Screen Queensland has announced changes to its funding guidelines, in response to industry consultation, which will take effect from 1 July 2024.
Adjustments have been made to the state agency's guidelines across its local industry funding programs including Development and Screen Finance to drive increased Queensland-owned production and support the sector's local screen creators.
Jacqui Feeney, Screen Queensland CEO said that the guidelines updates focus on three key strategic directions that reflect the agency's commitment to supporting more long-term career paths for local practitioners and funding more screen stories that showcase Queensland's unique cultural identity.
"We have consulted widely across the sector with a view to better reflecting changes in the industry and doing what we can to drive local sector growth and build jobs, skills and sustainable businesses.
"We are committed to creating more opportunities for our state's screen practitioners and production companies, championing local IP retention and assisting more homegrown stories to be made here in Queensland, including ways to better elevate and recognise First Nations practitioners.
"It's also vital that we concurrently ensure Queensland continues to be an attractive and competitive destination for local, interstate and international screen production."
Supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland, the state has established a solid global reputation as a screen production hub.
"As the level of production in the state continues to grow, we are becoming more ambitious for Queensland-our agency is focused on ensuring that a larger industry creates more opportunities for local practitioners and local screen stories to shine," Ms Feeney said.
"The abundance of talent in Queensland is immense, and our mission at Screen Queensland is to facilitate accessible opportunities, foster connections and empower local production companies and practitioners to reach their full potential," Ms Feeney said.
Updates to Screen Queensland's guidelines include:
Development Fund - now offered as grants rather than equity investment
- increased cap for early-stage projects from Queensland-resident practitioners from $10,000 to $15,000
- increased cap on late-stage funding for Queensland-resident and interstate producers from $25,000 to $30,000
- new development slate funding of up to $50,000 for Queensland-resident producers with a minimum of three projects
- funding cap is $100,000 across all Development grants per year.
Screen Finance Fund - increased QPE percentage on offer
- base funding for projects from Queensland-resident producers is increased from 10 per cent of Queensland Production Expenditure (QPE) to 12 per cent
- projects from interstate producers remain eligible for support, with the same minimum requirements of a Queensland-resident writer, director or producer and a line producer to receive base funding of 10 per cent of QPE
- both Queensland-resident and interstate producers may be able to access additional funding (capped at 15 and 12 per cent QPE respectively) by demonstrating extra tangible benefits to Queensland, such as First Nations content, opportunities for above-the-line talent and showcasing Queensland as Queensland on screen etc
- funding cap remains at $850,000 per project.
Market and Travel Grants - new support for professional development travel
- In early 2024, the Market Grants program was expanded to include new support for Queensland-based practitioners travelling for professional development as well as business development opportunities.
The guidelines review was informed by feedback from independent consultation with established screen practitioners and industry bodies from local, national and international perspectives through surveys and direct discussions, along with reviews of published materials from other screen bodies and agencies.
Further changes designed to streamline the agency's incentive programs, including Production Attraction Strategy (PAS) and Post Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) Incentives, will be announced soon.
