Private Investment Toolkit
A free platform to help producers and investors unlock private investment opportunities in screen
What is the Private Investment Toolkit?
The Private Investment Toolkit is a new industry tool to help filmmakers unlock private investment opportunities and support the industry to build a more sustainable, market-led sector.
Each section of the Toolkit offers a range of practical, adaptable resources for scripted and factual film investment at every stage of production – from development through to distribution and beyond.
Commissioned by Screen Australia and developed by a taskforce of experts across finance, tax, investment, philanthropy, legal, education and production, the interactive digital workflow features a range of resources and tools offering tailored approaches and clear pathways to suit multiple investment structures.
Why use the Private Investment Toolkit?
For screen practitioners it:
- supports projects to have a market-informed mindset that complements public funding with private capital;
- strengthens the attractiveness of screen investment through transparent, consistent and market-ready approaches to finance partnerships; and
- guides how projects could be pitched and communicated to private investors, using clear language to set value, risk, timelines and expectations.
For potential investors it:
- provides clear information to understand the sector, navigate the investment process and make informed, goal-aligned decisions;
- supports investment approaches tailored to commercial return, social or cultural impact, and philanthropic motivations; and
- identifies different ways to invest in screen projects with varying risk and return profiles.
How to Use the Toolkit
- The Private Investment Toolkit is free to use. It requires no registration or sign up.
- We recommend best use from a web browser on desktop or laptop. This toolkit is optimised for desktop. Experience may impacted when used via mobile or via tablet devices.
- To note: information uploaded to the Toolkit worksheets or tools is not saved, nor shared with Screen Australia. All detail will be lost once the browser is closed.
I'm a Producer
As the global screen industry continues to evolve, and with markets and local funding under pressure, a resilient finance plan is a critical component to any production. Private investment can help close potential financing gaps and opens potential partnerships across the world. Private investment offers an alternative financing pathway to assist building more sustainable, market-led business models.
The Private Investment Toolkit is best used prior to approaching investors, or when building your finance plan. It also serves as a guide for how to manage relationships with investors ongoing.
Keep in mind these relationships may take years to develop, so the earlier you start your research, the better.
You can find out more about finance plans at the Screen Australia podcast here.
Research. Network. Talk to the industry.
- Look at comparable productions for their credits and acknowledgements – who is credited?
- Research foundations and cultural funding for organisations or angel investor groups that are likely to support cultural, impact and commercial opportunities.
Investment publications: Australian Financial Review is a useful online and print publication for Australian business, politics and economic news. Philanthropy Australia is useful for resources specifically about Philanthropic giving, and Documentary Australia has great resources around Impact and Philanthropic investment for film on their website. Most of these organisations and publications have free e-newsletters.
Be sure to seek independent business and legal advice. Screen Australia cannot recommend or provide introductions to investors.
As the screen industry diversifies, it’s important for filmmakers and producers to consider different ways of doing business and new finance modelling. Private Investment is just one funding stream that can be incorporated into your finance plan. Check out the resources in the Private Investment Toolkit for more information and you can find out more about finance plans at the Screen Australia podcast here.
Be sure to seek independent financial and legal advice about your production and business. Screen Australia cannot provide specific business advice.
I'm an Investor
Film, and the screen industry more broadly, represents cultural, social and economic value in story form. Every film project is a start-up and offers a unique opportunity for financial return coupled with social impact. The screen sector can deliver influence, ownership and cultural impact as well as returns.
Network. Talk to the industry. Attend industry events and get a sense of what’s in the market and who is in development or looking for marketplace support.
Trade publications have the latest news and production announcements so are a great place to start your research. Screenhub is a useful online source for Australian screen industry news, with other sources including Inside Film, FilmInk and TV Tonight. Deadline is useful for international screen news, or try Screen Daily, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. Most of these trade publications have free e-newsletters. Most production company and producer contact details can be found online.
You can also find information about upcoming productions in Australia here. Alternatively, Australian states and territories have their own screen agencies and most have information about local upcoming productions on their respective websites.
Be sure to seek independent business and legal advice. Screen Australia cannot recommend or provide introductions to producers.
The best way to learn more about the screen industry is to participate and do your research through industry events and publications.
The Screen Australia website has a lot of information and detail about the domestic screen industry.
Industry events happen all year round and are increasingly being held online, free of charge or at very affordable rates. These events offer a great way to learn more about the industry, to hear directly from professionals and to meet new people. Federal and state screen agency, film festival and guild newsletters will keep you up to date on events and opportunities that are planned both online and in your local area. Some key annual events and opportunities include Screen Forever and 37 South (Melbourne International Film Festival). You can also stay across current events and opportunities on the Screen Australia website here.
Industry publications: Check out the trade publications in the question above. Also keep up with reviews and profiles through the Screen Australia podcast, and weekly Screen Show and Download This Show on ABC’s Radio National.
Be sure to seek independent business and legal advice. Screen Australia cannot recommend or provide introductions to production companies.
More Information
This toolkit was developed with input from the Screen Australia Private Investment Taskforce and coordinated by 113 Partners.
Screen Australia acknowledges the participation, expertise and experience of the Taskforce members listed below. Their generous contribution of time and industry knowledge was invaluable in shaping this toolkit.
113 Partners
- Ian Murray – Taskforce Chair
- Matt Taylor – Creative Business Advisor
- John Gregory – Screen Industry Advisor
- Stephanie Guterres – Finance, Business and Operations Specialist
- Jennifer Wilson – Digital and Multiplatform Strategist
- Will Passas – buckleybrown
Legal Group
- Sonia Borella – Co-Founder, The Stella House
- Mark Bamford – Director, Simpsons Solicitors
- Ted Cawrey – Group General Counsel, Elevate Production Finance
- Amy Noble- The Stella House
- Rebecca Hardman – See Saw Films
Tax and Accounting Group
- Tony Nagle – Managing Director, Nagle Accounting Pty Ltd
- Sharon Menzies – Managing Director, Hinterland
- Peter Anderson – Managing Director, Northern Screen Finance
- Zach Parker – Chief Executive Office, Fulcrum Media Finance
- Lauren Hillier – Accounts HQ
Producer Group
- Richard Finlayson – Joint CEO, Wooden Horse
- Emma Fitzsimons – Managing Director, Princess Pictures
- Jodi Matterson – CEO, Silent Firework
- Sonia Borella – Co-Founder, The Stella House
- Anna Vincent – Producer
Investor Group
- Deanne Weir – Founder, WeirAnderson Films
- Zareh Nalbandian – CEO and Producer, Animal Logic Entertainment and Truant Pictures
- Sharon Menzies – Managing Director, Hinterland
- Olivia Humphrey – Film-tech Entrepreneur
Philanthropic Group
- Damon Gameau – Co-Founder, Regen Studios and Future Council
- Mitzi Goldman – CEO, Documentary Australia
- Dr Georgie McClean – Executive Director, The Gist Strategy
- Deanne Weir – Founder, WeirAnderson Films
- Malinda Wink – Minderoo Pictures
Additional Interviews
- Bryce Menzies – Entertainment Lawyer, Marshalls+Dent+Wilmoth
- Robert Connolly – Producer, Director and Writer, Arenamedia
- Rebecca Barry – Co-Founder and Producer, Media Stockade
- Ester Harding – Mind the Gap
Other Contributors
- Mathieu Ravier- Director Partnerships and Development, Australian Film Television and Radio School
- Paul Wiegard – CEO and Co-Founder, Madman Entertainment
- Nick Batzias – Managing Partner, GoodThing Productions
- Greer Simpkin – Co-Managing Director and Producer, Bunya Productions
The Screen Australia Private Investment Taskforce was co-ordinated by 113 Partners.
Some of the views, opinions, findings and recommendations expressed in this Toolkit are those of the author(s) and may not necessarily reflect those of Screen Australia or the Commonwealth of Australia.
The information provided is for general information purposes only and must not be relied upon as representing government policy. It does not constitute, financial, investment, legal or tax advice, and is strictly non-binding. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, Screen Australia does not guarantee its accuracy, completeness or currency, and accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from your use of or reliance on the Toolkit or any errors or omissions in the Toolkit.
The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. The Toolkit contains factual information and no recommendation or opinion is being made with respect to investment in film and television projects. Before acting on any information or using any tools herein, you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your personal circumstances and, if necessary, seek independent advice from your financial advisor, lawyer and other professional advisors.
Any applications for funding from Screen Australia is subject at all times to approval from Screen Australia. Similarly, certification of the (i) Producer Offset is subject to a final determination by Screen Australia; and (ii) PDV Offset or Location Offset are subject to a final determination by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts. To the extent of any inconsistency between this Toolkit and any information, guidelines or other materials contained on the Screen Australia website, the Screen Australia website prevails.
Please refer to the Screen Australia website Terms and Conditions with respect to the Third Party Sites disclaimer, which would apply to any Third Party Sites that may be linked in this Toolkit.
This toolkit was developed with some assistance from Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. AI tools were used to support tasks such as data analysis, summarising information, and within the platform to develop code for the Toolkit itself. All AI-generated outputs were subject to human review and verification to ensure accuracy and alignment with the objectives of the Toolkit. Screen Australia uses AI in accordance with its AI Guiding Principles.
Users of the Toolkit are also directed to the Privacy Notice. Whilst the Toolkit does not direct users to provide, or solicit the provision of, personal information, if you provide third party personal information, you confirm you have the necessary consent or authority to do so.
We recommend usage on a laptop or desktop computer for full optimisation of the interactive components within this toolkit.
Feedback
Feedback or technical issues can be sent to toolkit@screenaustralia.gov.au