Call for Applications: Online Production Grants (Australia)

Grants will be offered in two competitive rounds per year and are open to Queensland creators from all experience levels, across a broad range of genres, including scripted and factual content, with creators retaining full ownership of their Intellectual Property (IP).

Funding Information

• Applicants can apply for grants of up to $100,000, however, applications asking for over $80,000 must demonstrate a minimum of 25% of that ask in secured co-funding.
• Applicants should consider the following:
  • Budgets should consider the chosen platform, experience of the team and length of series.
  • Projects are expected to cost between $1000-3000 per minute.
  • Series are expected to run for approximately 20 to 30 minutes (total content).
  • If crowdfunding is sought as additional funding, they recommend using ACF (Australian Cultural Fund).
  • Co-funding for projects applying for $80,000+ must be secured at the point of application, at a minimum of 25% of the Screen Queensland ask, with confirmation of co-funding provided to Screen Queensland.
  • For productions where IP is owned by interstate producer working with Queensland key creatives, Screen Queensland funding will be capped at $50,000, with the expectation that co-funding is secured at the time of application.

What they’re looking for?

• Online Production Grants are for online series spanning any and all genres, including both scripted and factual content, and are open to applicants of all experience levels.

Eligible Projects

• Episodic series created for YouTube, Facebook, TikTok or Instagram Reels.
• One-off XR projects intended for public access on a screen-based device.

Ineligible Projects

• Short films (excluding single episode XR projects)
• Reality
• Branded content
• Light/lifestyle entertainment including panel and variety shows
• Primarily educational or internal training content
• Digital or online extensions to an existing film or TV program

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible, applicants must:
  • Be a key creative team (writer, director and/or producer) of minimum 50% Queensland residents; or a Queensland-resident solo creative practitioner.
  • Demonstrate that you are the IP creator and owner of the story.
    • If IP is owned by an interstate producer/creative, the application will only be considered eligible by demonstrating extraordinary benefits to Queensland by escalating above-the-line Queensland resident talent.
  • Tell an original story developed for online spaces.
  • Demonstrate that one member of the key creative team has experience producing online content.
  • Only submit one application per round.
  • Have not already received an Online Production Grant from Screen Queensland in the same financial year.

Assessment Criteria

• Applications will be assessed on the following:
  • Creative strength.
    • Originality and distinctiveness of concept.
    • Quality of scripts, project bible, proof of concept or pilot (if available).
    • Strength of pitch video.
  • Marketing and release strategy
    • Understanding of target audience and viewing habits.
    • Suitability of chosen release platform(s).
    • Effectiveness of marketing plan to attract and build audience.
    • Measurable targets for success and plans to achieve them.
  • Team
    • Relevant experience and track record of key creative team.
    • Inclusion of at least one team member with online content production/release experience.
    • Potential for projects to contribute to the team’s career progression.
  • Budget and financial plan
    • Appropriateness of budget for project and release platform(s).
    • Viability of finance plan, including additional funding sources.
    • The projected Queensland production expenditure (QPE).
    • Compliance with award minimum rates for all work performed by third parties on their project, as per the Screen Queensland Terms of Trade.
    • Where applicable, any minimum agreed between the relevant guilds is acceptable.
    • Screen Queensland will consider projects where key crew (including key creatives) have chosen to waive or reinvest their fees, provided this is contractually documented.
    • Productions require Workers Compensation Insurance and Public Liability Insurance which should be accounted for in budget.
  • Diversity and inclusion
    • Representation of diverse voices and perspective in proposed content and or key creative team.
    • Potential for project to contribute to diversity and inclusion in the Queensland screen industry.
  • Other factors
    • The committee may also consider the overall diversity and range of projects supported through the program to date.

Application Requirement

• A completed application form.
• A pitch document or project bible that outlines the creative elements of the project.
• A complete set of scripts for the proposed project.
  • Scripts should include date and draft number and be formatted to industry standard.
  • Provide each episode as a separate document.
  • Draft scripts are acceptable.
• One member of the key creative team needs to provide an example of previous work, proof of concept pilots are accepted and encouraged.
• A marketing and release plan of no fewer than three pages and no more than ten pages.
  • The plan should thoroughly outline the intended audience and their viewing habits, the intended release platform and strategy to attract an audience.
  • A digital strategist or a marketing agency is not essential, but if applicants intend to engage one, they should be attached at the time of applying.
• A business impact and measurements of success document of no more than two pages.
  • Indicate how success will be measurable on your specific project, and how you will achieve these targets.
• Chain of Title documents.
  • All Chain of Title documents, including all rights and development agreements (e.g. option agreements, extensions of option agreements, writer’s agreements, quitclaim deeds and co-development agreements).
  • All chain of title documents should be signed and dated.
• An A-Z budget to completion and release of the series using the relevant standard Screen Australia budget template, including a column for Queensland production expenditure (QPE).
• A finance plan using the standard Screen Australia excel template, indicating that dates of confirmation of federal funding if relevant.
• A downloadable video pitch of no more than three minutes that introduces the key creative team, gives an engaging overview of the central concept and intended audience and provides a strong sense of the creative vision and passion behind the project.
• Separate CVs for each of the key creatives.

For more information, visit Screen Queensland.