Screenwest Short Form Production Initiative “Elevate” (Australia)

The initiative is designed to support Western Australia’s most talented emerging filmmakers who are committed to a career in film and television.

Objectives

• The core objectives of this initiative are to:
  • Uncover distinctive WA voices and projects.
  • Support the career progression of WA key creatives.
  • Support the development of a project that acts as a calling card for their next career milestone.

Funding Information

• The Elevate program has two streams:
  • Elevate30 will provide up to 3 filmmaking teams with up to $30,000 each for a project up to 10 minutes in length.
  • Elevate70 will provide up to 3 filmmaking teams up to $70,000 each for a project up to 10 minutes in length.
• Up to $2,000 towards the cost of marketing the completed project and submitting it to festivals.

Eligibility Criteria

• An Applicant that is an individual must:
  • be a Western Australian Resident applying in its own capacity with a registered Australian Business Number (ABN) for tax purposes; and
  • not be an employee of a Broadcaster, commissioning platform or a company owned or controlled by a Broadcaster or commissioning platform; and
  • not be a present employee of Screenwest
• The team:
  • Must be a WA resident filmmaking team (producer, writer, director).
  • Screenwest may consider an application from a team with a non-WA resident writer, however preference will be given to teams where all members are WA residents.
  • Must have a separate producer and director attached to the project. Submissions with producer/director applicants are not eligible.
  • The director and producer must each have at least one short film or equivalent project credit.
  • Director must not have a theatrically released feature film credit or equivalent. Directors can only be attached to one successful Elevate project per funding round.
  • Directors of previous Elevate projects must demonstrate a compelling case as to why making a new Elevate project is an essential step in progressing their career.
• The Project:
  • Must be production ready and able to be completed within a 12-month timeframe.
  • All (100%) production and post-production must occur in Western Australia.
  • Be submitted as either an Elevate30 or Elevate70 project, not both.

Assessment Criteria 

• Eligible applications will be assessed against the following criteria:
  • The originality, strength and distinctiveness of the script.
  • Evidence of a distinctive directorial voice and compelling storytelling style in the Director’s Statement and in the samples of the Director’s previous work.
  • Strategy for how the project will elevate the key creative team careers.
  • Quality and rigor of the supporting application materials, including consideration of the audience.
  • The skills, relevant experience and track record of each of the key creative team.
  • The viability of the budget, schedule and production methodology is reflective of the script requirements.

For more information, visit Screenwest.