8 May 2009

BOARD FUNDING APPROVALS

At the Screen Australia Board meeting on 5 May, $17 million was committed to two features, a children’s television series, plus two documentaries financed under the National Documentary Program in conjunction with the ABC. Read the media release, which includes all project details.

FOUR AUSTRALIAN FILMS SCREENING AT CANNES

We were thrilled to announce recently that four Australian films (three features and one short) have been selected to screen at the Cannes Film Festival, which commences next week. Our warm congratulations go to all the filmmakers.

Bright Star (w/d: Jane Campion; p: Jan Chapman, Caroline Hewitt) has been selected to screen in Competition. Samson & Delilah (w/d: Warwick Thornton; p: Kath Shelper) will screen in Un Certain Regard. The short documentary Cicada (w/d/p: Amiel Courtin-Wilson; p: Sally Hussey; w: Daniel P Jones) is screening in Directors’ Fortnight. And the restored 1971 classic Wake in Fright (d: Ted Kotcheff; p: George Willoughby; w: Evan Jones) will screen as part of Cannes Classics – the festival’s sidebar event that celebrates rediscovered gems. Read the media releases from 24 April and 29 April for all the details.

MARKET ATTACHMENT REQUIREMENTS TO BE REVISED FOR FEATURE FILMS

In recognition of the current economic climate and to support producers in maximising financial interest in their films, Screen Australia proposes to adjust the Production Financing Guidelines for feature films as they relate to eligibility for assessment.

Where previously, in order to be eligible for assessment, projects required both a bona fide domestic distributor and a recognised ROW sales agent, Screen Australia will now apply the following market attachment requirements:

EITHER

1. A signed deal memo with an international sales agent or domestic distributor;

OR

2. Letters of interest from both an international sales agent and domestic distributor.

In either case, the international sales agent and domestic distributor must be recognised and appropriate. As a result of the assessment process, Screen Australia may issue a conditional letter of interest in a project, where the script is particularly strong, in order to encourage market and investment interest.

The relevant guidelines and application form will shortly be revised to reflect this adjustment.

APPLY NOW FOR LOW-BUDGET FEATURE INVESTMENTS

Producers of low-budget feature films (Non-Producer Offset projects with an estimated QAPE under $1 million) need to apply by 12 June 2009 for production finance or post-production completion funding. Applications for non-Offset projects don’t require an Australian distributor or an international sales agent to be attached. However, the project’s marketing strategy and potential to reach its target audience will be an important consideration in the assessment process. Further information including guidelines, application forms and details of the assessment process can be found on our website’s Feature Film Production page.

DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS ANNOUNCED

Susan Boehm, Mike Cowap and Veronica Gleeson have been appointed as Screen Australia's Development Managers. They will be responsible for feature film project development as well the agency’s Talent Escalator, Innovation, short film and short animation programs. Mike and Veronica are on board already, and Susan starts in early June. They will be joined by a fourth Development Manager at a later date. Veronica and Susan will be based in our Sydney office, with Mike working out of the Melbourne office. Read their bios in the full media release.

CONGRATULATIONS LOGIE WINNERS

Screen Australia congratulates the winners of TV Week Logie Awards this year, including the programs we financed: Underbelly, First Australians, and H2O: Just Add Water,which won Most Outstanding Drama Series, Most Outstanding Documentary and Most Outstanding Children’s Program respectively.

PROGRAM DEADLINES

Development
Enterprise Program – Expressions of Interest: 29 May

Production

• Low-budget Features: 12 June
• Domestic & International Documentary Program: 12 June
• Adult Television Drama Production: 12 June
• Children’s Television: 12 June

Please note: many Screen Australia funding programs do not have deadlines and are not assessed in rounds. Please check the website for application details for specific programs.

CURRENT POSITIONS VACANT

Please see the jobs page of the website.

 

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