previously a Development and Production Executive at The Mercury. Ruth has worked across a variety of formats, including TV, animation, feature films, and podcasts. She has also been a member of the Jury for the 2024 Script Swap program and will be joining the Official Selection Jury for the 2025 Adelaide Independent Film Festival. Wishes: Windows & Nests, a short animation co-written by Ruth, won Best Short Film Production of the Year at the 2025 Screen Producers Australia Awards. Ruth’s latest project, OK Boomer - a feature film co-written with Pete Monaghan - is due to go into production soon. In this episode, Ruth shares why she believes pitching is, in part, just a conversation and what she gained from her two-year mentorship with story consultant, Michael Hauge. Ruth also discusses what screenwriters should prioritise when seeking development funding from Screen Australia or state funding bodies like the South Australian Film Corporation.If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please subscribe and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all the updates. If you’d like to get involved and have specific questions for our guests, feel free to send us your questions, and we’ll look to include them in future episodes. Be sure to tell your friends and consider leaving us a review and rating to help spread the word.  Thanks for listening. The Soft Sticks Podcast is presented by the Adelaide Independent Film Festival and is hosted by Tom Kerby.For more information, please visit our website.This conversation was recorded in The Mercury’s Sound Lab. Not a member of Australia’s only subscription based cinema and screen industry support organisation? Sign up today via themercury.org.au/subscriptions About AIFFThe Adelaide Independent Film Festival (AIFF) is an annual celebration of short films, proudly presented in two beloved cinemas in the festival state of South Australia.