Announcing the 2026 Patricia Kailis International Writing Fellow: Nabilah Said

June 30, 2026

Nabilah Said is an award-winning writer whose work explores identity, migration, belonging and the intersections between personal and collective histories. Her plays have been presented across Singapore, London, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan and South Korea, and include ANGKAT: A Definitive, Alternative, Reclaimed Narrative of a Native, which won Best Original Script at the 2020 Singapore Life Theatre Awards, and Inside Voices, which won Outstanding New Work at London’s VAULT Festival and was subsequently published by Nick Hern Books.

From 2022 to 2023, Nabilah was commissioned by Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre to undertake research, supported by the Australian Office for the Arts, for a new play exploring the shared histories of Singapore and Christmas Island. During her residency in Boorloo/Perth, she will continue developing this work, Territori, which examines Malay diasporic identity, migration, memory and belonging through the interconnected histories of Singapore, Christmas Island and Australia.

Reflecting on her work, Nabilah shared:

“The shared histories of Singapore and Australia are so rich and are just a starting point for me to interrogate more questions about contemporary living and the future for people of Malay and Asian heritage and descent. I’m looking forward to having more conversations around this.”

She added:

“This all started because of my parents’ ties to Christmas Island, and is a personal story of grief. I’ve been thinking about Christmas Island for years and have built my own relationships to the Island and its community. I am interested to continue my exploration and uncover stories that emerge from the relationships between Singapore, Australia and the wider region.”

During her residency, Nabilah will spend time at Centre for Stories, travel to Western Australia’s Kimberley region, engage with local communities and emerging writers, and continue developing her creative practice. As part of the Fellowship, she will also appear in a special In Conversation event hosted by Centre for Stories on Thursday 30 July 2026, presenting a reading of her play, Territori, and offering audiences an opportunity to hear more about her work, research and creative practice.

Upon learning she had been selected as the 2026 Fellow, Nabilah shared:

“When I knew about this Fellowship, I thought it was really fitting as I’ve been working on my play Territori and have only presented it in Singapore. I’m keen to share it with former Christmas Islanders, Malays, and the arts community in Boorloo/Perth and see what they think. The opportunity to visit Broome is also exciting as I expand my knowledge about the diverse cultures and histories of Australia.”

The Patricia Kailis International Writing Fellowship supports outstanding writers living outside Australia whose work demonstrates a commitment to fostering belonging and cross-cultural understanding. The Fellowship was established through the generosity of Dr George Kailis in honour of his mother, Dr Patricia Kailis, a respected doctor, researcher, businesswoman, philanthropist and advocate for the arts.

Centre for Stories CEO and Creative Director Robert Wood said the Fellowship continues to bring internationally recognised writers to Western Australia while building meaningful connections between communities:

“We are so grateful that Nabilah will visit us in 2026. With George Kailis’ ongoing support we are able to share a meaningful artistic exchange that elevates local practice and helps us understand our place in the world. Thanks to local practitioners and our community here, we know that this Fellowship will be a welcome moment in the calendar this year.”

Nabilah is the fourth recipient of the Patricia Kailis International Writing Fellowship. Previous recipients include Indonesian writer Norman Erikson Pasaribu (2022), South African poet Sihle Ntuli (2024), and Indian writer Lathika George (2025).

Nabilah’s appointment continues the Fellowship’s growing connection to the Indian Ocean region and its diverse literary cultures. Together, the Fellowship recipients reflect a commitment to fostering dialogue, understanding and creative exchange across borders, cultures and communities connected by the Indian Ocean.