Over $720,000 in funding to keep screen industry thriving

Screen NSW is keeping the state’s ecosystem thriving with funding for film festivals celebrating the best from around Australia and the world to be hosted across NSW and supporting screen businesses that offer creative practitioners career growth and collaboration opportunities.

Screen NSW’s 2024/25 Audience and Industry Development Programs are delivering $726,400 in funding to 28 recipients, supporting an exciting range of dynamic screen events and industry experiences in NSW. 

The Audience Development Program provides support for organisations hosting screen events, including public screenings, festivals and tours, which deliver high quality experiences for audiences across the state.  

The Industry Development Program supports professional development and career advancement opportunities for practitioners in NSW including annual events, workshops, masterclasses, forums and targeted professional development activities. Both programs support sustainable growth and accessibility for the screen industry, and ensure NSW remains home to thriving screen businesses.  

Audience Development Program recipients include Africa Film Fest Australia, Alliance Francaise French Film Festival, Antenna Documentary Film Festival, Bangalow Film Festival, Bus Stop Films Showcase, Byron Bay International Film Festival, Flickerfest International Short Film Festival, Flickerfest Western Sydney and NSW Regional Tour, Irish Film Festival, Lebanese Film Festival, Mardi Gras Film Festival, Perfect Light Film Festival, Persian Film Festival, Polish Film Festival, SF3 Smartfone Flick Fest and Sydney Underground Film Festival. 

Industry Development Program recipients include Accessible Arts, Antenna Documentary Forum, Arts & Cultural Exchange, Australian Guild of Screen Composers, Australian International Documentary Conference, Bus Stop Films, Creative Plus Business, Flickerfest’s Flickerlab, Newcastle International Film Festival Screen Workshops, Pride in Film, Screen Illawarra, and Screenworks. 

The Audience and Industry Development Programs complement the Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund which assists film festivals across the state to host opening night celebrations for their community, broadening their reach and impact. 

The next round of Audience and Industry Development Programs will open for applications later in 2025. 

More information about the Audience Development Program and the Industry Development Program is available on the Screen NSW website.

Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said: 

“Through these programs, Screen NSW is thrilled to support so many amazing screen festivals and creative businesses across NSW, offering premier experiences for audiences and professional development opportunities for our practitioners. 

“The experience to come together with an audience of fellow film lovers is unmatched. Through our Audience Development Program, we support organisation that run events to showcase content from both local and international filmmakers, bringing together cinephiles across NSW.  

“I’m also pleased we can support organisations offering programs to grow the NSW screen sector, increasing accessibility and career advancement opportunities for NSW practitioners with our Industry Development Program.” 

Audience Development Program recipient Mumbi Hinga, Director of Africa Film Fest Australia said: 

“At Africa Film Fest Australia, we believe stories have the power to connect people across cultures. Thanks to Screen NSW, we can continue that mission with an unforgettable program of films, workshops, and cultural experiences at the Sydney Opera House and Riverside Theatres. From the opening night party and networking event to our cutting-edge animation sessions at UTS, this year’s festival is all about bringing African and African Australian creativity to the forefront. We are grateful for Screen NSW’s belief in the vision and can’t wait to see the ripple effects this support will have on our creative community.” 

Industry Development Program recipient Monica Davidson, Founder of Creative Plus Business said:  

“Receiving support from Screen NSW for our SCREEN ARTSELERATE program is amazing. It means we'll be able to help screen professionals to access the tools and resources to build their businesses in a supportive environment with a network of their peers. By partnering in our delivery with ACE, Creative Plus Business is also ensuring that practitioners from Western Sydney will get the help they need to bridge the gap between artistic creativity and business acumen in these tricky times."   

 

Image credit: Africa Film Fest Australia Opening Night 2024. Supplied by Africa Film Fest Australia.