Narrative Content Development

Applicants and projects must meet 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 the guidelines.

Specific requirements apply to projects which involve First Nations community participation or content.

Specific requirements apply to projects which involve community participation or content with the following communities: d/Deaf, disabled, culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTQIA+, or those from other under-represented groups.

This program is open to companies and individuals (either alone or as part of a team as co-applicants). To be eligible:

• an applicant company must be an incorporated company carrying on business in Australia, with its central management and control in Australia.
• an individual applicant must be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident (holding a permanent visa).
• Applicants must also:
  • have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
  • be registered for GST if required by law.
  • demonstrate, with the exception of anticipated Official Co-Productions, that the project is written and directed by Australian citizens or permanent residents and that any non-Australian producers do not prevent the project from meeting the requirements of Screen Australia’s other eligibility requirements.

The following types of entities are not eligible to apply to this program:

• a Commonwealth, state, territory or local government agency or body.
• any organisation or individual that is otherwise excluded pursuant to the Information for Applicants.

For full eligibility information, including specific project eligibility, please refer to the attached guidelines.

Before applying, applicants must read and understand these guidelines, Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade, Information for Applicants, Information for Recipients, and preview the application form on SmartyGrants. Applications can be made at any time through Screen Australia’s Application Portal on SmartyGrants.

Through the application form, applicants must:

• provide all the information requested and answer the application questions;
• meet, where required, all eligibility criteria; and,
• include all required supporting materials.

For full details on the application process, including required materials and project plans, please refer to the attached guidelines.

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria, and in the context of Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade:

• Story (50%)
  • Is the story strong, distinctive and entertaining and does it demonstrate storytelling craft?
  • Is the story suited to its platform and audience?
  • Does the story contribute to a depth and diversity of Australian stories?
• Talent & Development (25%)
  • Is there evidence of the talent’s creative potential and/or previous experience and are they positioned to execute the vision?
  • Does the talent and team have authentic connection to the story, the characters and the world they are representing?
  • Do the Story Development Plan, Project Plan, and where applicable, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan, clearly articulate the strategy to progress the project creatively, and in relation to financing, market and audience?
• Audience & Budget (25%)
  • Has the audience been clearly and appropriately identified?
  • Does the story have potential to connect with Australian and/or global audiences?
  • Will the story have impact for audiences and/or reflect the diversity of people and experiences from around Australia?
  • Does the talent, team and story have the pathway to reach audience on its intended platform and within its intended budget?

Other factors may be considered including the:

• availability of funds;
• range and diversity of projects in receipt of development funding from Screen Australia inclusive of a project’s scale, budget, intended audience, genre and themes;
• range and diversity of applicants in receipt of development funding from Screen Australia inclusive of applicant, applicant company and geographic diversity;
• extent to which a project is likely to effectively and properly increase and amplify equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

For full details on the assessment criteria, please refer to the attached guidelines.