Market Escalator

Revised Funding Programs and accompanying Guidelines for the 2010/2011 financial year are currently being finalised and will be announced in late July. The following information is for the 2009/2010 Funding Programs and should be used as a guide only.

Market Escalator provides finance for workshops, master classes, seminars, conferences or special events to increase marketing, distribution and exhibition knowledge and skills. These events will connect filmmakers with important local and international marketplace contacts, resources, trends and technologies.

Market Escalator events cater for both:

• less experienced practitioners, recognising their need to build skills, knowledge and contacts; and
  
  
• experienced professionals, recognising that, in a rapidly changing local and international industry, there is a need to continually upgrade skills and contacts.

Beyond our own activities, we welcome innovative proposals from external organisations and individuals who wish to develop and stage events with our funding support.

Proposals will need to include information on objectives, targeted participants and
the intended outcomes for them, how participants will be selected, and proposed mentors, advisors and/or speakers, as detailed in the Market Escalator application form.

Successful applicants would create and release their own guidelines for the event where relevant.

Screen Australia will work to ensure that events are best placed through the year to maximise their effectiveness.

Eligibility

All applicants and projects must meet the general eligibility criteria for Screen Australia funding in the Terms of Trade. The following specific eligibility requirements also apply (we may make exceptions to these at our discretion):

• The event must take place within Australia.
  
  
• Screen Australia will not provide funds retrospectively.

Available funding

Applications can be for any amount but must be supported by a budget.

Assessment process

Applications will be assessed by a minimum of two people with at least one being a staff member of Screen Australia. Industry specialists/peers may be used.

We will advise applicants of the success or otherwise of their application, providing a brief statement of reasons.

Assessment criteria

When assessing applications for this program, we will take the following into account:

• Demonstrated national relevance of the proposed event and evidence that it does not duplicate existing activities.
  
  
• Whether the event is well planned and achievable within the budget provided. Consideration will be given to financial and corporate governance, and evidence of strategic partnerships that maximise sponsorship or other support from private and/or other government sources (both cash and in-kind support).
  
  
• Whether the event provides a good opportunity for increasing industry skills and knowledge as well as connecting Australian practitioners with high level international marketplace contacts, resources, trends and technologies.
  
  
• Whether thorough consideration has been given to marketing, promotion and target audience.
  
  
• The capability, experience and relevant track record of the applicants and their proposed team (including, where relevant, previous project acquittals).

Terms of funding

Funding through this program is for one year only. Receipt of funding should not lead to any expectation of continued assistance from Screen Australia.

Funding is in the form of a grant and is not recouped by Screen Australia. Recipients will, however, be required to provide reports as set out in their funding agreement.