Screen NSW announces that applications are now open for the new rounds of Aurora and the Emerging Filmmakers Fund (EFF).

Aurora is Screen NSW's premium feature film development program. Since its inception in 2002, Aurora has attracted acclaimed Australian and international filmmakers as advisors and participants in the program, and has identified major new Australian filmmaking talent. Films developed through Aurora include Animal Kingdom, The Black Balloon, Somersault, Little Fish and Wish You Were Here.

Following consultation with the industry, this year Aurora has some new features. The program is now open to projects at both draft and treatment stage. Teams with an experienced writer can apply with a treatment only, allowing them to use the expertise on offer at Aurora during the crucial architectural stage of their project’s development.

The main workshop will move to the summer, at the beginning of February 2013, with the follow up workshop scheduled for mid-year, providing an accelerated time frame for Aurora. Teams will deliver a draft and a polish in between the two workshops, for which they will be provided with a draft investment of $30,000. And, for the first time, one of the two international Aurora advisors will act as the Guest Creative Director of Aurora for the year.

Applications for Aurora are now open, and will close on 21 September 2012.

The Emerging Filmmakers Fund supports talented new and emerging filmmakers in NSW by funding the production and post-production of short films.

There is one round of EFF a year and, this year, funding will be provided to three projects with grants of up to $30,000 for production and/or post-production.

Respected producer Kath Shelper (Samson and Delilah) will act as the mentor and Executive Producer for the EFF shorts for this round.

Applications for EFF are now open, and will close on 28 September 2012.

Successful teams for both programs will be announced in November 2012.

For more information, see:

Screen NSW Aurora webpage
Screen NSW Emergining Filmmakers Fund webpage