Feature Development

Screen Australia’s feature development funding program is open to projects of all genres, and to animation as well as live-action. Screen Australia is looking for striking and engaging storytelling that will connect with audiences. 

Screen Australia generally requires the commitment of an experienced producer as part of the team, and that the application should come from the producer. This is in recognition of the producer’s key role in providing creative guidance, financing and the overall strategy for the project. Writers, writer/directors and writer–director teams may apply for funding without a producer if they meet the eligibility criteria outlined below.

Less experienced producers must also have an experienced producer or executive producer committed to the project. In such cases the application may still be made by the less experienced producer and the rights may remain with them, or with them in conjunction with other key creatives.

Where an international executive producer is attached in order to satisfy eligibility requirements, strong consideration will be given to the nature of their involvement and their creative intentions.

Less experienced producers who do not wish to work with proven producing partners may access Screen Australia development support through its Talent Escalator programs.
Screen Australia invests in the development of projects which will enable a consistent flow into the marketplace of high-quality, diverse, audience-engaging screenplays. Applications will be evaluated on creative merit, the team, and the potential for the project to reach an audience appropriate to its cost. The screenwriting craft and development plan are looked at closely.

Available funding

Applications can be for any amount up to $50,000 per tranche, and may be made at any time.

In some circumstances Screen Australia may accept and pre-approve an application for multiple (up to three) tranches from producers with a proven, significant track record. Such an applicant will need to have had two films in Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance or Toronto OR have produced two films that were an outstanding commercial success OR one film that has received an Academy Award. In such a case the applicant will not need to re-apply from tranche to tranche; however, a positive assessment of progress is required before the subsequent tranche of funding is triggered. 

Matched funding: Projects that come with an offer of cash development funding from a genuine arm’s length marketplace entity will receive matched funding up to $50,000, subject to a risk assessment by Screen Australia. (For the purposes of these guidelines, a marketplace entity is defined as an entity whose core business is the financing, sales, distribution, exhibition or broadcast of feature films.)

Funding is for

A first or subsequent draft feature screenplay, including, where appropriate:

• fees for writer, producer, director, development executive/script editor, digital media consultant, legal and/or department head,
  
  
• marketing strategy and pitch materials,
  
  
• plans for adjacent or multiplatform delivery,
  
  
• where applicable, casting, pre-visualisation work, financing or pitching costs, travel, production budgeting and scheduling expenses (however, the stage of project development will be looked at closely in such cases as these funds are not intended to provide gap financing in pre-production nor to fund explorative travel),
  
  
• cost of producing a short scene or other materials that enhance the likelihood of production.
  
  
• fee for first option or renewing of option but we do not fund retrospective option fees.
  

'Time critical' funding may also be available in circumstances where there is a limited window of opportunity to secure an option of an underlying work. In such circumstances, Screen Australia may be willing to match the contribution of the applicant to the option fee, if it is satisfied as to the cinematic potential of the work. Applicants for such 'time critical' funding must be experienced producers, proven writers/directors or proven directors in conjunction with a writer (see below). Applicants for such funding will need to satisfy Screen Australia that the proposed terms of the option are consistent with current market practice.

From time to time we may invite applicants to attach a script consultant or mentor to a project.  In such a case Screen Australia may cover the cost of the consultant or mentor.

Eligibility

Recipients of Enterprise Program funding need to refer to the Enterprise Program guidelines regarding their eligibility for this program.

Applications must be from a producer on behalf of a team involving at least a writer or writer/director.

The producer must be considered an ‘experienced’ producer, or must have an experienced producer or ‘experienced executive producer’ working with them (see definitions below). This is in recognition of the increased complexity of international film financing, and the need for market knowledge and financing skills on the producing team.

There are no special eligibility requirements for writers or writer/directors applying with an eligible producer.

However, in recognition of their level of experience and/or success, the following may apply for one tranche of development funding without a producer or executive producer attached:

• ‘proven’ writers and writer/directors,
  
  
• ‘proven’ directors in conjunction with a writer.
  

Their application must detail at what stage they plan to attach a producer, and subsequent applications must be made with an eligible producer on board.

Definitions

• An ‘experienced producer’ is defined as having at least one credit as producer on:
  
  - a feature film or theatrical feature documentary that has been released on a minimum of five commercial screens in one territory, OR
  
  - a primetime broadcast drama miniseries or telemovie.

• An ‘experienced executive producer’ is defined as having at least two credits as producer or executive producer on:
  
  - feature films or theatrical feature documentaries that have been released on a minimum of five commercial screens in one territory, OR
  
  - primetime broadcast miniseries or telemovies.

• A 'proven' writer, director or writer/director is defined as having:
  
  - one credit in these roles on a feature that has been selected for Cannes, Venice, Berlin, Sundance or Toronto or has received an Academy Award nomination, or has been a significant commercial success, OR
  
  - at least two credits in these roles on features released on a minimum of five commercial screens in one territory, or primetime broadcast miniseries or telemovies, OR
  
  - credits in these roles for at least six broadcast hours of primetime series (not serials).
  
  For writers, television credits should be 'written by'.

Screen Australia expects the option or rights to be held by the applicant, be they a producer, writer, writer/director or director, or by them in conjunction with other key creatives. 
Where the applicant is a less experienced producer who has attached an experienced producer or EP, the option or rights may remain with the less experienced producer, or with them in conjunction with other key creatives.

Any commitment from Screen Australia will be subject to us sighting all rights agreements and being satisfied that they comply with industry standards.  Applicants must establish clear chain of title to all works in development as a pre-condition of development funding. Screen Australia advises producers to have an option to acquire where possible sequel, prequel, remake, TV spin-off rights and all ancillary rights as these rights will be required at financing stage.

Any offer by Screen Australia to provide matched 'time critical' funding for the purposes of securing an option to an underlying work will be made on a non-exclusive basis, meaning that Screen Australia reserves the right to make an offer to one or more other eligible applicants who approach Screen Australia for matched funding of an option of the same work. In such circumstances, the applicant who is ultimately successful in securing the option will receive Screen Australia funding on the terms offered, subject to satisfying all relevant requirements. If a project is based on an underlying work evidence of the option agreement and length of the option period must be supplied.

Further funding: Projects funded under this program may reapply for further development investment once they have fulfilled their delivery requirements. Further development investment will be considered in light of the advancement of the project, the development notes, momentum, marketplace attachment, producer’s strategy, and the overall viability of the project. Applicants will be required to supply script development notes clearly articulating the progress.

Projects that are unsuccessful in applying for this program may only reapply if the project and application are substantially reworked.  Projects that have two consecutive unsuccessful applications may no longer apply for this scheme.

As of 1 July 2010, no more than six applications for different projects from the same person will be assessed in any given financial year.

Theatrical or feature-length documentary projects are not eligible under this scheme (see Documentary Development).

Applicants must also meet the general eligibility requirements set out in Screen Australia's Terms of Trade.

Assessment process

Applications (other than 'time critical' applications) will be assessed by a combination of Screen Australia executives and industry specialists/peers as required (a minimum of two readers at all times).

Time critical applications may be assessed solely by Screen Australia executives, depending on the time constraints.

Screen Australia will advise applicants of the success or otherwise of their application. Where an application is unsuccessful, the reasons will be conveyed to the applicant, with a written statement of reasons provided on request.

Assessment criteria

When assessing applications for this program, Screen Australia will take the following criteria into account:

• The strength and distinctiveness of the story
  
  
• The quality of the writing and cinematic storytelling
  
  
• The potential of the proposed project to reach its target audience
  
  
• The development notes, and the degree to which they articulate the issues to be faced in the next stage of development and outline the strategies to address them
  
  
• A successful track record of the producer, writer, and, where appropriate, the director and development executive or script editor; and the likelihood that their experience will advance the project;
  
  
• The viability of the project in terms of the development plan provided, estimated production budget and financing strategy.
  
  
• The strategic importance of the proposed expenditure to the quality and viability of the project.

Application materials

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

If you wish to apply for subsequent draft funding you will need to submit a new application and must include information clearly reflecting the advancement of the project.

Terms of  funding

Where Screen Australia provides development funds and subsequently invests in the production, its investment in the development phase will be added to the production financing amount and the total investment will be recouped in accordance with the terms of trade for production financing.

Funding recipients must deliver

The negotiated delivery materials for which the funding was provided.

Applicants should be ready to commence work on the project should their application be successful and be able to deliver a draft within three months.