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Audience Development Program

The Audience Development Program provides support towards public screenings, festivals and tours that deliver opportunities for audiences to see and experience quality screen content and innovative practice. 

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Audience Development Program

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Summary

The Audience Development Program provides support towards public screenings, festivals and tours that deliver opportunities for audiences to see and experience quality screen content and innovative practice. These can be one off events or annual events, in single or multiple venues.

The purpose of this program is to support skilled film festival organisations to connect audiences with filmmakers to celebrate culture, community and collaboration and enrich the cultural fabric of NSW through on-screen storytelling.

Key information

  • Funding amount: From $5,000 to $50,000
  • Applications open: 18 June 2025
  • Applications close: 2pm, 16 July 2025
  • Designated Decision-Maker: Deputy Secretary, 24-Hour, Screen & Sound or financial delegate
  • Grant opportunity type: Open, competitive

Program objectives

The objectives of the Audience Development Program are to:

  • Deliver a vital, dynamic, and diverse range of screen experiences to communities across NSW
  • Contribute to the growth and sustainability of a vibrant and accessible screen sector
  • Support the growth and impact of NSW screen organisations
  • Contribute to the development of culture through the exhibition of screen projects to a wide audience
  • Increase participation for audiences and screen practitioners from the NSW Government key priority areas:
    • Regional NSW
    • Western Sydney
    • First Nations people
    • People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
    • People living with disability
    • LGBTQIA+ people.

The Audience Development Program is funded and administered by Screen NSW, an entity within the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport (DCITHS).

Contact & support

We encourage you to discuss your proposal and funding expectation with us prior to making your application. 

Screen NSW staff are available to provide technical advice and general information to potential applicants on the interpretation of these guidelines, including the types of events eligible for funding and support with the online application process.

Screen NSW staff cannot help directly with your application. To maintain a fair and equitable process, staff cannot edit or correct any applications or provide advice on the content or choices required against the Assessment Criteria for this grant opportunity.

For further information or clarification, please contact the Industry and Audience Development Team via email at [email protected].  

Eligibility criteria

Selection criteria

Eligible applications are evaluated against a common set of five weighted assessment criteria: 

Application process

Screen NSW uses the SmartyGrants platform for submission of all applications. Applications made using any other format will not be accepted. 

A preview of the application form can be viewed on the SmartyGrants portal.

Assessment process

Award process

Variations

Acquittals and final reporting

Publication of grants information

Conflict of Interest Management

Any conflicts of interest will be managed in accordance with the Guide. 

A conflict of interest, or perceived conflict of interest, may be identified if staff, any member of a committee or advisor and/or you or any of your personnel has:

  • A professional, commercial, or personal relationship with a party who can influence the application selection process
  • A relationship with or interest in, an organisation, which is likely to interfere with or restrict the applicants from carrying out the proposed activities fairly and independently
  • A relationship with, or interest in, an organisation from which they will receive personal gain because the organisation received funding under the program.

If you identify an actual, apparent, or perceived conflict of interest at any time, you must inform Screen NSW immediately via email at [email protected].

NSW Government staff, committee members and other officials including the decision maker must declare any conflicts of interest and ensure they are managed as per DCITHS’s Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Guide.

Complaint handling, access to information and privacy

Details on how Screen NSW handles complaints, access to information and your private information is available at:

https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/dciths/policies-plans-and-procedures/access-to-information/agency-information-guide