Screen Australia

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

First Nations TV Drama Production

Limited funds are available through this program to invest in outstanding drama television projects which are based on strong and original ideas, and can demonstrate the potential to reach an audience.

Production investment is intended primarily to assist in the professional development of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander key creatives, as well as to provide opportunities for First Nations Australian screen content makers who have demonstrated extraordinary talent to extend their vision and their skills.

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
Always open
Decision & Notification

Turnaround time for decisions is approximately eight weeks from receipt of eligible application.

Fund Amount
See Guidelines for details
Category
First Nations
Funding Type
Production
Enquiries
Email: FirstNations@screenaustralia.gov.auFreecall: 1800 507 901
More Information

Applications are by invitation only

Apply now

Limited funding is available through this program.

 

There are no limits on the proportion of the budget Screen Australia can contribute under this program. However, other sources of finance are encouraged, and the assessment process will take into account the level of Screen Australia funding requested as a proportion of overall budget.

 

Contributions might come from marketplace entities (eg Commissioning Platforms), as well as from state agencies, other government organisations, cultural institutions, international sources, private investors or other partners.

Applicants and their projects must meet the general eligibility requirements set out in Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade in addition to the following:

 

  • Projects
    • must be a Drama of any broadcast format to be eligible for this program, including telemovies, telemovie packages, series (no distinction is drawn between series and mini- series) and online drama projects.
    • must not be more than 26 broadcast hours of any one project, which may include multiple series.
    • must be intended for distribution via a Commissioning Platform with the required presale confirmed (noting that minimum licence fees apply). See below.
    • have been developed by Australian production companies/producers and creatives, not sub-contracted from a Commissioning Platform;
    • if applicable, must be independent of the nominated local Commissioning Platform for the first release of a program in Australia. In addition, Screen Australia expects key creatives (producer, writer, director, cinematographer, editor) to be sourced from the freelance market and not from the staff of the Commissioning Platform;
    • Other than in exceptional circumstances, preference will be given to projects that, at the time of application, are no further than six months from the start of pre-production.
  • Applicants
    • The writer, director and any co-directors must be Australian Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander practitioner.
    • The application must come from a producer, on behalf of team including a First Nations Australian writer, director, and any co-directors, or a First Nations Australian writer/director
    • The writer and director must be First Nations Australian and must have at least three ‘eligible drama credits’ in their respective roles.
    • In the case of co-writing teams, made up of Indigenous and non- Indigenous writers, the original concept must come from the First Nations writer. This must be shown in the application.
    • The producer (where attached) must be either:
      • an ‘experienced producer’, or
      • a producer who has at least three ‘eligible drama credits’, or
      • an emerging producer applying in conjunction with an ‘experienced producer’.

 

For full eligibility information, including definitions of an ‘eligible drama credit’ and an ‘eligible producer’, please refer to the attached guideline documents.

Applications are by invitation only. Contact a First Nations Investment Manager to discuss your project or the Program Operations team if you are unsure who to speak with: 1800 507 901 or [email protected]. If you are invited to apply you will be asked to submit your application using the Application Portal.

 

Turnaround time from complete applications is approximately eight weeks.

Funding decisions will be made against the following equally weighted criteria:

  • The quality of the proposal including its innovative and/or cultural significance
  • The project’s potential to connect with its target audience
  • The track record and capacity of the creative team
  • The strength of the marketplace and the level of co-finance excluding Screen Australia and the State agencies
  • Diversity of Slate

 

Preference will be given to original formats over programs based on foreign formats.

Downloads

First Nations Funding Guidelines

Download Document