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Future Leaders Delegation
– GDC 2024 

The Future Leaders Delegation will provide funding and support for up to five applicants to travel to San Francisco to attend Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2024 (18–22 March 2024). 

This initiative provides underrepresented, early-to-mid career gamemakers the opportunity to travel to GDC for the first time, seek out professional opportunities, conduct international knowledge gathering, and build relationships that will benefit their careers. 

Successful applicants will be funded up to $8,000 per person towards flights, accommodation, meals and event tickets. Screen Australia will provide pre-departure and on-the-ground support through a mix of workshops, presentations, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

GDC is a high priority event in the global games industry calendar, bringing the international games sector together around an industry conference, awards ceremony, tradeshow, and networking events. Screen Australia acknowledges the challenge for gamemakers to travel to GDC, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds and communities. This initiative aims to provide the career benefits of attending a conference such as GDC to promising, future leaders who otherwise would not have the opportunity to attend. 

Who can apply?

To be eligible for this initiative, applicants must:

  • be Australian citizens or residents and meet Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade
  • have not travelled to GDC before
  • have released and/or published at least one game on a public platform (e.g. Steam, itch.io, etc.)
  • be actively working on at least one game
  • be available to attend GDC 2024 (18–22 March 2024 and travel dates around these) and to participate in a pre-departure workshop in late February 2024 in Melbourne (domestic travel costs will be covered for successful applicants).

This delegation is designed to support applicants who are currently under represented in the games industry. This includes but is not limited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; people who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; people who are Deaf, hard of hearing, or with disability; people who identify as women or gender diverse; people who identify as LGBTQIA+; and people located in regional and remote areas.

How do I apply?

Applicants need to create an account and submit an application via SmartyGrants, with the following application materials:  

  • A CV including details of any commercial or non-commercial game releases, festival awards, speaking opportunities, or volunteer work
  • Career Development Proposal (maximum 1,000 words) that includes:
  • How this opportunity would benefit you, your practice, and your career
  • Overview of your current and past projects, including for each title:
  • stage of development
  • your role on the project
  • if released, a link to the game’s store page
  • Your current career objectives and how attending GDC will help you achieve them 
  • A list of up to five local (Australia-based) gamemakers who you would like to receive mentoring from, including details on your current state of acquaintance with them (if any)
  • A list of up to five international gamemakers who you’d be interested to hear at a talk or would like to meet, including details on your current state of acquaintance with them (if any) 

If an applicant has access requirements that make it difficult to submit their application in the requested format or potential attendance complications, please email [email protected] and we will make arrangements to assist.

Applications close 5pm AEDT on Thursday 9 November, 2023.

How will my application be assessed?

Complete and eligible applications will be considered and reviewed by Screen Australia against the following criteria: 

  • the strength of the application and proposal
  • the stage of the applicant’s career and its suitability for the event
  • the perceived experience and knowledge of the applicant pertinent to the activity
  • the alignment of the application with the diversity, equity, and inclusion aims of the initiative

Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by Friday 15 December 2023.

TERMS OF FUNDING

If successful, direct funding for this opportunity will be provided in the form of a grant. Successful applicants will enter into an activity grant agreement (AGA) with Screen Australia. Successful applicants will be required to book international flights, accommodation, and event tickets. Domestic travel and accommodation for the pre-departure workshop will be arranged and covered by Screen Australia.

Accommodation will be required for the core dates of Saturday 16 March until Saturday 23 March, 2024. Those wishing to extend their travel outside these dates will be wholly responsible for all expenses, including accommodation and travel insurance.

Screen Australia staff will travel to GDC 2024 alongside successful applicants to provide on-the-ground support. Pre-departure training and workshops will be provided by a mix of Screen Australia staff and games industry professionals. 

If you are an experienced gamemaker who is interested in mentoring for this program, please email [email protected] with a brief bio.

Screen Australia acknowledges and appreciates the time and effort that goes into preparing and submitting applications, but given the anticipated volume of applications, we will not be able to provide individual feedback on each application. 

For any enquiries, please contact the Screen Australia Program Operations team on 1800 507 901 or Games. Please note that we are not able to provide creative advice or suggestions to strengthen your application.