marketing funds
International Festival and Marketplace Travel

This program acknowledges the importance of global strategies for new titles, in particular the international premiere and related sales and marketing activities at major events.

In addition, Screen Australia acknowledges that through planned attendance at selected international markets, festivals and events, Australian screen practitioners can enhance their marketing strategies, develop international relationships and familiarise themselves with global trends in audience behaviour, emerging technologies and business practices.

Eligible events have been selected to ensure that Screen Australia’s travel support is as strategic as possible and the best use is made of available funds.

Note that invitation into a festival or competition does not guarantee support. Approval is subject to the availability of funds, the competitive strength of the application and the relevance of each person’s attendance at the specific event.

It is expected that applicants will also talk with state screen agencies in considering their travel needs. Screen Australia will take into account any travel funds provided by state agencies and the actual costs of travel from the applicant’s current place of residence.

Any hospitality offered by the event must be disclosed and any travel funding from state agencies must be listed.

Browse the guidelines below,
or download as a PDF at right


General eligibility

All applicants and projects must meet the general criteria in our Terms of Trade. In addition:

  • Proof of selection/invitation must be provided for all applications with the exception of travel to international markets.
  • Screen Australia will not provide funds retrospectively.
  • Applicants who are current Screen Australia Enterprise Program recipients or being mentored by a Screen Australia Enterprise Program recipient are not eligible to apply.
  • Applicants may receive only one travel grant (other than to attend a Significant International Award as per guidelines on page 13) within a 12-month period.
  • Travel grants are for Australian residents. Australian citizens living overseas are not eligible.

International film festivals and interactive events

Eligible applicants

  • Directors and/or producers whose project has been selected for one of the events listed below are eligible.
  • In exceptional circumstances, applications for travel will be considered for lead actors of films selected in competition – or for a gala or special presentation – at Berlin, Cannes, Sundance, Toronto or Venice in a key programming section where there is significant evidence that the actor’s attendance is required to assist with film publicity. The producer/sales agent should provide a letter of support outlining the benefit of the lead actor’s attendance at the festival, including a publicity strategy to be run by a qualified international publicist. Other festivals or screenings may be considered in exceptional circumstances, where funds are available. Specific materials relevant to the application may be requested from applicants when they seek these funds.
  • For film festivals, the screening must be the film’s international premiere outside its home territory.

Eligible events*

Available funding (maximum of one grant per project or company)

  • Selection into Cannes – $6,000
  • Sundance, Toronto, Berlin, Venice – $5,000
  • All other eligible festivals – $3,000

International pitching forums/competitions and co-production workshops

Eligible applicants

  • Producers or producer/director teams whose projects have been invited to take part in one of the key international pitching forums/competitions or workshops listed below are eligible.

Eligible events*

Available funding (maximum of one grant per project or company)

  • Europe – $5,000 for producer, $8,000 for director/producer teams when both have been invited
  • Other eligible events – $3,000 for producer, $5,000 for director/producer teams when both have been invited

Significant international awards

Eligible applicants

  • Producers, writers or directors who have been nominated for an award listed below are eligible.

Eligible events*

  • Academy Award®
  • British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards
  • Emmy Awards®

Available funding

  • $5,000 maximum per project/company on a case-by-case basis

International markets

Eligible applicants

  • Funds are available for producers with a range of experience. However, applicants must have a reasonable body of completed, produced and released work, commensurate with their level of experience, to showcase their talent and ability.
  • For transmedia events, applicants must have at least two non-student credits in their relevant field, AND must be able to identify specific professional development opportunities.
  • Applicants must have at least two active projects in development. In the case of more experienced producers, a slate of projects is preferable, at least one of which has secured 25 per cent of its budget.
  • This fund is not for completed projects selling at the market and does not support general market attendance. However, in exceptional cases and pending available funds, completed projects with marketplace attachments or a local distributor that are seeking international sales may be considered.

Eligible events*

Available funding: (maximum of one grant per project or company)

  • Cannes Film Market – $6,000
  • All other eligible markets – $5,000

Competitive rounds may also be offered for special events such as the following, with deadlines announced through the Screen Australia website, e-news and social media: 


Funding decisions

Applications will be considered by a Screen Australia staff member and/or an industry specialist.

Funding decisions will be made against the following criteria:

  • The strength of argument put forward and the relevance of attendance for each person included in the proposal. This should include expected outcomes and how they may be achieved. Preference will be given to applicants who have not received travel grants in recent years.
  • The strength of the applicant/team’s CV, including relevant and recent credits and industry experience and their experience pertinent to the market, festival or event. Where appropriate, Screen Australia will also consider the benefits to the applicant’s career and the professional development opportunities from attendance at the event.
  • The event itself and its standing within the international arena. Where applicable, the status of the section/forum into which a project or person has been invited will be taken into consideration. Preference will be given to projects selected to screen in key programming sections of the event.
  • For attendance at markets, Screen Australia will assess the suitability/viability of the producer’s project slate, their marketing and financing strategy and their proposed meetings.

Note: Applications from less experienced practitioners will be enhanced if they are able to secure a market mentorship with an established producer; however, this is not a requirement.

Screen Australia will advise applicants in writing of the success or otherwise of their application. Where an application is declined, the applicant will be advised of the reason.

Terms of funding

Funds for International Festival and Marketplace Travel are provided as a grant. Recipients are required to provide a written report detailing the outcomes of the funding.

 

*ELIGIBLE EVENTS

Eligible events have been selected to ensure that Screen Australia’s travel support is as strategic as possible and the best use is made of available funds.

A new event or an event not included on our list may become eligible if it has grown in significance and may offer unique professional development opportunities, as well as be exclusive in its selection process, warranting the attendance of a practitioner whose program is selected to screen there. However, the practitioner must be experienced and capable of delivering adequate market intelligence, enabling evaluation of the event for future travel grant consideration.

 

[Page updated 20 February 2013]

 

contact

Email marketing
Phone 1800 507 901

Application Timing

For international film festivals, interactive events, international pitching forums/competitions, co-production workshops and significant international awards:
  • apply as soon as you receive the invitation, preferably allowing at least three weeks for processing. Applications cannot be made retrospectively.

For international markets:
  • applications are by competitive funding rounds which open 3-4 months before the market. Rounds are announced on our website, via social media and in our e-news.

Downloads

Marketing Guidelines (PDF)

Application forms:


Terms of Trade

See Also

Australia at the Market to view the range of print and online resources and services that weAustralia at the market provide to help filmmakers promote their projects at major international markets.