Short to Feature Fast Track Initiative

Screen NSW general eligibility requirements can be found in the Screen NSW Terms of Trade which should be read in conjunction with these guidelines.

The producer must have at least one of the following:

• An ‘eligible fiction credit' (see our FAQ below for ‘What is an eligible fiction credit’) as a producer, OR
• A credit as a producer on a short fiction project which has received production funding through Screen Australia’s Online or First Nations Department fiction programs.

The director must have at least one of the following:

• An ‘eligible fiction credit' (see our FAQ below for ‘What is an eligible fiction credit’) as a director, OR
• A credit as a director on a short fiction project which has received production funding through Screen Australia’s Online or Indigenous Department fiction programs, OR 
• A credit as a director on a narrative television series with a minimum duration of 30 minutes OR 
• A high level of critical acclaim as a director in a related field such as theatre, TV commercials or documentary (i.e., awards, critical reviews, broadcasts, box office, international sales).  

Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis where a director has previously directed a feature film, however the initiative is supporting creatives moving into features so materials must demonstrate a strong case to support, i.e., be a significant genre shift from previous work. 

General Eligibility:

• The Applicant must be the producer and have a valid ABN and, if required by law, be registered for GST. 
• The Applicant may be an individual or a production company and must be NSW Based. 
• The Applicant must own or control the rights in the short/ proof of concept and feature film script and all other rights necessary to carry out the projects. 
• The “key creative team” must comprise a NSW-Based writer, director and applicant-producer. Additional producers, who are not NSW Based and are not the applicants, will be considered. 
• Applications must include at least one Key Creative from Screen NSW’s Strategic Priority Area groups (Regional NSW, Western Sydney, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people living with disability, and LGBTQIA+ people). 
• Applications must also include at least one female Key Creative in line with NSW gender equity targets. 
• A team must comprise of at least two members, and all teams must include a producer. One person cannot be both the producer and director on the project. Nor can they hold all three key creative positions: writer, director and producer. However, writer/director or writer/producer are eligible. 
• An individual can submit or be attached to multiple applications; however, advice is to put your most competitive projects forward.

Short film/proof of concept production:

• To be at least 5 minutes to a maximum of 15 minutes in duration. 
• To be produced and post-produced entirely in NSW. 
• Can include live action and animation. 
• For post-production applications, applications must be at the rough-cut or fine-cut stage with the latest footage having been shot within one year of the application closing date. 
• Projects must be shot on and mastered on HD and able to be screened via theatrical release, television, online or mobile. 
• While encouraging low budget approaches to storytelling, producers are permitted to raise additional finance to produce their films. Screen NSW encourages applicants to approach industry facilities and negotiate deals, as well as crowd funding, distribution, and other sources of funds to finance their project. 
• Please seek approval before committing to crediting requirements. The funds must be in place at the time of submitting your application and evidence of this provided in your second stage application. 
• Third-party investment is allowed under specific conditions and following consultation with Screen NSW. Third-party investors must sit behind any deferrals in the recoupment structure. 
• Sponsorship and product placement are allowed in the form of a grant, not an investment (it cannot be recoupable) and must be approved by Screen NSW in advance. 
• As per our Terms of Trade, Screen NSW funding is conditional on paying at least award minimum rates including key creatives, cast and crew.
• Funding cannot be retrospective.
• Documentary projects are not eligible.

Feature film development:

• The feature film script does not have to be the same story or a long version of the short film/proof of concept but should be connected, for example, by creative voice, genre, tone or stylistic approach. The formats can include live action and animation. All genres are eligible. 
• There is no restriction on subject matter or style, but Screen NSW is looking for scripts that are compelling, distinctive and have a strong sense of their audience. 
• The feature film must be intended to be produced and post-produced entirely in NSW. 

Screen NSW is dedicated to promoting fairness and equality in its programs and interactions with the community. Our main priorities include supporting increased participation in the industry of people from underrepresented groups, including: 

• Regional NSW 
• Western Sydney 
• First Nations people 
• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds 
• People living with disability 
• LGBTQIA+ people.

Supporting this participation encourages genuine storytelling and fosters inclusivity.  

Screen NSW believes it is crucial for the narrative and characters of projects it funds to reflect the lived experiences of diverse communities. Furthermore, Screen NSW values the cultural expertise of the applicant’s creative team in conveying an authentic story. 

To effectively contribute to the cultural and economic well-being of the state of NSW, screen content should resonate with and cater to our audiences. Embracing diverse ideas and fostering a diverse workforce will strengthen our local screen industry, making it more relevant to local audiences and more competitive globally. 

Applications must include at least one Key Creative from Screen NSW’s Priority Area groups above. 

If your project contains First Nations Content, it will be ineligible if it cannot demonstrate appropriate Indigenous consultation and/or participation. Screen NSW does not currently support projects with significant First Nation’s content without a member of the key creative team coming from an appropriate background. 

Please refer to Screen Australia’s guidelines Pathways & Protocols: a filmmaker’s guide to working with Indigenous people, culture and concepts.

In line with NSW gender equity targets, Screen NSW is also committed to supporting gender balance for both above and below the line talent. Applications must include at least one female Key Creative. 

Screen NSW will fund up to three teams with up to $75,000 each to produce a short film or proof of concept (funding up to $45,000) and provide script development funds for a low-budget feature film project (funding up to $30,000).  

Except where otherwise agreed, the short film or proof of concept is to be produced and post-produced entirely in NSW and the feature film is intended to be produced and post-produced entirely in NSW. 

Support can be provided for a narrative short film or proof of concept for either:

• Up to $45,000 for live action and/or animation production as appropriate to the project, or
• Up to $30,000 for post-production to completion funds as appropriate to the project.
  
  

In your application you will also need to include your plans, which address the requested development funds for your advanced-stage, low budget feature film project. 

Screen NSW will fund up to $30,000 for development costs for each project. 

• Funds may include writer fees, director fees, producer fees, pitch deck/look book, workshops with actors, research, mentorships, consultations to accelerate the project towards production and financing. 
• The funds must also be paid towards the cost of an appropriately experienced Script Editor. 
• In line with Screen NSW Development guidelines, development budgets cannot include funding for office overheads, legal fees, option fees, items already expended prior to applying for development funds, graphic design or printing costs associated with a pitch deck, or catering costs for writers’ rooms over $200 per day.
• You will also need to include the estimated total production budget for the feature film. Strategically, we are looking for low budget projects because they are more likely to be financed and made with emerging teams. For this initiative, we are saying this means features under $5 million. 
• Successful teams will be allocated an experienced, NSW-based Executive Producer (EP) by Screen NSW to provide guidance across both production of the short film and script development. The selected EP will be reflective of the creative genre, tone and/or stylistic approach of the short/proof of concept and feature film. 

• The strength and distinctiveness of the concept(s)
  • The team’s ability to articulate the story concept(s) 
  • Does the story/do the stories feel timely or particularly resonant? 
• The originality and quality of the short film/proof of concept script and feature concept and quality of other submitted creative materials
  • Is there clarity about genre and tone for the project(s)? 
  • Does the short film script and feature film one-pager deliver on these ambitions?  
• The track record and creative potential of the team, their unity of vision, and their balance of experience, along with potential for skills development
  • Does the team have the skills and relevant experience to advance the projects towards production and deliver on their creative vision? 
  • Ability to articulate their unified vision across their two projects 
  • Ability to articulate career goals and plans and how submitted projects will contribute to achieving these 
• The potential of the projects to reach the target audience
  • Ability to articulate intended audience and pathway to market 
  • Potential of the projects to reach and resonate with its target audience. 

• The appropriateness of the budget and finance plan for the short film/proof of concept, and the team’s ability to realise the project within them
• The originality and quality of the feature film script
  • The underlying idea’s strength, distinctiveness, originality and dramatic potential 
  • Does the story feel timely or particularly resonant? 
  • Is there clarity about genre and does the script deliver on it?  
• The quality of accompanying document outlining the vision for the project as well as a clear understanding of what the filmmakers intend to address in the next phase of development
  • Is the vision clearly articulated in terms of genre, tone, comparative titles, etc. 
  • The quality of the submitted materials: what work needs to be done on story, structure, character, dialogue, tone, etc. 
  • The appropriateness of the development plan for this stage of development. 
• The potential of the feature to reach its target audience and its viability in terms of likely budget relative to market
  • Demonstration of pathway to audience appropriate to the project’s budget size and financing strategy 
• The significance of the short film/proof of concept to the feature film and the team’s plan for using the short film and proof of concept to advance the feature film
  • Ability to articulate how the short film/proof of concept connects to the feature film in terms of tone, style and genre
  • Packaging strategy around the short film/proof of concept and feature screenplay, including ability to identify appropriate markets, domestic and international to launch project(s).  

• All submitted applications are initially reviewed against the eligibility criteria set out above and the published program guidelines
• Eligibility assessments will be conducted by Screen NSW Investment staff  
• If further information is required to determine the applicant or applications eligibility, a request will be made to the applicant in writing before the eligibility assessment is completed. Where an application’s eligibility on one or more criteria remains uncertain, a final eligibility determination will be made by the Program Lead and presented to the Senior Manager Content Investment for review and endorsement
• If an application is deemed ineligible, applicants will be notified by email within 14 days.  

All eligible applications will be assessed by a combination of two Screen NSW Sector Investment Managers and an industry professional from the film distributor sector, forming a panel.   

• If an application is eligible, the application will be evaluated by the Panel against the selection criteria outlined above, which includes the track record of the applicant and team, and the extent to which the project furthers the objectives of the program
• During the Assessment panel meetings, panel members will reach a consensus as to the projects and teams that will be shortlisted and those that will not progress
• Shortlisted applicants will be notified of progressing to Stage 2 and will be notified on Monday October 13 and must provide Stage 2 materials by Friday 24 October
• Unsuccessful Stage 1 applicants will be notified by email within 14 days.  

• Stage 2 applications will be assessed individually by the panel against the selection criteria outlined above, which includes the appropriateness and viability of the budget and finance plan for the short film/proof of concept and quality of the feature screenplay
• Creative Meetings will be held with all Stage 2 applications, likely to be held from November 17 to 21, with meetings running for 1 hour and preferably being in person at the office (80 George Street) but with an online option provided attended by the panel
• Following Creative Meetings and individual assessments, the panel will be joined by Senior Manager Content Investment, to reach a consensus in recommending three teams for funding. Final scores are subject to the applicant satisfactorily meeting any due diligence or other checks below.  

At any time during the assessment process, due diligence or other checks on an application may be carried out. This may include, but is not limited to:  

• financial checks such as ASIC searches to confirm the financial status or financial viability of the applicant  
• criminal checks  
• internal conflict checks 
• inviting applicant to present their application to us and/or our technical review committee  
• commissioning or completing research, analysis and modelling to support assessments 
• contacting identified project participant organisations  
• disclosing information by applicants to us of any material reasonably required by us in respect to the eligibility criteria and merit criteria.  

The assessment panel will agree on final consensus scores for each applicant and each criterion. This will determine a ranking for each of the applications. The highest ranked applications will be recommended to the designated decision maker for the award of a grant. 

The assessment panel will make their recommendations to the decision maker, the Head of Screen NSW. 

Application to be received through the Screen NSW online grants administration system, SmartyGrants, and to include: 

• Online application form 
• A simple talk-to-camera ‘video pitch’ of no more than 3 minutes, where Key Creatives (producer, writer, director, writer/director) talk about the story concept, creative vision and platform for their narrative short/proof of concept and how it connects to the feature film project in terms of creative voice, genre, tone, stylistic approach and the intended audience as well as the teams’ career goals and plans and how they anticipate these projects will contribute to achieving these. Screen NSW supports engagement from practitioners with a disability so please contact us for a confidential discussion of your access needs at [email protected] 
• A link to demonstrate the best example of the director’s previous work that demonstrates the director’s narrative voice. Please do not submit montages or showreels that only show fragments of work
• A one-page summary of the team’s career plan describing where you are, where you want to be professionally and creatively and how you are planning and thinking strategically about getting there 
• A script for the narrative short film/proof of concept of no more than 15 pages 
• If the application is for completion funds, a downloadable, password protected link to the rough-cut of the project 
• One page synopsis of the feature film 
• Bios/CVs for the creative team and any crew or cast members proposed or confirmed. 

If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to submit a further application via the Screen NSW online grants administration system, SmartyGrants, within 2 weeks of the selection notification, which must include: 

• Up to 3 pages or 3 minutes of anything you feel will help us understand the creative vision (tone, theme, style, audience experience) for the short/proof of concept and feature film more clearly, including articulating how the short film/proof of concept connects to the feature film and articulating the packaging strategy around the short film/proof of concept and feature screenplay, including identifying appropriate markets, domestic and international, to advance discussions.  

 Short film/proof of concept production materials: 

• A finance plan for the short film and if attached, evidence that additional funding from investors, crowd funding, sponsorship, etc. is in place
• A draft A-Z budget. Post-production and insurance quotes must also be supplied to support the budget. Please see the FAQ for further information on required insurances and refer to our Terms of Trade
• All Chain of Title documents. 

 Long-form development materials: 

• Screenplay. Must consist of a minimum of 75 pages presented in an industry standard script format. The script must be at least 2nd draft stage but have not yet reached final draft stage
• A two-page development plan for the feature film that identifies the potential as well as the challenges and the strategies to address them in the next phase of development
• A one-page pathways to audience plan. Projects must be able to demonstrate who the audience is and how the project will reach its audience, including the kind of market partners for whom you are developing the feature for, specifically naming distributors where relevant. 

Please read these guidelines alongside the Screen NSW Terms of Trade which outline general eligibility requirements.

Successful teams will have a briefing and liaise with a Screen Investment Manager and the allocated Executive Producer, appointed by Screen NSW. At this point, we will discuss Screen NSW requirements, provide feedback, and go over any questions you may have. 

You will need to finalise and execute the Screen NSW grant agreement within 4 weeks from the date of the briefing, unless otherwise agreed in writing. If this does not occur, the decision to financially support the project may lapse. 

Obligations to Screen NSW will include the following: 

• Screen NSW will contract only with the Applicant
• Projects must be completed in accordance with the terms of the Screen NSW agreement 
• The Applicant will need to enter into a service agreement with each member of the key creative team and enter into any other relevant agreements required in order for the applicant to own or control the rights in the project 
• Screen NSW will need to approve these agreements noted above prior to issuing its grant agreement to the Applicant 
• Grant funds cannot be drawn down until a grant agreement with Screen NSW has been executed and specific conditions met. 

Any variations to the funding grant agreement, including project scope or activities, location or timeframes outlined in the application form and Grant Guidelines must be submitted in writing for approval from Screen NSW. Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of the grant offer. 

Screen NSW has the discretion to approve or reject any written variation request from a grantee where the funding grant agreement has already been executed. 

To submit a variation request, or if you are unsure if your enquiry qualifies as a variation, please contact the Screen Investment Team via email at [email protected]. 

After delivering the initiative and before the end of the funding period, successful applicants must provide a final acquittal report detailing the outcomes of the initiative. Specific acquittal materials will be identified in the funding grant agreement between Screen NSW and the successful applicant, but will typically include: 

• Final copy of the short film/proof of concept 
• Production images 
• Caption list 
• Trailer and/or excepts 
• Behind the Scenes video footage 
• Electronic Press Kit/Media kit 
• Final Cost Report 
• Shoot Locations 
• Executive Producer feedback 
• NSW Production Report, including shoot details, employee details and engagement with any NSW Government key priority areas, budget details and production schedule 
• Statutory Declaration  

All acquittal materials and final reports must be submitted via SmartyGrants. 

Failure to comply with any acquittal and reporting requirements may impact an organisation’s future ability to apply for and receive Screen NSW funding. 

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 

You must use an A-Z budget template for the short film whether it’s Screen Australia’s Hot Shots A-Z template or industry standard A-Z budget template.

Yes, you can. If shortlisted for stage 2, we will require a finance plan, budget and all sources of any additional finance at that time. 

Where there is First Nations or cultural content that is not reflected by the key creatives then you will need to provide a statement setting out the consultation and participation process you have undertaken with regard to this First Nations and cultural content.

You must also demonstrate that you have a consultation and collaboration plan covering the full production process and are following it and that the communities and people being represented in the story have provided signed letters of consent confirming their willingness to participate. For First Nations content, please refer to the Pathways & Protocols: a filmmaker’s guide to working with Indigenous people, culture and concepts. And please note that we encourage collaboration, not only consultation.

Yes, you can apply, provided you have acquitted previous Screen NSW funding and meet all the eligibility requirements for the initiative.   

Short film/ proof of concept production

Funding is in the form of a grant.

Feature film development

Funding is in the form of an investment. Please refer to the agency’s Terms of Trade and ‘Repayment of development funds’ section. 

Successful recipients may apply for additional development funding after they deliver on this tranche of long-form development funds, however, the application will be competitively assessed against the criteria published in the development guidelines. Acceptance into some of the top-tier international film festivals may require festival travel funding and applications will be competitively assessed against the criteria published in the International Travel Fund guidelines.

It is a condition precedent to Screen NSW paying the second instalment of the Grant for the short film/ proof of concept that you have delivered to us copies of all receipts for the payment of all the Insurance premiums and copies of all cover notes and policies. 

You will need to take out, within fourteen (14) days of payment of the first instalment, and before commencement of principal photography, the following insurances: 

Public liability insurance for the insured sum of at least $20, 000, 000 per occurrence  

Any insurance (in addition to workers compensation insurance required by clause 4.3) if necessary, to ensure that all persons involved in the production of the Film, including volunteers, are adequately covered for personal accident and injury ("Insurance"). 

You shall take out workers compensation insurance as required by law until the completion of the Film, to the full insurable value of the risk. 

Screen NSW requires copies of all insurance documentation as a condition to its second drawdown. 

Yes. Depending on what and where you are filming, in conjunction with the Executive Producer, Screen NSW could require you to produce a safety report at least two weeks before commencement of principal photography by a licenced safety officer, which has been previously approved by Screen NSW. MEAA and Who Dares can supply you with approved contacts.

Screen NSW requires copies of all safety reports as a condition to its second drawdown. All incidents must be recorded and supplied.

Short film/ proof of concept production

Please factor into your production schedule the following four drawdowns for Screen NSW: 60% upon execution, 25% on start of principal photography, 10% on approval of fine cut, and the final 5% on delivery.

Feature film development

Please factor in the following two drawdowns for Screen NSW: 80% on execution of the agreement; and 20% on delivery of the delivery materials.

Screen NSW expects all recipients to act fairly and reasonably in relation to third parties involved in the funded project. Fairness and reasonableness include: paying at least award minimum rates or, where applicable, any minimum agreed between the relevant guilds, for all work performed by third parties on their project, including Key Creatives, cast and crew; respecting the rights of all relevant persons, whether those rights be copyright or other intellectual property rights, moral rights or Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property rights. 

If deferrals of crew and cast award rates or agreed rates (above award) are to be negotiated, the producer is responsible for ensuring this is undertaken in a fair, reasonable and legal manner. 

Producers should factor in any additional rights with cast outside of Festival screenings as required. 

Generally, GST is payable on top of Screen NSW funding. You will need to have an Australian Business Number (ABN), and to register for GST if required by law. Where GST is payable, Screen NSW will require the applicant to issue a Tax Invoice as a precondition to drawdown of the Screen NSW funds. 

You could access Screen NSW image location database. Showcasing locations in Sydney and regional areas of NSW the searchable database highlights a diverse range of geographical locations from tropical jungle, alpine to outback as well as architectural styles, towns, urban environments, and buildings.

You can request further information about the locations via the website or if you have any specific questions about finding a location in NSW you can reach out to our Screen Destination Attraction team.

An ‘eligible fiction credit’ under this program is a short fiction film that has been selected to screen at one of the following film festivals: 

• Annecy International Animation Festival, France 
• Aspen Shortsfest, USA  
• Berlin International Film Festival, Germany 
• BFI London Film Festival, UK 
• Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, South Korea 
• Busan International Film Festival, South Korea 
• Cannes Film Festival (excluding Shorts Corner), France 
• Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, France
• Edinburgh International Film Festival, UK 
• Fantasia International Film Festival, Montreal 
• Fantastic Fest (Austin,TX) 
• Hong Kong International Film Festival, Hong Kong 
• Inside Out Film Festival, Canada 
• International Film Festival Rotterdam 
• Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 
• Locarno Film Festival, Switzerland 
• Melbourne International Film Festival 
• Ottawa Animation Festival 
• Palm Springs International ShortFest 
• San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival / Frameline 
• San Sebastian International Film Festival, Spain 
• Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival, Spain 
• South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival, Austin, Sydney and London  
• Sundance Film Festival, USA 
• Stuttgart Festival of Animation 
• Sydney Film Festival 
• Telluride Film Festival, USA 
• Toronto International Film Festival, Canada  
• Tribeca Film Festival, USA 
• Venice International Film Festival, Italy 

OR, won or been nominated for one of the following awards: 

• Academy Award® for Best Short Film (Live Action or Animated) 
• AACTA/AFI Award for Best Short Fiction Film or Best Animation 

OR, won one of the following awards: 

• Flickerfest Best Short Film or Best Animation 
• St Kilda Film Festival Best Short Film or Animation. 

A credit as a producer on a feature film is also considered an eligible fiction credit.

The feature film script does not have to be the same story or a long version of the short film but should be connected, for example, by creative voice, genre, tone or stylistic approach. Focusing on a scene from the feature script, would be accepted.  

Unfortunately, no. The intention of the initiative is to accelerate the project towards financing and production, and the script must, at a minimum, be at second draft stage. 

Shortlisted applicants will be notified by a member of the Screen NSW team and provided with a two-week timeline to submit second stage materials. Please familiarise yourself with second stage material requirements in advance.  

The intention is to pair the successful teams with leading NSW -based producers that will provide guidance and mentorship across both the short production and further development of the feature screenplay and provide broader market and industry guidance. For the recipients in 2024, Screen NSW attached Kath Shelper, Kristian Moliere, Kristina Ceyton and Marian Macgowan to the projects as EPs. 

What if one member of the Key Creative team (producer, director or writer) is not a NSW based creative? Can I still apply?

The applicant producer, writer and director must be NSW-based. Under the guidelines, the only exception that will be made is where one member of the producing team, who is not the applicant, is from another state.  

Will Screen NSW make any exceptions for teams and projects that don’t satisfy the eligibility requirements? Will you consider other film festivals not listed under ‘what makes an eligible fiction credit’?

We are not able to consider other significant credits for the role of director and producer besides those outlined in the guidelines. You must be able to provide evidence to reflect the appropriate eligibility criteria. 

I have significant credits in a different format to the project I am applying for in the role of director. The other Key Creatives in my team have eligible credits as stated in the guidelines. Am I still able to apply?

For the director, we will consider a high-level of critical acclaim in related fields. In submitting an application, the responsibility is on the team to demonstrate how they satisfy the eligibility requirements, including confirming the eligible fiction credit and relevant festival a project has screened at, previous agency funding or high level of critical acclaim.  

I am a creative attached to two separate projects. Am I able to be attached to both applications?

Yes, you can be attached to more than one project but please keep in mind this is a competitive process, and we recommend submitting your strongest application.