Screen Queensland is increasing the cap on production investments from $650,000 to $750,000 plus a $100,000 “top up grant” for eligible long-form and large scale productions.
As part of a package of revised funding structures, programs and incentives introduced on July 1, the agency is raising the production grant ceiling from $50,000 to $100,000 for all projects budgeted up to $1 million.
For productions budgeted above $1 million, the ceiling goes up to $200,000 on a discretionary basis.
A new innovation fund will support inventive ways of telling stories and reaching audiences outside the current mould. A one-off grant of up to $10,000 is available for conceptual and early stage development of projects. In the absence of market interest, SQ will focus on the strength of the audience, marketing and finance plans. Teams must include a director, writer and producer.
These changes are aimed at increasing production in Queensland and to capitalise on new opportunities for the ways that screen content is made and distributed.
The terms of trade have been updated, generally aligned with Screen Australia’s, covering such areas as reversion of right to producers after five years, terms of funding, development funding and Indigenous content.
Unlike some other agencies, SQ does not charge application fees for applications for development or production funding and it will not take a sequel, spin off or remake fee from projects from the same producer. .
It's also introduced an online funding application system designed to make the process easier and more streamlined. That replaces the old SQ application forms and applications email address, which are scrapped.
To submit new applications to Screen Queensland, visit https://screenqueensland.smartygrants.com.au/