Changes to New Zealand's COVID-related border restrictions have meant former Canberra conductor Leonard Weiss is now in the role of New Zealand's Assistant Conductor-in-Residence after a two-month delay. The position is funded by Creative New Zealand and managed by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) collaborating with other orchestras. In addition to his own ongoing coaching and development, Weiss will engage with young aspiring conductors, composers and ensembles. Weiss studied at Canberra Grammar School and the ANU School of Music. He was music director of the National Capital Orchestra and conductor of the Canberra Youth Orchestra, among other positions.

Epic Games is partnering with Screen Canberra and other film bodies for the 2022 Short Film Challenge. Applicants will create a pitch for an animated short film, with the best candidates being shortlisted and the strongest projects presented to industry partners for final selection. Up to 10 projects are set to receive $50,000 to produce a short film within eight weeks using Unreal Engine 5. As part of this initiative, Epic Games is offering three weeks of free Unreal Engine online training. See screencanberra.com.au

PhotoAccess is showing three new Huw Davies Gallery exhibitions by Canberra artists. In Between Hope and Despair Natasha Fijn explores the possibilities of intergenerational communication in the aftermath of crisis. Eating Wild Weeds by Alex Flannery is a collaboration between the artist and Chinese born Australian poet Ouyang Yu that considers the complexities of cross-cultural understanding. Archive Apparitions by Elisa deCourcy emerges from extensive research into the character and significance of 19th-century photographic portraits. The series of contemporary daguerreotypes draws attention to the changing resonances of forms of visual culture. The exhibitions will be open until May 21. See photoaccess.org.au

Australian drag queen Karen from Finance presents her award-winning debut one woman show at the Playhouse, Canberra Theatre Centre on Friday, April 22 at 8pm. See canberratheatrecentre.com.au

Free-Rain presents Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: the Musical at the Q from April 26. Based on the hit movie, the show is about two drag queens and a transgender woman who drive the title bus to Alice Springs for a performance - but find much more along the way. See theq.net.au