Jen McAuliffe is an award-winning screenwriter who writes for television, film, and theatre, with a background in advertising and branded entertainment. Her breakout script Heartbreak Under a Neon Streetlight has earned 100+ international awards, alongside credits including Off-Broadway work, Cannes industry roundtables, and development roles at Fremantle Media Australia on shows such as Neighbours, Farmer Wants a Wife, and The X Factor. Following a rave-reviewed 2025 Melbourne Fringe season, she will present a new version of A Chip on Her Shoulder Off-Broadway at NYC Fringe in 2026.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

I’m genuinely excited because this opportunity sits right at the intersection of creativity, storytelling, and impact areas I’ve spent my career deeply invested in. The chance to contribute my perspective, learn from other industry leaders, and help elevate work that pushes the medium forward is incredibly motivating.

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

I worked as an account executive for an advertising company. It taught me how rapidly mediums evolve, from print to digital and online bundles, and how strong ideas need to translate across formats.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

Probably my spec script for Silicon Valley on HBO — it put me on the map internationally and helped break boundaries around what genres I could and couldn’t writer about

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

Being told no repeatedly, only to later see similar ideas brought to life — it tests resilience and belief in your voice.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

Story and concept are the foundation for me. I’m drawn to work with a distinct voice, strong intent, and emotional clarity. Technical excellence matters, but only insofar as it deepens the storytelling and connection with the audience.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

My current role centers on reading and assessing scripts, identifying the core idea, and understanding what the work is trying to make an audience feel or question. I evaluate how story, character, and structure work together, and where a piece has the potential to move people emotionally, intellectually, or culturally.
What I love most is that moment of connection: recognizing when a story has a clear voice and the power to shift perspective, spark empathy, or stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

After a successful Melbourne Fringe run, I’m stepping out of the TV and film space with Chip on Her Shoulder, a piece I wrote and directed for the NYC Fringe Festival. Starring Victoria Nieves and bringing a Latina perspective to this version, the work reflects my first love , theatre, and the excitement of live performance, where connection, vulnerability, and immediacy transform everything.

Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?

I often turn to walking in nature. When the body is moving and the mind settles into the quiet space in between, ideas surface more freely.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

I’ve always found my way through the world by engaging with other art forms. Experiencing stories through different mediums helped me understand myself, other people, and the world around me… and that’s what inspired me to pursue this path.

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

With second-screen behavior now the norm, creators need to think about how stories live beyond the primary screen, emotionally, culturally, and conversationally — without sacrificing depth.