International Festivals and Awards provides support such as:
Promote Australian content and talent at major international festivals and awards events, and work with other partners to enhance your international marketing strategy. Recognize the importance of a global strategy limited to the global or international premiere of a new title and plan related sales and marketing activities at key industry events.
Although there are hundreds of international film festivals, this program can only support titles that are invited to the industry’s most prestigious events.
available funds
Screen Australia will typically contribute up to $20,000 for feature films and television series and $10,000 for short films and short series to the promotional budget of eligible events.
The level of funding is determined by the film’s individual international marketing strategy, evidenced by a comprehensive plan and budget developed by the sales agent or producer. Festival screenings must be the world premiere or international premiere of the title.
Projects may only receive one grant through this program strand, except in connection with nominations for eligible awards such as the Academy Awards®, British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards®, or Emmy Awards®.
inclusive storytelling
For Australian film content to effectively deliver cultural and economic benefits, it must speak to and be for all Australians. Diverse ideas and a diverse workforce will strengthen Australia’s film industry, making it more relevant to Australian audiences and more internationally competitive.
Screen Australia is committed to building equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility into its programming and community engagement.
Screen Australia encourages applicants from all backgrounds, cultures and experiences to apply. We especially welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
Screen Australia strives to make its funding programs more accessible by removing barriers for people who are deaf, disabled and/or from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
qualification
Applicants and projects must meet the specific eligibility criteria set out in Screen Australia’s Terms and Conditions, the general eligibility or other requirements set out on Screen Australia’s website (see Information for Applicants and Information for Recipients) and these Guidelines.
Eligibility for application
The program is open to companies and individuals (either alone or as part of a team as joint applicants).
To qualify, an applicant company must:
Be an incorporated company carrying on business in Australia and have central management and control in Australia. Have an Australian Business Number (ABN). Where required by law, we will be registered for GST purposes.
To be eligible, individual applicants (or individual co-applicants) must:
Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident (holding a permanent visa). I have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
eligible opportunities
Eligible events have been selected to ensure that Screen Australia’s support is as strategic as possible and that available funding is maximized.
You must provide proof of selection to a qualifying festival or award.
Note: Invitations to festivals and awards events do not guarantee support. Approval is dependent on the soundness of the marketing strategy and its implementation plan, the availability of funding, and the strength of the application.
For festivals, the screening must be at least the international premiere of the title outside of its home country.
Festivals covered:
Annecy International Animation Film Festival Berlin International Film Festival Busan International Film Festival Cannes Film Festival Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival CPH:Dox, Copenhagen Critics’ Week, Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, Cannes Hot Documents, Toronto IDFA, Amsterdam International Film Festival, Rotterdam Locarno Film Festival Series Mania, Lille Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival SxSW, Austin Telluride Film Festival Toronto International Film Festival Tribeca Film Festival Venice International Film Festival
Eligible awards:
Academy Awards® British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards Emmy Awards®
In exceptional cases, at Screen Australia’s discretion, events not on the current list may be considered if they are of increasing importance and/or present a unique commercial opportunity.
To determine eligibility, please contact us at (email protected) before submitting.
Important: You cannot apply retroactively.
Application process
Before applying, applicants should read and understand these guidelines, review Australian trading conditions, information for applicants, information for recipients, and preview the application form in SmartyGrants.
How to apply
After receiving the invitation to the relevant opportunity, you can apply at any time through the application portal.
Applications must be submitted six weeks prior to the festival or awards event to allow time to process and provide feedback before the marketing strategy is implemented.
Note: Submissions must be submitted at least 3 weeks in advance.
application form
Complete and submit the online application form through SmartyGrants’ Screen Australia application portal. Through the application form, applicants must: Provide all requested information and answer application questions. Meet all eligibility criteria as required. Contains all necessary support materials.
Materials needed
Applicants must upload the following supporting materials on the application form:
Evidence of festival invitation or award nomination (required) A comprehensive marketing plan setting out the purpose of the festival or event, what activities are planned, including public relations, promotions and marketing materials, and how the event will increase the market potential of the title. If your request includes the cost of an Australian cast member on the red carpet, any associated publicity plans. A complete marketing budget for the event showing all proposed expenditures. The letterhead includes supporting documents such as supplier quotations. All sources of income must be shown, including contributions from distributors, state agencies, producers, and investors. Must-have distribution list for festivals.
evaluation
process
Once submitted, our program management team will review each application to determine eligibility and ensure that required materials are submitted. A member of our team may contact applicants if they have any questions regarding submitted materials or eligibility. Once eligibility is verified, applicants will receive an email notifying them that their application has proceeded to review. The review process will take approximately 3 weeks. Applications will be assessed against published criteria by Screen Australia representatives and industry experts will be consulted where appropriate.
standard
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
strategy. The strength of the title’s international marketing strategy and the role events play in sales or release planning. opportunity. Status of the section/forum the project or person was invited to. Likelihood of survival. the viability of the marketing budget, including contributions from other sources;
Other factors may also be considered, such as:
Availability of Funds. Scope of projects funded by Screen Australia. This includes project size, budget, target audience, genre, and theme. The range of applicants receiving funding from Screen Australia, including applicant, applicant company and geographic diversity. The extent to which the project is likely to effectively and appropriately enhance and amplify equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Decision and notification
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within approximately three weeks of receiving the “Proceed to Assessment” email. Screen Australia will notify applicants of the results in writing. Decisions on applications are final. We receive more applications than we can support. Inevitably, some applications will be unsuccessful and applicants will be disappointed with this outcome.
Successful candidates
Under contract
If the application is approved, the applicant will receive an email with details of the level and type of contribution approved by Screen Australia, information about the contract process and applicable terms and conditions. Successful applicants will enter into an activity grant agreement with Screen Australia.
Funding conditions
Funding from this program is provided as a grant. Recipients must submit a written report detailing the results of their funding.
Other resources
Further information about Screen Australia’s funding and resources to help you submit an application can be found on the Screen Australia website.
contact
If applicants have further questions, please contact Screen Australia’s Program Operations department at email protected or 1800 507 901. Please note that Screen Australia cannot provide creative advice or review material that may form part of your submission.
privacy
Screen Australia collects personal information from individuals in a variety of ways, including through funding applications, non-conviction reports and supporting documentation attached to forms. Screen Australia will treat personal information provided in connection with a funding application in accordance with the Funding Application Privacy Notice and Privacy Policy.
