Screen Australia has poured $2.6 million worth of funding into 12 companies as part of its 2016 Enterprise Industry program.
The successful Enterprise Industry applicants include a production house from the Northern Territory; an Emmy-award winning creative studio from Queensland; and accomplished NSW-based documentary production companies.
The recipients are: Arclight Films, Brindle Films, CJZ, Dinosaur, Guerilla Films, Ludo Studios, Media Stockade, Pozible, Princess Pictures, Rough Diamond and Xyclo Media.
The companies are being supported to develop proposals covering a range of activities, including new methodologies for script and project development, new financing models, talent support and audience development, and are working on factual, comedy, drama and online content slates, according to Screen Australia.
Since the inception of the Enterprise Program in 2009, 51 companies have received funding from Screen Australia to build and grow their businesses into some of Australia’s most successful domestic and international screen companies, including Essential Media and Entertainment, Blackfella Films, Jungle and Werner Films.
Screen Australia head of business and audience, Richard Harris, said the Enterprise Industry program rewarded ambitious and innovative development programs and gave companies the extra funding they needed to broaden their existing talent and skills.
"This extraordinary group of applicants have come to Screen Australia with ideas for growth that will not just advance their own businesses, but this industry as a whole,” he said.
The 2016 round of successful applicants are:
Arclight Films International will use the funds to co-develop, co-finance and co-produce Australian-Chinese feature film projects through a new division; Chinalight. Chinese and Australian creatives will be involved in the development of the projects and participate in workshops, promoting cross cultural exchange of ideas and information.
Brindle Films is one of a handful of production facilities in the Northern Territory, and this funding will enable them to build their slate and increase their presence at domestic and international markets. They will also develop market-ready scripts for film, television and online delivery and mentor emerging NT producers, writers and directors.
CJZ is a well-established Australian company with a strong track record in producing prime time television entertainment/content. They will build a talent incubator for digital audiences and develop workshops for Australian writing talent to prepare scripts for local and international markets.
Dinosaur is a strong creative team whose successful application will allow them to work on their slate and business to develop content for local and international markets.
Guerilla Films’ successful application incorporates slate development and establishing partnerships and digital media collaborations to build on the momentum of the success of Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead, Guerilla Films’ foray into genre feature filmmaking.
Ludo Studios is an EMMY® award-winning creative studio whose successful proposal means that they will be able to expand their business, build on international alliances, and expand a multiplatform development initiative.
Media Stockade is an independent documentary production company that is expanding its business through the activation of their Impact Campaign Consultancy and The Doco Club, which aims to work with producers to connect a film with its organic interest base, engage new audiences and create positive action.
Pozible is a successful Australian crowd-funding portal. The introduction of ScreenConnect – an embeddable button – will facilitate and incentivise the distribution of crowd-funded films on Pozible, the filmmaker’s site or on fans’ websites.
Princess Pictures will develop a Comedy Incubator, providing talent development opportunities and proof of concept for new comedy projects through mentoring and a series of workshops and a production phase.
Rough Diamond will develop long-running television series working with new and established talent.
Screen Impact is a new feature documentary distribution and rights management company from Smith and Nasht set up in collaboration with digital agency WoodyTV to l guide filmmakers through the entire value chain of financing, marketing and distribution. Screen Impact also offer strategic impact production consultancy.
Xyclo Media champions cultural diversity on screen, providing mentorship and development for talent from culturally diverse backgrounds. Their successful proposal means they’ll be able to grow their unique position in the production landscape.