marketing funds
Innovative Distribution

Funding opportunity for distributors

The Innovative Distribution program recognises that new models are allowing access to expanding markets and there is a need to support a variety of low-budget and/or digitally produced screen content that does not fit into a traditional distribution and exhibition paradigm.

This program offers the opportunity to enhance marketing, promotion and advertising activity for a wide variety of Australian content including low-budget feature films, documentaries, short films or content made for online and mobile platform delivery. The aim is to increase audiences and revenue and is in line with Screen Australia's objectives.

Introduced in 2010/11, Screen Australia is offering the opportunity for one distribution company to access funding of up to $200,000 to be expended within a two-year period.

How will it work?

To be eligible, applicants must be proven distributors. The exploration of new emerging delivery platforms must be evident in the application.

Applicants are invited to construct a strategy to distribute a slate of titles. In doing so they should ensure that acceptable commissions are in place, so that distributors and producers can share in returns and are motivated to jointly drive the commercial performance of each title.

It is expected that the successful applicant will consult with Screen Australia on their process and decision making.

The successful applicant must deliver two distribution workshops during the term of the agreement. They should provide filmmakers with knowledge of the opportunities the distributor has to offer and information about the changing consumer landscape. These workshops may be presented in collaboration with other industry conferences or events.

The Innovative Distribution relationship will operate over a two-year period beginning approximately 1 December 2011. Mid-term reports will trigger second-year funding. Thereafter it is expected that the activities will continue without further Screen Australia assistance, as part of the federal agency's remit for building sustainable businesses.

Eligibility

To be eligible, companies must:

• Have experience in the innovative distribution sector in Australia
• Demonstrate a proven interest and the means to contribute to exploring online and mobile environments as a means of delivering Australian content
• Be an Australian owned, controlled and registered company
• Be able to deliver a fair, transparent and equitable assessment process when considering titles for local acquisition
• Demonstrate that their proposal is consistent with the aims of the Innovative Distribution program
• Meet the General Eligibility requirements set out in Screen Australia's Terms of Trade.

Applications which do not incorporate ancillary and developing delivery platform activity will not be considered.

Applications do not need to include individual titles. However, if there are acquired titles which lend themselves to this concept, they may be cited as case studies.

Assessment process

Applications will be assessed by a panel including at least one Screen Australia staff member. Industry specialists and peers may be used.

We will advise applicants of the success or otherwise of their application, providing a brief statement of reasons.

A face-to-face meeting between the applicant and an assessment panellist may be required as part of the assessment process.

Assessment criteria

When assessing the applications we will take into account:

• The quality and the viability of the business plan to be implemented by the distributor including evidence of knowledge/understanding of new and emerging content delivery platforms
• The current marketplace standing of the applicant
• The potential of the activity to connect with the target audience
• The skills and experience of the applicant, and their capacity to undertake the project including any external partners or service providers brought on to deliver the activity
• The level of Screen Australia finance they are seeking, and the level of funds being committed to the venture by the applicant
  
• The potential of the strategy to provide ongoing benefits to the industry
  
• The proposed commission structure for the sharing of revenues between the distributor and producers.

Terms of funding

Innovative Distribution program funding is in the form of a grant, but the successful applicant will be required to provide a written report detailing the expenditure and outcomes of the activity.

Successful applicants will be ineligible to apply for a second round of support after the initial two-year period.

[Page updated 19 August 2011]