indigenous programs
special initiatives

Long Black Feature Program

January – June 2009

Please note applications are now closed for this intiative.

The LONG BLACK Feature Program is a strategic initiative aimed at encouraging and supporting Indigenous filmmakers to work in the longer format, and to bring to the screen feature stories authored and crafted by Indigenous people.

We are seeking to invest in the development of outstanding feature-length drama projects which are based on strong ideas, are well crafted, of varying styles and content, exhibit a high level of creative ambition and can demonstrate the possibility of being financed for production.

Selection will be made on the basis of a well-developed treatment OR draft script (if already written), with consideration given to the intrinsic merit of the story and the strength of the creative team.

Funding is for

Up to five projects will be selected for development. Successful projects will receive up to $25,000 for this stage; this includes fees for the writer, producer and script editor, as well as any research costs.

Scripts must be delivered by 30 June 2009.

Following the delivery of this development stage, applicants will be required to write detailed development notes on the direction of the next draft of their screenplay. At this stage a further selection process will be undertaken to select projects to be funded to attend a residential writers’ lab. The lab will be held in September–October 2009. The lab will focus on script development and will be tailored to suit the needs of the projects and practitioners.

Each project should have a running time of no less than 90 minutes.

Eligibility

All applicants and projects must meet the general Indigenous Branch eligibility criteria (see Screen Australia’s Program Guidelines – Indigenous Programs January 2009), in addition to the following specific eligibility requirements:

• Each project must have Indigenous Australians in key creative roles (minimum of writer and director).
  
  
• Individuals (a writer or writer/director) or teams (producer, director and writer; or producerand writer or writer/director) may apply.
  
  
• The writer or writer/director must have at least one produced short film, feature film or appropriate television drama credit.
  
  
• An applicant cannot be a student at a film school or similar tertiary film, television or interactive digital media course. Applications from part-time students will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  
  
• Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia, and be 18 years of age or older.
  
  
• Applications will be accepted from any Australian state or territory.

Deadline

5pm, Friday 6 March 2009

Assessment criteria

When assessing applications for this program, Screen Australia uses the following criteria:

• The strength and distinctiveness of the idea and story.
  
  
• The quality of the script and the writer’s command of cinematic storytelling and screenplay craft as evidenced by the script and/or previous work.
  
  
• The quality and rigour of the development notes, and whether they articulate the issues to be faced in the next stage of development, as well as outlining the strategies that should resolve these issues and advance the project.
  
  
• The skills and experience of the writer and, where appropriate, the team including script editors, producer(s) and director, and the likelihood that their experience/ support will advance the project.
  
  
• The potential of the film to reach its target audience.
  
  
• The viability of the project with regard to the proposed total production budget amount, financing strategy, creative team and target audience.

Assessment process

Applications will be assessed by a combination of Screen Australia executives and industry specialists/peers as required. Screen Australia will advise applicants of the success or otherwise of their application, providing a brief statement of reasons.

Application materials

Applications must be made on the Long Black Feature Program Application Form 2009, and include all supporting material listed on that form.

Applications and enquiries can be forwarded to:

Administrator, Indigenous Branch
Screen Australia
GPO Box 3984
Sydney NSW 2001

or delivered to:

Level 4, 150 William St
Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
Ph: +61 2 8113 5800
Toll Free (available nationally)
1800 213 099

Email: indigenous@screenaustralia.gov.au