Screen Australia announced today that it will launch a landmark program to support the development of internationally driven high-end television drama before the end of the year.
The High-end Television Development Program has been set up in recognition of the unprecedented audience and market growth for high-end television, and the ambitious, authorial and emotionally engaging storytelling that has connected with high-end global audiences, who flocked to shows such as Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Top of the Lake, House of Cards and The Bridge.
The first of its kind to be launched by Screen Australia, the program aims to assist Australian producers to develop inventive, high-end ideas from concept to series bible and first draft pilot script. It will fund up to five projects each year in two rounds, with up to $40,000 available for each successful project.
Projects will be selected following a creative assessment but must be supported by a formal letter of interest from a major international broadcaster or major internet streaming company. Involvement of an Australian broadcaster is not a requirement for this program.
The hope is that the program will identify inventive high-end TV series ideas with an international key market, enabling Australian producers to work in an international broadcasting landscape. It will also be distinguished by projects that tell specific but universal stories, with a creatively ambitious vision and a cinematic sensibility to encourage the cross-fertilisation of the best Australian cinema and TV creative talent.
Screen Australia Head of Development Martha Coleman said, “High-end television is responsible for water cooler conversations all over the world, winning its audience with complex, nuanced stories and creative brilliance. We know that Australia has the ideas and the talent to make a global impact through its storytelling, and this fund will assist our producers and writers to rise to the challenge and engage in this space.”
Full details of the program, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply, will be published shortly on the Screen Australia website.
Media enquiries
Tracey Mair M: 0419 221 493
traceym@tmpublicity.com
See more at: Screen Australia
IN ADDITION, Screen Australia recently launched Hot Shots, a new short film program that will fund up to three short dramas, each up to a maximum of eight minutes, with a budget of $70,000 per project.
Filmmakers will need to be inventive, creative and professional and be ready to tell surprising and emotionally engaging stories without breaking the bank.
Hot Shots is a great opportunity for filmmakers to progress their skills and careers.
The films must be professionally made on a $70,000 budget without additional finance, encouraging innovation and experimentation with an emphasis on strong and distinctive storytelling.
Screen Australia’s Head of Development Martha Coleman said, “Hot Shots builds on our overall professional development strategy by helping talented and ambitious filmmakers who are still honing their voice in the short film format.
“We’re providing an opportunity for filmmakers to create their shorts in a professional production environment by properly resourcing them, once again encouraging a creative and rigorous approach to their work.”
Hot Shots is open for applications until Monday 28 October. For details, including eligibility and how to apply, go to www.screenaustralia.gov.au/Hot_Shots.aspx
Media Enquiries
Teri Calder T: 02 8113 5833; M: 0408 440 995
teri.calder@screenaustralia.gov.au
See more at: Screen Australia
LATEST FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Screen Australia has committed nearly $650,000 in funding to support the development of 18 feature films and to cultivate the careers of the next generation of filmmakers – More.
- We recently announced $2.6 million in funding for 21 independent Australian game developers to support the creation of original projects – More.
- We have announced the recipients of the second round of our Enterprise Asia program, which is supporting 11 factual production companies to be part of an Australian screen industry delegation to Beijing and China in November – More.
SCREEN AUSTRALIA SUPPORTED PRODUCTIONS
Find out about the recent success of Screen Australia-supported projects.
Screen Australia-funded documentary The Story of Australia recently caught the attention of the Chinese President Xi Jinping. During Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s visit in October 2013 the Chinese leader reportedly commented that the series, the first Australia–China documentary co-production, was very popular on television. He went on to say we should tell more “good Chinese and Australian stories” to deepen the mutual understanding and friendly relations between the two countries.
Warwick Thornton’s new feature The Darkside premieres at Adelaide Film Festival tomorrow, and a companion website and fascinating-looking app called The Otherside have just been released. Check it out through the App Store and at www.theothersideproject.com
SCREEN AUSTRALIA SUPPORTED EVENTS
Browse through our calendar of supported events to find out what’s on each month. Upcoming events include: the Adelaide Film Festival, Canberra International Film Festival (including the inaugural ‘Body of Work’ event – this year honouring Harvey Weinstein), Melbourne Cinémathèque, Brisbane International Film Festival, SPAA conference and ADG conference.
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS
- Screen Australia, in partnership with the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), is again offering special assistance for up to three producers to attend the Rotterdam Lab, organised as part of CineMart at IFFR 2014. The Rotterdam Lab is a training program for emerging feature film producers, and includes panel sessions and networking opportunities focused on international feature film sales, financing, distribution and pitching – More information.
- Screen Australia, in partnership with the Ateliers du Cinéma Européen (ACE), will offer a special bursary for one selected Australian producer to attend the 2014 ACE international training program (ACE Mundus), taking place 31 March – 7 April in Paris and another European city to be confirmed – Eligibility criteria and information.
AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL SELECTIONS
- The Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia announced five Australian films for its 2013 line-up. Two Australian shorts, Swallow (p: Justin Dix, w/d: Mia’kate Russell) and The Landing (w/p: Jade van der Lei, w/d: Josh Tanner), are having their world premieres at the festival, joining Australian features Patrick (p: Antony I Ginnane, w: Justin King, d: Mark Hartley), 100 Bloody Acres (p: Julie Ryan, Kate Croser, w/d: Colin Cairnes, Cameron Cairnes) and Wolf Creek 2 (w/d/p: Greg McLean, p: Helen Leake, Steve Topic). The festival is taking place 11–20 October in Spain – More information.
- Australian feature documentaries Aim High in Creation! (p: Lizzette Atkins; w/d: Anna Broinowski) and Ukraine Is Not a Brothel (p: Kitty Green, Jonathan auf der Heide, Michael Latham, d:Kitty Green) have been selected to screen at the 26th Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), which is being held 20 November – 1 December – Further details.
ST KILDA FILM FESTIVAL NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES
Entries to the St Kilda Film Festival, taking place 22–31 May 2014, are now open. Entries close Friday 31 January.
For more information, visit http://www.
SYDNEY TRAVELLING FILM FESTIVAL
The Sydney Travelling Film Festival will visit Nambucca Heads and Port Macquarie later this week, followed by Cairns, Toowoomba and Townsville in November.
The festival is a showcase of Australian and international features, documentaries and short films screening in areas which have limited theatrical screening opportunities. Details.
