About NAFA
[ Networking Action for Filmmakers & Actors ]
Sydney, Australia
NAFA is a networking group of actors, screenwriters, and filmmakers renowned for being creative and productive. We strongly believe in chasing our own opportunities to succeed in a tough industry.
Originating as a proactive actors’ group in 2002 (then called Networking Action For Actors), NAFA quickly expanded to include screenwriters and filmmakers. In doing so, we have become recognised as an important resource for castings and crew calls for shorts and features that range from student to independent and professional productions.
From the outset, NAFA has always been firmly based on the ideas of networking and education. We are best known for running the successful Choc Tops meetings, held each month at the Clock Hotel in Surry Hills.
On a larger scale, NAFA runs its film festival Show-Fest in late April or early May each year. Popular for the ‘Show & Tell’ format, cast and crew are invited onstage to discuss the making of their films after each screening. On a smaller scale, NAFA also organises script development workshops, social events, and a talent night.
In 2003 NAFA created its own film production company, NAFA Productions Pty Ltd. Drawing upon the group’s many talents and extensive connections, it has now made over 25 shorts and helped produce one feature. Some films have won awards, others have been selected as finalists and many have been shown on local TV. Getting good results on small budgets, the group has reached the level of expertise to take on bigger projects.
Our History at a Glance
| Apr 2002 | Networking Action For Actors (NAFA) is formed by Tony Chu and associates. Meets monthly. |
| Jun 2003 | Combines with Choc Tops in the Attic (a similar group for screenwriters and filmmakers). |
| May 2004 | Inaugural Show-Fest at the Sydney Comedy Store (Fox Studios). |
| Aug 2004 | Launches original Web site. |
| Aug 2004 | Inaugural Action-Fest. |
| Dec 2004 | Meaning of NAFA changed to “Networking Action for Filmmakers & Actors”. |
| Jul 2005 | First Great Debate. To be held annually. |
| Aug 2005 | First Tech Ed workshop. To be held annually. |
| Feb 2006 | Introduces monthly Script Development Workshops. |
| Apr 2006 | The “NAFA Bubble 2006” redesign is launched. |
| Apr 2008 | Film festivals move to the Greater Union cinemas. |
| Jul 2008 | Choc Tops in the Attic moves to the Fox & Lion Hotel. |
| Aug 2008 | The fifth and final Action-Fest film festival is held. NAFA to concentrate on running only one festival a year. |
| Feb 2009 | Choc Tops moves to the more central location of the Clock Hotel in Surry Hills. |
| Aug 2009 | Show-Fest finds its new home in the Ritz Cinema, Randwick. A successful partnership is formed between the cinema owner and NAFA, with future festivals to return. |
| Mar 2010 | The Australian Film Festival and NAFA co-host the Future Film Screenwriting Competition |
| Aug 2010 | Show-Fest becomes Australia’s first film festival to screen exclusively on 35mm film and DCI-DCP digital projection. |
| May 2010 | MACA (Medical And Corporate Actors) is launched. |
| May 2011 | Choc Tops moves 200 metres up the road from the Clock Hotel to the Dolphin Hotel in Surry Hills. |

