The Dungog Film Festival's In The Raw script development program has been awarded $45,000 in one-off funding by the federal government.
The script development program, which was established in 2007 as part of the regional festival, has grown to become a bi-monthly event at the Sydney Theatre. It attracts high profile actors, such as Susie Porter, Tony Martin and Rachael Blake, who present live script readings of screenplays heading into production.
The annual Dungog Film Festival did not receive any of the $2.3 million in Screen Australia festival funding announced last December. However, the event has been supported by the NSW government and NSW Events, as well as a wide range of sponsors including NSW Mining.
Arts Minister Simon Crean said In The Raw is a highly-regarded program which gives screenwriters a chance to road test their work on audiences and industry, leading to better quality screen content.
"The one-off funding I am announcing today will enable festival organisers to cement In The Raw in its new bi-monthly format increasing visibility to more existing screenplays that display significant market potential,” he said in a statement.
“The Australian government is committed to ensuring the ongoing viability of the Australian screen production industry. Supporting initiatives such as In The Raw is an important and effective way of demonstrating this commitment. Innovative and effective programs such as In The Raw are exactly the kinds of initiatives I hope the National Cultural Policy will help stimulate."
Two feature film screenplays previously assisted by In the Raw have been completed: 33 Postcards (starring Claudia Karvan and Guy Pearce) and Sleeping Beauty (starring Michael Dorman and Emily Browning).