Funding up to $850,000 to support feature films, television series, and documentaries, with the primary aim of boosting Queensland’s screen industry and promoting local talent.
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What is the Screen Queensland’s Screen Finance Fund?
The Screen Queensland’s Screen Finance Fund offers significant financial support for projects featuring Queensland practitioners in key creative roles. The fund is designed to help finance feature films, television series, and documentaries, with the primary aim of boosting Queensland’s screen industry and promoting local talent.
Screen Finance Fund level of support
The fund provides financial support as a percentage of the production’s estimated Queensland Production Expenditure (QPE), and funding is structured according to residency:
Queensland Residents:
- Base funding: 12% of QPE
- Cap funding: Up to 15% of QPE, capped at $850,000
Interstate Residents:
- Base funding: 10% of QPE
- Cap funding: Up to 12% of QPE, capped at $850,000
Applications for under $250,000 are provided as non-recoupable grants, while applications for over $250,000 are considered as equity investments, with Screen Queensland holding a 1% share of copyright and the investment being 100% recoupable.
Screen Finance Fund important dates
- This is a rolling fund, and applications can be submitted at any time.
- However, applications requesting more than $250,000 must align with Screen Queensland’s board cut-off dates.
- Next cut-off date: 23 October 2024.
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Screen Finance Fund objectives
The primary objectives of the Screen Queensland Finance Program are to:
- Support projects that employ Queensland-based practitioners in key creative roles
- Showcase Queensland’s unique culture, history, and identity through film and television productions
- Encourage the production of First Nations stories and ensure cultural diversity is well-represented
Projects and expenditure eligible for Screen Finance Fund support
Eligible projects for support include feature films, television series, and documentaries. These projects must have Queensland-resident producers or line producers attached, and the productions must meet other residency or cultural representation criteria.
Ineligible expenditure:
- Projects that have previously been unsuccessful in applying for Screen Finance funding more than twice
- Projects that do not meet the required cultural representation for under-represented backgrounds
See the guidelines for full details of projects and expenditure eligible for Screen Finance Fund support.
Other Screen Finance Fund important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Screen Finance Fund support
Applicants are eligible for Screen Finance funding if:
- they are the rights-holding producer (with a solicitor’s chain of title opinion required before first drawdown)
- they are an Australian resident
- the project has a Queensland-resident producer or line producer attached
- the project has not been previously unsuccessful in applications for Screen Finance funding twice
- they have read and complied with Screen Queensland’s Terms of Trade
- the team of key creatives authentically represent the story and characters in your application
- If your story includes content or characters from an under-represented background, e.g. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; culturally and linguistically diverse people; people with a disability; female; LGBTQIA+ people, then appropriate representation of that diversity must be ensured throughout the production.
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
Screen Finance Fund assessment criteria
Your proposal will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Is the creative material developed to a professional, production-ready standard and is it likely to engage with its intended audience?
- Does the team have a clear idea of who their audience is and how to reach them?
- Has the project secured strong marketplace commitment?
- Is the Finance Plan secure, and are cashflow arrangements in place as required?
- Is the budget appropriate?
- Does the team have a good reputation for delivering what it says it will and the skills to make this happen?
- How will this funding benefit Queensland, particularly Queensland-based Production Companies and above-the-line practitioners, and the state screen sector more broadly?
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria.
How do I get the Screen Finance Fund?
Applicants must:
- Read and understand the guidelines.
- Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
- Demonstrate a strong alignment with the fund’s objectives
- Provide complete information requirements.
See the guidelines for full details of other requirements.
Information to prepare for the Screen Finance Fund application
To apply, you will need to prepare:
- A detailed production budget
- Proof of residency for Queensland producers or key creative team members
- A solicitor’s chain of title opinion for the rights-holding producer
- Cultural Engagement and Safety Plans if your project includes First Nations elements
- Letters or agreements indicating marketplace commitment (if applicable)
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the Screen Finance Fund
You can apply for the fund via the Screen Queensland SmartyGrants platform. Applications requesting more than $250,000 must adhere to the board meeting schedule, while smaller applications can be submitted at any time.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Screen Finance Fund resources
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