Narrative Content Short Film Production Funding Program is sponsored by Screen Australia. Narrative Content Short Film Production Funding Program is a grant from Screen Australia that funds Australian short film production intended for theatrical festival distribution.

Narrative Content Short Film Production - Screen Australia Skip to primary navigation Narrative Content Short Film Production The Narrative Content Short Film Production Funding Program supports a team of content makers that must include Director, Writer, Producer and, where applicable, Animator, to make a Narrative Content Short Film intended for theatrical festivals.

The aims of Narrative Content Short Film Production Program are to support: Australian live action or animated Narrative Short Films for a first and primary window of a theatrical festival outcome; talent who are connected to the stories they tell and reflect the breadth of Australia in service of cultural, creative and economic benefits; and talent and stories with viable pathways to festival audiences locally and/or globally.

Important note : The text on this webpage provides a snapshot of the relevant information for this program/initiative. Applicants must read all detailed documentation available for download at the bottom of this page, including the program guidelines , before applying. Key Dates Deadline 5pm AEST Thursday 30 July 2026 Decision & Notification Applicants will be informed of outcome of application approximately 12 weeks from deadline.

Fund Amount $50,000 - $125,000 Category Narrative Content Enquiries Email: shortfilm. narrativecontent@screenaustralia. gov.au Freecall: 1800 507 901 More Information This program has two application rounds per financial year.

Expand all content Available Funding Applicants may apply for any amount up to $100,000 for a live action short. Applicants may apply for any amount up to $125,000 for an animated short, or a short that blends live action and animation.

It is expected that Screen Australia will be the major funder, but projects can also add to their budget via other sources where available, such as private investment, post-production investment, State or Territory agency funding, other funding avenues, provided that the production budget is no greater than $175,000. Screen Australia reserves the right to approve the project’s Finance Plan at the time of application.

The minimum funding amount request is $50,000. Screen Australia may decide to provide a different amount of funding than that applied for based on the assessment of all projects submitted to each funding round. Successful applicants will be assigned an industry director mentor paid and engaged by Screen Australia.

Applicants and projects must meet Screen Australia’s Terms of Trade , any general eligibility or other requirements listed on the agency’s website (see Information for Applicants and Information for Recipients ), as well as the specific eligibility criteria set out in these guidelines. Specific requirements apply to projects which involve First Nations community participation or content.

Specific requirements may apply to projects which involve participation or content with the following communities: d/Deaf, disabled, culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTQIA+, or those from other under-represented groups. This program is open to companies and individuals (either alone or as part of a team of co-applicants including director, writer, producer and where applicable, animator).

To be eligible: an applicant company must be an incorporated company carrying on business in Australia, with its central management and control in Australia. an individual applicant or the team of individual co-applicants must be Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents (holding a permanent visa). have an Australian Business Number (ABN).

control the rights necessary to carry out the project, meaning that they must have clear chain of title and must generally be party to any underlying rights agreements; be registered for the purposes of GST if required by law. Screen Australia will accept applications from individuals (sole traders) applying on behalf of a team consisting of director, writer, producer, and where applicable, animator.

The following types of entities are not eligible to apply to this program: Commonwealth, state, territory or local government agencies or bodies organisations or individuals that are excluded pursuant to the Information for Applicants . For full eligibility information, please refer to the attached guidelines.

Applicants are required to provide information on or upload the following supporting materials with their application form: Draft Script for a live action, animated or live action/animated hybrid project (no longer than 15 pages) Production budget using the Screen Australia A-Z template Project and Production Schedule including Shooting Schedule and Post-Production Schedules, and any other documentation detailing the project’s proposed production methodology or pathway Director and/or Animation Lookbook with vision statement (no longer than 10 pages) Finance Plan , listing all sources of financing for the project (which may include, equity, private investment, grant funding from other sources, sponsorship, post production house investments) Diversity, equity and inclusion plan , where there is participation or content from the following communities: including d/Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTQIA+ or other under-represented groups.

For full details on the application process, including required materials, please refer to the attached guidelines. Applications will be assessed against the following criteria: ​Is the story strong, distinctive and entertaining and does it demonstrate storytelling craft? Does the story contribute to a depth and diversity of Australian stories?

Is the story suited to short film? Is the story production ready? Is there evidence of the talent’s creative potential and/or previous experience and are they positioned to execute the vision at its budget level?

​ Does the project have the potential to leverage and extend the career of the talent and team? Does the talent and team have authentic connection and/or cultural authorship to the content of the story, character and world they are representing? Audience and Budgets (25%) Does the project have the potential to resonate significantly with Australian and/or global audiences?

Will the story have impact for audiences and/or reflect the depth and diversity of people and experiences from around Australia? Can the project be successfully realised for its budget and methodology? Is the director’s vision clear and compelling?

Is the director’s vision realisable?

Other factors may be considered including the: range of projects in receipt of funding from Screen Australia inclusive of a project’s budget, intended audience, genre, themes; range of applicants in receipt of funding from Screen Australia inclusive of applicant, company and geographic diversity; extent to which a project is likely to effectively amplify equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

Narrative Content Short Film Production Guidelines Narrative Content Short Film Production FAQs Screen Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and recognises their continuous connection to culture, community, land, waters and territories. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains images, voices and names of people who have passed.