Screen Australia has today announced its Narrative Content Funding Programs and guidelines are evolving to better support screen practitioners and future-proof against industry and audience disruption.
Taking effect from 1 July 2025, the updates were announced by Screen Australia Chair Michael Ebeid, forming a key part of the agency’s new strategic direction.
To find out more about the upcoming changes to the Narrative Content Program and Guidelines, review the webinar below.
Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said, “The industry is rapidly changing, and Screen Australia is committed to empowering practitioners to tackle the challenges of today and seize future opportunities. These program and application changes are designed to holistically support innovative approaches to our modern screen landscape, yet continue to support the exceptional calibre and performance of established formats. The changes have been informed through insights and industry consultation, changing viewing habits, and shifts in commissioning and distribution models that place a greater emphasis on audience and marketplace.
“In keeping with the changing screen landscape, we’re streamlining programs to bring all narrative platforms into one set of development and production guidelines, a more platform-agnostic approach which will enable distinctive narrative stories whatever their primary and first window is, to reach audiences wherever they watch. Ultimately, we’re evolving to ensure Australian stories connect with their audiences and thrive in a globally competitive marketplace and in our own backyard.”
From 1 July 2025, there will be two Narrative programs, Development and Production, including Children’s content. They will be platform-agnostic, covering Features, Television and Online/Direct-to-Audience.
Key Updates for Development
- A streamlined, integrated application process:
- One portal for applications, ceasing the Generate and Premium funding categories in recognition of changing budgets and to support all practitioners of all career levels.
- Reduced application requirements, including the removal of the ‘pitch video’ requirement.
- Supporting applicants with templates for required application documents including Development Plan and Project Plan.
- An audience-first and platform-agnostic assessment lens – Features, Television, and Online/Direct-to-Audience projects will all be assessed against the same criteria in an integrated decision meeting.
- Introducing greater support at the Development stage for audience engagement such as research, testing, and community management.
- Introducing matched market co-funding for Features.
- Development will continue as an open and rolling deadline open for all practitioners.
Key Updates for Production
- Introducing funding for Short Films to support the trajectory of future feature film makers (two rounds per year).
- Increasing the maximum production budget of projects that can apply for support to $30 million.
- Increasing the funding threshold for online projects to support companies and practitioners focused on Online/Direct-to-Audience to grow their work and audience through investment-level funding.
- Introducing a Letter of Intent (LOI) funding avenue for feature projects at $5 million budget or less, with a funding request of $500,000 or less to support early career feature film projects with Screen Australia ‘first’ funding to assist market attachment.
- Supporting audience-facing strategies for funded projects.
- A streamlined application process including:
- Moving from five deadlines per year to four, allowing for larger available funding resources per decision meeting.
- Significantly minimising application requirements including request duplication, chain of title requirements at time of application and other statements around creative and market elements.
The Marketplace team will continue to provide services and support for Television and Feature Film and expand to include Online/Direct-to-Audience projects and practitioners.
Key Dates
To prepare for the rollout of the new programs and guidelines Screen Australia will be closing the following Narrative Content programs on Friday 9 May 2025 (5pm AEST):
- Story Development
- Online Development
- Online Production
- P&A Plus Fund
- Feature Enhancement
The Narrative Content Development program will re-open on 1 July.
The 19 June 2025 (5pm AEST) Narrative Content Production Investment deadline will remain for applications. Assessments will take place in accordance with the existing Guidelines. The next application deadline for Narrative Content Production Investment will open upon launch of the updated guidelines on 1 July 2025.
Further information
All guidelines, application forms and templates and FAQs, will be released on 1 July. Eligibility requirements for the updated Narrative Content Development and Production programs will remain the same as those in the previous programs.
Any further questions relating to existing Narrative Content applications, please contact [email protected] for Development and [email protected] for Production.
Screen Australia has also announced changes to its Documentary funding programs.
