Industry update: new Screen NSW funding guidelines

As of 17 September 2024

New Screen NSW funding guidelines in place since 14 August 2024

Screen NSW has recently updated its funding guidelines in line with its 10-year Creative Communities policy, supporting and improving the NSW screen sector by implementing the following key changes:

Production Grant Agreements

Screen NSW previously invested in screen productions through Production Investment Agreements (PIAs). PIAs came with the expectation that production companies would provide a profit return to Screen NSW and required careful negotiation, resulting in extensive administrative and legal resources being expended by screen practitioners. Now Screen NSW will be abolishing PIAs and directly funding productions through Production Grant Agreements (PGAs), with payment timeframes now reduced from 30 to just 14 days. PGAs are more straightforward for producers to navigate and the shorter payment timeframe may provide some relief for producer cashflow.

Production Finance Guidelines

In addition to funding being provided directly as grants, funding amounts have now been updated – projects can now receive up to $850,000 in funding. The cap for funding documentary and factual series has also been increased to 10% of Qualifying NSW Production Expenditure (QNSWPE).

Made in NSW – TV Drama Fund

Screen NSW has created the new Made in NSW – TV Drama Fund to support high-end feature film and television drama productions, including children’s content. Projects must be produced by Australian production companies and may be ‘footloose’, meaning that they do not need to be locked into NSW production at the time of application. The total budget must be between AU$5-18 million and producers can apply for up to 10% of their QNSWPE, subject to an AU$1 million cap. There will be 5 competitive funding rounds each financial year.

International Travel Fund

NSW screen practitioners can now receive up to AU$5,000 for a Key Creative to travel to significant international festivals, markets, awards, industry trade missions and financing projects.

Updated Development Program guidelines

Screen NSW has also recently updated its guidelines for its Development Program. Grants of up to AU$50,000 may be made to successful applicants, with priority given to fully NSW-resident teams and projects that intend to shoot and/or post-produce fully in NSW. These development grants are available to fiction, unscripted and online projects.

How do I find out more?

The new Production Finance Guidelines and application page can be found here.

Information about the new TV Drama Fund can be found here.

Applications for the International Travel Fund can be made here.

The new Development Program guidelines and application page can be found here.

At Digby Law, we’re here to help you with your film and television law matters. If you have any queries or concerns about these changes, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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