Drama and Documentary Production Funding Rounds Now Open!
L - R: 1: Director of Photography Claire Leach filming the Rules family behind...
L – R: 1: Director of Photography Claire Leach filming the Rules family behind the scenes of Family Rules Series 3. Photo by Sabine Albers © Metamorflix, Karla Hart Enterprises, NITV and Screenwest (Australia) Ltd; 2: Luke Eve directing Brenton Thwaites in I Met A Girl. Photo by David Dare Parker © Monsoon Pictures; 3: Shenika in Yellagonga Park, Woodvale, Western Australia in Family Rules Series 3. Photo by Sabine Albers © Metamorflix, Karla Hart Enterprises, NITV and Screenwest (Australia) Ltd.
Pre-Christmas Production Round Added: Drama and Documentary Production Funding Rounds Now Open!
Due to significant industry need, Screenwest is opening new Scripted, Footloose and Documentary Production Funding Rounds. Applications close Monday, 23 November 2020 at 5:00pm AWST.
These Scripted, Footloose and Documentary Production Funding rounds have been opened in response to overwhelming industry requests for projects seeking to secure their funding position ahead of Christmas. This is largely due to evolving circumstances around broadcaster and distributor commitments for 2021 and, Screen Australia’s production funding round and subsequent February Board meeting.
The announcement of this funding round due to the considerations above, are of particular importance following changes announced to the Screen Australia Producer Offset that will apply from July 1, 2021.
As the WA industry is aware, the funding decisions will be carefully considered in light of the rapidly evolving impact of COVID-19 on domestic and international markets, production budget costs, finance and production timetables, and Screenwest’s own availability of funds.
With increased activity across both the drama and factual sectors, it is likely the funds that are available will be heavily oversubscribed. Priority will be given to projects with completed finance plans, or those approaching completion and/or are looking to shoot in the first half of 2021.
Please note that projects submitted in this round will be assessed in line with the current Terms of Trade and existing Scripted, Footloose and Documentary Production guidelines.
Screenwest had previously communicated that we expected a second Documentary Production round to close in January 2021 and budget allowing, a third round in May 2021. In light of the need for a round to take place prior to the end of the calendar year, another planned round will close in April 2021 (depending on the availability of funds). The updated Scripted, Footloose and Documentary production round dates are as follows:
Current Round (second round for 2020-21)
- Application Deadline: Monday, 23 November 2020
- Screenwest Decision expected by: Monday, 21 December 2020
Proposed (third round for 2020-21)
- Application Deadline: Monday, 5 April 2021
- Screenwest Decision expected by: Wednesday, 26 May 2021
How to Apply
The full guidelines, application materials and eligibility criteria are available on the Production Funding page of the Screenwest website.
All program guidelines are to be read in conjunction with the Screenwest Terms of Trade.
Applications need to be submitted through the SmartyGrants application portal. Direct links can be found on the program page for each fund. An automated receipt will be emailed to the applicant upon submission. If you do not receive the receipt or have any trouble submitting your application via Smartygrants, please contact Screenwest as soon as possible on +61 8 6169 2100.
Please note: the submission portals for all funding programs close automatically at 5:00pm AWST sharp on the specified due date.
Allow plenty of time to submit your application in case of unanticipated problems. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. If you are having any trouble with the application form, please contact the Screenwest office on +61 8 6169 2100 as soon as possible and we can assist.
Please read our article with tips for using SmartyGrants if you have not used the portal before.
Please note that this round will be assessed in line with the current Terms of Trade and existing Scripted, Footloose and Documentary Production Fund guidelines.
Applications close Monday, 23 November 2020 at 5:00pm AWST.
Program Contacts
For more information about Scripted and Footloose Production Funding, please contact:
Franziska Wagenfeld
Screenwest Development and Production Executive
T: + 61 8 6169 2110
E: franziska.wagenfeld@screenwest.com.au
For more information about Documentary Production Funding, please contact:
Paul Williams
Screenwest Documentary Manager
T: + 61 8 6169 2116
E: paul.williams@screenwest.com.au
Contact Screenwest
T: +61 8 6169 2100
E: info@screenwest.com.au
www.screenwest.com.au
www.filminwesternaustralia.com.au
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