Short Film Completion Fund

Screen Australia’s Short Film Completion Fund provides finance for distinctive and creatively ambitious short films that show outstanding potential but lack the funds to finish.

Screen Australia is committed to galvanising the connection between short filmmaking and a feature film career. We will favour the completion of shorts that have a clear professional development benefit and stand to showcase talent at local and international film festivals, as well as act as a ‘calling card’ to promote longer-form opportunities for directors, writers and producers.

The Completion Fund will seek to target outstanding talent on a strong trajectory towards making their first professional feature film.

Successful recipients of the Short Film Completion Fund will be expected to deliver their completed short film to Screen Australia within four months of contracting.

Available funding

A maximum of $40,000 is available per project.

Funding is for

• Post-production to completion on non-film formats, of one-off live action short films up to a maximum of 15 minutes, including credits (for animation projects, see Short Animation Production www.screenaustralia.gov.au/animation).
  

Format: Films shot in any format can apply. We acknowledge that many filmmakers have access to crews and equipment that have allowed them to shoot their short film on 16mm or 35mm. However, our funds can only be used for a non-film finish. We encourage digital shorts that focus on screenplay, direction and performance rather than 16mm or 35mm production values.

International Festival Materials (including 35mm blow-ups): Acceptance into some of the top-tier international film festivals may lead to the requirement for additional marketing and screening materials. Applications for such materials can only be accepted under Screen Australia’s Marketing Program, and only then if the guideline conditions are met (see International Festival Materials at www.screenaustralia.gov.au/marketing).

Budget: You must submit an A-Z budget with quotes covering all line items for completion of your film to delivery.

Producers should be aware that Screen Australia has a special arrangement with the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) whereby cast are contracted on the Actors Feature Film Agreement (AFFA) with a reduced buyout of 40 per cent. This means cast must be paid at a minimum of the basic negotiated fee (BNF) with a 40 per cent buyout to cover Australian TV rights at 20 per cent and Australian ancillary rights at 20 per cent. Producers should endeavour to acquire these rights prior to their shoot. Note: Cast and crew payments can be deferred but must be award minimums in accordance with our Terms of Trade. In addition, applicants applying for Short Film Completion Funding will need to supply industry standard agreements for all cast and crew with their application. On a case-by-case basis and where appropriate, Screen Australia may allow producers to include cast costs in their budget for completion funds.

If you are intending to apply for Short Film Completion Funding please familiarise yourself with the program guidelines and Terms of Trade before you commence production. If you have any queries please call Development Administration on 1800 507 901.

Eligibility

• Only teams may apply.
  
  
• Directors with feature or substantial television drama experience are not eligible.
  Only films of 15 minutes and under (including credits) will be accepted, in line with major festival requirements.
  
  
• Applicants must be able to provide a viable budget, post-production plan and strategy to reach delivery
  
  
• Animation projects are not eligible for funding under this program. Short animation projects are funded under Short Animation Production.
  

Applicants must also meet the general eligibility requirements set out in Screen Australia's Terms of Trade.

Funding cannot be retrospective. Screen Australia funds are only for genuine completion and delivery materials.

Projects that are unsuccessful in applying for this program may only reapply if the project and application have been substantially reworked. Two consecutive unsuccessful applications will make the project ineligible for this program.

Assessment process

Applications will be assessed by a combination of Screen Australia executives and industry specialists as required. Screen Australia will advise applicants of the success or otherwise of their application. Where an application is unsuccessful, the reasons will be conveyed to the applicant, with a written statement of reasons provided on request.

Assessment criteria

When assessing applications for this program, Screen Australia uses the following criteria:

• The originality, strength and distinctiveness evident in a cut of the short film.
  
  
• The project’s potential to reach its target audience.
  
  
• The professional development benefits for the key creative team.
  
  
• The skills, experience and successful track record of each of the key principals and their ability to undertake the proposed project, as evidenced in previous work.
  
• The viability of the proposed budget and post-production strategy and, where relevant, the strategy for raising the remaining finance.

Application materials

Applications must be made on the relevant Screen Australia application form, and include all supporting material listed on the checklist on that form.

Terms of funding

Funding is in the form of a grant. Screen Australia will not require a copyright interest.
Screen Australia requires a credit for its support.

Funding recipients must deliver

All delivery items listed in the PIA (Production Investment Agreement), including DVD and Digital Betacam copies of the completed film, plus related paperwork including an expenditure report and press kit in accordance with your Grant Investment Agreement.

[Updated 23 August 2011]