BTS on Mitch Stanley’s ‘Transblack’. Stanley will EP all GEFF projects.
Create NSW and SBS will fund up to six short films from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmaking talent for this year’s Generator: Emerging Filmmaker Fund.
Each team will receive a $15,000 production grant from Create NSW and a $15,000 licence fee from SBS. No Coincidence Media’s Mitch Stanley (Transblack, Colour Theory Underground, Servant or Slave) will serve as EP on each project. Any additional finance required will need to be raised by producers.
The call out is for short film proposals of up to 15 minutes duration with wide audience appeal, though priority will be given to applications which explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander themes and content. Proposals may include drama, factual/documentary, animation or experimental projects for SBS On Demand.
At least one, and preferably two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must hold a key creative role (writer, producer or director) with at least one key creative based in NSW.
The initiative is part of Create NSW and SBS’s commitment to promoting greater diversity in the screen industry. Last year’s fund had a LGBTIQ focus to tie in with the 40th anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and the previous year under Screen NSW a focus on female directors and those underrepresented in the screen industry (though SBS was not a partner that year).
Executive director for Create Investment and Engagement Elizabeth W. Scott said: “The Australian screen industry recently celebrated 25 years of Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department, which has supported some incredible talent including Warwick Thornton, Rachel Perkins and Leah Purcell to name but a few.
“We’re committed to continuing this celebration and creating opportunities for the new filmmaking talent set to make an impact over the years to come. With great support from SBS we are delighted to launch the second year of our partnership as we collaborate to foster greater diversity in the Australian screen landscape.”
Stanley said: “Create NSW has a long history of supporting Indigenous filmmakers and I’m honoured and excited to be working with them and our next generation of Indigenous filmmakers who will continue to tell our stories as we’ve been doing for over 60,000 years. As a previous recipient of Create NSW’s support throughout my career, I recognise the value and contribution that the GEFF initiative has for an emerging filmmaker and look forward to discovering our new talent.”
SBS director of TV and online content Marshall Heald said: “Australia’s diverse communities are its greatest strength and should be represented in the stories we tell and the talent that we foster at all levels of production. This initiative will draw on the expertise of NITV – Australia’s home of indigenous storytelling as we continue to work with Create NSW to support diversity within the state’s screen sector.”
Production and post production for all projects must take place entirely in NSW and projects are expected to be production-ready at the time of application.
Projects should be capable of being delivered no later Friday 31 May 2019, with principal photography commencing no later than mid-February 2019.
Applications close December 2. For more info and to apply: http://screen.nsw.gov.au/funding/production-support/generator-emerging-filmmakers-fund