Production Funding Applications Open Soon!

Production Funding Applications Open Soon!

Screenwest will open applications for Documentary, Scripted and Footloose Production Funding on Wednesday 1 July 2020. Applications for these programs close Monday, 3 August 2020 at 5:00pm AWST.

It has been an unprecedented time for the screen industry globally as circumstances slowly begin to return to ‘normal’. Screenwest is pleased to announce production rounds for Documentary, Scripted and Footloose projects, which will be the first rounds of the 2021 – 22 financial year.

The Guidelines and Terms of Trade

The Production Funding Guidelines and Screenwest Terms of Trade will remain the same for this funding round. Screenwest will analyse the current guidelines, using relevant industry consultation to see if they still meet the needs of Screenwest and the wider industry.  Small updates to the Terms of Trade will also be completed after appropriate consultation with the industry and the Screenwest Board has been finalised. We understand this has been a difficult time for the Western Australian screen industry and any changes to Terms of Trade and guidelines must be well communicated at a time when the industry is not under the significant pressure that COVID-19 has presented.

In addition, we acknowledge that the application period for this round is slightly shorter than previously offered, so this has also contributed to the decision to keep the guidelines and Terms of Trade as they are. A benefit to the reduced time frame for applications will translate to timely funding decisions for projects, which could assist the industry at this time.

Advance Notice of Funding Rounds

To provide more certainty to industry, allow adequate notice of funding rounds and enable production companies and producers to forward plan, Screenwest anticipates that in the 2021-22 financial year, it will offer the following Production rounds, depending on availability of funds.

Documentary Production

• Two Documentary Production funding rounds (inclusive of this current round).
• Expected second round to close in January 2021 – open dates to be formally announced.
• Budget allowing, a third round to close in May 2021.

Scripted Production and Footloose

• Two Scripted Production and Footloose funding rounds (inclusive of this current round).
• Second round expected TBC

“Screenwest acknowledges the significant pressure the industry has been under throughout the COVID-19 crisis, and with a view to alleviate any additional uncertainty regarding production funding, it’s necessary for Screenwest to continue to be flexible and provide timely and clear information to industry,” explained Willie Rowe, CEO of Screenwest.

He added, “We sincerely appreciate guidance received from industry, and have seen their resilience, innovative ideas and talent come to the fore during this period. We will continue to work with them and advocate for them to create a vibrant screen sector in Western Australia.”

Screenwest includes the dates of funding rounds which have been confirmed on the WA Screen Industry Calendar.

About the Funding Rounds

Documentary Production

The Documentary Production Fund provides support to Western Australian Producers with distinctive, high quality and diverse projects with strong Western Australian outcomes.

The fund provides production finance for feature length documentary films and factual series with significant marketplace attachments from traditional and new online platforms and distributors.

Scripted Production

The Scripted Production Fund provides support to distinctive, high quality and diverse projects with strong Western Australian outcomes. The fund provides production finance for feature films, telemovies and scripted series with significant marketplace attachments from traditional and new distribution platforms (with significant audience share).

 

Footloose Production

The Footloose Production Fund provides production funding to secure high profile, market driven, local, national and international footloose, scripted screen productions to Western Australia to showcase local stories, locations and/or culture to an international audience and to assist in the development of the Western Australian screen sector.

How to Apply

The full guidelines, including eligibility and assessment criteria are available now on the Production Page of the Screenwest website.

All program guidelines are to be read in conjunction with the current Screenwest Terms of Trade.

Applications will be accepted through the Screenwest SmartyGrants Portal, with application forms going live early next week.

An application receipt will be automatically forwarded to the applicant from Smartygrants to confirm that Screenwest has received the application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact Screenwest if an application receipt has not been received within two working days.

Applications close Monday, 3 August 2020 at 5:00pm AWST.

Program Contacts

For more information about these program, please contact:

Documentary Production

Paul Williams, Documentary Manager
Screenwest
T: + 61 8 6169 2116
E:  paul.williams@screenwest.com.au

 

Scripted and Footloose Production

Franziska Wagenfeld, Development and Production Executive
Screenwest
T: + 61 8 6169 2110
E:  franziska.wagenfeld@screenwest.com.au

SmartyGrants

Monique Hammond, Development & Production Coordinator
Screenwest
T: + 61 8 6169 2121
E:  monique.hammond@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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