indigenous programs
Drama production and post-production

Funding is for

• Short drama films (under 25 minutes)
• Production and/or post-production
• Animation projects
• Feature films.

NB: This program is designed to complete the film, not to fund a stage of production.

Eligibility

All applicants and projects must meet the general Indigenous Department eligibility criteria, in addition to the following specific eligibility requirements:

• Only teams may apply.
• The producer and director must each have at least one produced short drama credit (minimum length 10 minutes, may include films made at film schools), in their respective roles that has been broadcast or screened at a recognised film festival.
• Filmmakers may apply for post-production funding for films that have been shot on film or tape and that intend to finish on the format on which they were shot. Funding is limited in this area and other Screen Australia funding may be used to augment existing funding from broadcasters and state agencies.

Assessment criteria

Screen Australia will take the following considerations into account when assessing drama projects for production financing:

• The creative team responsible for the project (producer, director, writer), according to (i) their track record – past successes, relevant experience and achievements (ii) their demonstrated creative, technical and managerial capacity to deliver the project.
• The script, according to (i) the strength and distinctiveness of the idea, (ii) the quality of the writing, and (iii) the script’s readiness to proceed into production.
• Creative potential, according to (i) the creative team’s vision for the film, and (ii) the proposed cast and heads of department.
• Audience potential – a project’s potential to reach its intended audience – according to (i) whether or not there is a clearly identified target audience for the film, (ii) the distribution strategy for Australia, (iii) the international distribution strategy, and (iv) the cross-platform strategy.
• Project viability – budget and financing strategy – according to (i) the viability of the proposed budget in relation to achieving the creative team’s stated goals and vision for the project, (ii) the viability of the proposed financing structure and production schedule.
  

For features the Indigenous Department will also take into consideration the following criterion in addition to the above.

• Commercial potential, according to (i) the financing and distribution arrangements in Australia and internationally, (ii) the budget in relation to projected returns, and (iii) Screen Australia’s recoupment position.

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 written statement of reasons on request.

Application materials

Applications must be made on the relevant Screen Australia application form, and include all supporting material listed on that form.

Budget allowances for marketing and cross-platform elements

Screen Australia recognises the need for marketing and multi-platform digital program elements, and for these cross-platform elements to be incorporated into a production budget from the outset. To this end Screen Australia will earmark an amount in each production budget of the Agency financing for marketing and cross-platform elements.

Terms of trade

Details of Screen Australia and NFSA delivery items, recoupment and other requirements are available in Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade.