Australian Plays Transform (APT) and Perpetual Limited, as Trustee, have officially announced First Nations playwright Shahnee Hunter as the winner of The Max Afford Playwrights' Award for 2026.
Hunter's winning play, She Is Not Alone, was selected unanimously by the Award panel.
The Max Afford Playwrights' Award is worth $33,000. Hunter will receive a $15,500 cash prize as well as a creative development of the play to be produced by APT.
This year's award saw a record-breaking number of submissions, with over one hundred plays submitted for consideration.
"We're delighted that Shahnee's work has been recognised in this way, and proud to support the development of She Is Not Alone," of the final selection, APT chief executive officer and executive producer Erin Taylor.
"Shahnee has a distinct voice, which is present throughout this play as she crafts narrative and characters that immediately capture our attention, drawing us into a story that is all at once funny, heartwarming and sad."
"This play demonstrates the capacity of theatre to take us on a shared journey that leaves us more powerful as a community than before, making it a worthy recipient of this Award."
Established by the late Thelma May in memory of her husband, playwright and novelist Max Afford, the biennial Award is dedicated to supporting young playwrights aged between 18 and 40.
Playwrights are required to submit a full-length unproduced play to be considered and the prize is awarded to the play an independent industry panel deems of the highest merit.
"I am overwhelmed and incredibly thankful. This award is such an amazing opportunity," said Hunter, an actor, playwright and proud Djabugay, Mbabaram, Ewamian and Butchulla woman from Far North Queensland.
"Thank you to Perpetual, Australian Plays Transform, the panel and of course Thelma and Max Afford whose generosity will allow me to experiment and develop my play in ways I hadn't imagined.
"This story is close to my heart and bringing these characters' voices to life is a surreal feeling."
The development of She Is Not Alone will take place in the coming year.
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