Screen Australia

Screen Australia aims to inspire, inform and engage screen audiences through compelling Australian storytelling.

First Nations Factual Co-production Development Fund

Screen Australia’s First Nations Department, in partnership with Screen Canberra, Screen NSW, Screen Queensland, Screen Tasmania, Screen Territory, Screenwest, South Australian Film Corporation and VicScreen, (the Agencies) are calling on First Nations production companies to submit factual projects with international co-production possibilities for consideration into the newly created First Nations Factual Co-production Development fund.

First Nations people across the globe share experiences and cultural values that resonate across time and place, and factual content offers a rich frame to explore these similar but diverse perspectives on First Nations shared perspectives. This fund aims to capture this potential by stimulating well-crafted, bespoke stories that capitalise on treaty arrangements in a tightening fiscal environment.

More information about Australia’s Official Co-production Program can be found here and details about the countries that Australia currently has a Treaty or MOU with can be found here.

Important note: The text on this webpage provides a snapshot of the relevant information for this program/initiative. Applicants must read all detailed documentation available for download at the bottom of this page, including the program guidelines, before applying.

Key Dates
Deadline

5pm AEST Thursday 4 June 2026

Decision & Notification

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by 30 June 2026

Fund Amount
Up to $30,000
Category
First Nations
Funding Type
Special Initiatives
Enquiries
Email: FirstNations@screenaustralia.gov.auFreecall: 1800 507 901
More Information

Please read guidelines and supporting documents carefully prior to your enquiry

Apply now

Up to five First Nations companies will be supported at $30,000 each, comprised of funding from the Agencies.

 

Funding will be comprised of:

 

  • $20,000 from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department (in the form of a development grant agreement for the preparation of treatments, series outlines and pitch decks for a minimum of two factual projects);
  • $10,000 from the relevant State Agency (in the form of a travel grant to cover travel costs to the Toronto International Film Festival 2026 to pitch the developed projects at the market and identify international co-production partners. Please note that this is a funding cap on travel costs of $10,000 per application, regardless of how many delegates plan to travel).

 

Applicants are encouraged to view and/or attend 3 x online webinars facilitated by Screen Australia on the subject of international co-productions and other matters. These webinars are*:

 

 

*(please note dates & times are subject to change at Screen Australia’s discretion).

 

Attendance at these webinars is not mandatory and will not form part of your application and subsequent assessment, however it is highly recommended applicants attend.

 

Applicants and projects must meet the Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade, any general eligibility or other requirements listed on the agency’s website (see Information for Applicants and Information for Recipients), as well as the specific eligibility criteria set out in these guidelines.

 

This program is only open to First Nations owned and operated production companies who will apply with concepts developed and to be led by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander practitioners.

 

To be eligible, an applicant company must:

 

  • be an incorporated company carrying on business in Australia, with its central management and control in Australia;
  • be at least 51% owned by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons;
  • have at least have an Australian Business Number (ABN); and
  • be registered for the purposes of GST if required by law

 

For full eligibility information, including eligibility criteria for proposed delegate/s, criteria for eligible credits and ineligible application information, please refer to the attached guideline documents.

Through the application form, you must:

 

  • provide all the information requested and answer the application questions;
  • address all eligibility criteria and assessment criteria; and
  • include all required supporting materials.

 

Applicants must upload the following materials with their application form:

 

  • CV, including credits applicable to the required credit criteria and details of any commercial, significant viewership and/or major festival or awards success.
  • Two short-written treatment of the story ideas; no more than 1 typed page per idea.
  • Proposal, including any intended professional development objectives or other goals for the trip (max 2 pages).

 

For full details on the application process, please refer to the attached guidelines.

Screen Australia will take the following equally weighted criteria into account when considering applications for the program:

 

  • Proposal: The strength of the strategy outlined in the proposal.
  • Co-production proposal: The stage of development, suitability and strength of the co-production(s) being put forward for this event (and the creative talent attached to them).
  • Experience: The experience and knowledge of the applicant/team in the factual space.
  • Concept: Strength and distinctiveness of idea.

 

Priority will be given to applicants that:

 

  • have executed long form scripted or documentary series and/or features of reasonable budget;
  • can demonstrate ability to leverage significant recent success for their completed work; and/or
  • have upcoming slates with multiple projects at various stages of development and some with evidence of momentum towards production.

Downloads

First Nations Factual Co-production Development Funding Guidelines

Download Document