To support Queensland practitioners to create high quality screen projects with audience appeal that clearly identify their target markets, that are commercially focused, and that enhance their professional development.  To support Queensland business growth through increased production and partnership opportunities.

How to apply 

What will we support?

Australian projects in all formats excluding short films (short films are supported by other Screen Queensland activities).  Development support is aimed at driving projects to market-ready stage and will be recognised as operating at two stages, each with different and clearly defined activities – early stage and late stage.   Initial support will be provided at minimum full treatment stage (approx.30 pages).  Each application requires a development plan for that stage and Screen Queensland will work to assist applicants during these stages to implement their plans.  Screen Queensland may also work with applicants to formulate their development plans prior to any recommendation for funding, although such consultation is not a guarantee of funding.

Early stage includes: writing drafts of the script, working with a script editor and/or director, workshops, etc., to take a project to a market-ready state. Generally, a maximum of two drafts and a polish may be funded per stage.  In the case of television projects (whether drama or factual) or digital projects the application should contain demonstrated expressions of interest from the marketplace, and early stage in this instance includes, for example, working up a detailed treatment or proof of concept (or sometimes a sizzle reel) for which there is already initial marketplace interest for the purposes of securing an LOI or commission from a broadcaster.  Screen Queensland does not invest in concept creation other than in relation to television projects (see below).  Applicants seeking early stage support for development of feature documentaries should discuss the treatment with Screen Queensland.

Late stage includes: pitching, further drafts of the script, travel, marketing materials, finance plan, casting, budgeting, scheduling, etc. In the case of television (whether drama or factual), there must be a broadcaster attached or a cash contribution for this stage of development from a distributor or sales agent.  Screen Queensland will consider applications for matching the investment of a significant marketplace investor.

The Writer’s Room is included within this programme (see separate description).

The Professional Attachments programme is included within this programme (see separate description).

Who may apply?

Queensland based practitioners; interstate practitioners engaging Queensland writers.

Early stage applications need not have a producer attached, although it is encouraged.

Late stage applications will only be considered where there is a producer attached.

Writers without a production credit will only be funded for one project and will be expected to demonstrate their capacity to attach a producer and/or marketplace interest to their project before any additional projects are funded.

Writers may apply to the Writer’s Room programme without a producer attached.

How will we select projects?

Strong emphasis will be placed on quality, judged by external assessors and Screen Queensland experienced personnel.  The following criteria will be taken into account:

• the strength and originality of the concept;
• the quality of the project with regard to structure, characterisation and dialogue;
• the quality of the writing and the team’s understanding of the script’s strengths and weaknesses;
• the quality of the script notes in demonstrating the team’s understanding of the script and plans for its improvement;
• the specific development needs of the project;
• the amount of Screen Queensland’s investment as a percentage of the overall development budget;
• the total development budget as a percentage of the anticipated total production budget;
• the genre of the project and its likely reception in the marketplace;
• the marketing and distribution strategy;
• the creative team and its demonstrated ability to achieve a market-ready project and/or marketplace attachments;
• the potential for the work to reach an audience, and the team’s understanding of that audience;
• the potential for the work to be commercialised;
• the one pager and other marketing collateral being created for the project (how the project is being pitched into the marketplace);
• the intended Queensland elements of the project;
• the extent to which the application fits with the objectives and strategies of Screen Queensland in supporting the Queensland industry.

Unsuccessful applicants will be given constructive objective feedback where projects are judged to have potential to assist the overall development of those practitioners and projects and for ongoing engagement with practitioners.

How much will be provided and in what form?

Screen Queensland publishes a rate card as a guide for fees for development activity, with the amount to be provided determined on a case by case basis and paid in stages.  Funding for travel generally should be included in the application and will be required to fund travel related to the project before any other travel or marketing application may be made in relation to that project.  Each successful application by Queensland-based producers attracts additional support for the operations of their business related to that project and repayable only from that project when it is produced. This may take the form of a contribution to the producer’s overhead set by Screen Queensland with discretion to vary according to a project’s merit and budget.  Generally, this is expected to be 10% of the amount funded or $1,000, whichever is the greater.

In the case of television projects (whether drama or factual) or digital projects, where there is an expression of interest but not yet any development investment, Screen Queensland may consider an application for up to $10,000 for the creation of pitch documents.  Generally, this will be provided for the creation of series projects rather than one-off projects.

Projects already in receipt of any Screen Queensland (or Pacific Film and Television Commission) development investment are only eligible to apply for late stage funding.

Where a project has been rejected twice it will only be assessed for a third application under exceptional circumstances.

Where a Queensland writer is working with an interstate producer certain aspects of development will not be funded (eg. additional business support, producer’s overhead, producer’s travel).

Screen Queensland will co-fund with other agencies but will not fund the same elements of any project.

Screen Queensland will only fund Queensland practitioners to travel.

Screen Queensland will not fund 100% of the development of any project.

Generally Screen Queensland would seek to co-finance for late stage development with a co-financier (eg broadcasters, another screen agency, distributor, etc.).

Visit 'The Vault’ for more information including the application form.