DARREN MARKEY

Darren Markey is a prolific, award winning, critically acclaimed Australian based screenwriter and playwright.

During late 1992 Darren landed a job as Acting General Manger (and sometime resident director) at Karnak Playhouse FNQ, where he worked and lived alongside renowned Australian actress, Diane Cilento and her husband, playwright/screenwriter, Anthony Shaffer. It was this period and contact with Diane and Tony, and the ensuing support,  that would inspire Darren to set out on his journey as a playwright/screenwriter. A journey he continues today.

From 1994 to 2000 Darren worked as a playwright/director/producer in the Melbourne independent theatre scene, developing a reputation for excellence and an individual voice, with reviews to match.  In 2002 Darren completed his first screenplay, LILLY - travelling from his then hometown of Melbourne to Los Angeles to begin his journey as screenwriter. Darren has since developed a slate of screen projects that demonstrate his pursuit of telling authentic, entertaining stories with universal themes.

Darren was screenwriter/associate producer on the supernatural thriller, THE UNLIT (aka WITCHES OF BLACKWOOD), shot in Blackwood and Lorne, Victoria – purchased by High Octane Films (Arizona) and released world-wide in 2020. 

Darren is screenwriter for the supernatural horror/romance MAGPIE. Footage for this project has been shot in Trentham, Victoria and taken to Cannes Film Festival (Marche Du Film) with a view to attracting international interest.

Darren's screenplay for AT FIRST LIGHT (aka ONLY BLOOD) was optioned by Moonflower Picture, New South Wales in 2025 - with shooting slated for late 2026, with Blake Fraser (PATRICIA MOORE) to direct.

In early 2026 Darren completed his latest screenplay, THE ROWAN TREE, a character led supernatural horror set between the Yorkshire Moors and the Scottish Highlands. 

Darren holds high hopes for  his slate, and is passionate about each project's prospects, and finding partners to bring them to the screen.

Darren was also a founding member of The Melbourne Arts Ensemble (1994 - 2000), and creator/festival director of Lorne Film (2013 - 19) a film entity responsible for screening over 200 films while stimulating film commerce and culture in the stunning coastal town of Lorne, Victoria.

Darren recently realised his lifelong dream of moving to the country and now resides in beautiful Trentham, situated in the Victorian Goldfields, where he continues to write films, garden, look at birds, follow the mighty Cats (Geelong Football Club), cook, and not take life too seriously...