Fresh from world premiering six titles at the Melbourne International Film Festival 2008, the MIFF Premiere Fund today has opened its application process for Round Four with a call for submissions that closes on 29 August 2008.
The MIFF Premiere Fund, which commenced operations in September 2007 with a A$1.6 million grant over two years from the Victorian State Government, provides strategic minority financial supports to a range of local theatrical documentaries and narrative feature films that will have their premieres at MIFF. Victorian State Premier John Brumby and Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings recently announced that the MIFF Premiere Fund would continue for a further two years with a further A$1.6 million grant over two years.
Thus far, the MIFF Premiere Fund has offered co-financing to 12 films, including MIFF 2008 sell-out premieres ROCK N ROLL NERD, NOT QUITE HOLLYWOOD, CELEBRITY: DOMINICK DUNNE and BASTARDY, as well as MIFF 2009 titles BALIBO, BLESSED, BRAN NUE DAE, LOVED ONES and INDONESIA CALLING.
Round Four of the MIFF Premiere Fund seeks applications from projects that can premiere at MIFF 2009, as well as any MIFF 2010 projects that are scheduled to go before a Screen Australia meeting up to and including December 2008. Round Four Premiere Fund decisions will be announced on 31 October 2008.
MIFF Premiere Fund production financing supports can include completion/enhancement loans, mini-gap equity investments and matching marketing/distribution advances. The Fund accepts applications from Victorian producers with market-ready feature documentary and feature drama projects in advanced stages of financing. Submissions must demonstrate that they: have strength of connection to Victoria; can premiere at MIFF; have viable co-financing to enable them to go into production in time for a MIFF premiere; and will benefit in creative, industrial and/or distribution terms from MIFF’s financial backing.
In addition to being offered production co-financing, successful applicants to the MIFF Premiere Fund also receive priority consideration for registration to 37South: Bridging the Gap, MIFF’s film co-financing market that occurs in the opening weekend of MIFF. MIFF Premiere Fund co-financed titles also receive priority for 37South: Breakthrough Screenings, the market’s new screenings strand for invited buyers.
Full MIFF Premiere Fund Round Four guidelines and application forms are available at http://www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au/miff_premiere_fund
[release from Limelight PR]