Film Victoria program updates June 2018-19

Each year in response to marketplace trends and feedback we’ve receive, we review our programs to ensure they are best meeting the needs of industry. The following is a brief summary of the changes made which will be rolled out from 1 July 2018. Please check individual programs for implementation dates.

Lapsing programs or strands

Marketing Low Budget Feature Films

• This program will cease from 1 July 2018.

Why?

• This program was designed to showcase and support the career development of Victorian practitioners. Whilst it has achieved those objectives, Film Victoria’s core programs are evolving with a long-term and holistic approach to meeting talent development needs. These programs include API (completion funding), festival travel, business and skills development and the revised development program.

Key 2018-19 updates

Development

Update:

• Film Victoria’s five development programs will be consolidated into two programs:
  • Project Development (limited competitive rounds) open to all Victorian narrative content creators across all platforms
  • Development - On Demand (apply anytime) for experienced and well credentialed Victorian narrative content creators across all platforms.

Why?

• A platform agnostic approach means that narrative fiction and documentary projects across cinema, TV, online and VR can seek support
• Open eligibility criteria for the general competitive rounds aims to attract new and diverse voices
• Updates are consistent with recent guideline changes implemented by Screen Australia.

Check our Development page for updates on implementation.

Industry and Early Career Skills Development program

Update:

• The Early Career Skills Development program will run as an “Invitation only” program for recipients selected under the original EOI process and who have successfully delivered their activities in 2017-18. Funding will be capped at $50,000 per application in the 2018 – 19 financial year
• Organisations delivering activities and initiatives targeted to early career practitioners or the general industry can still apply under the current Industry Development program guidelines (up to $20,000)
• Awards ceremonies and industry days within Film Festivals will no longer be supported through the Industry Development program
• Supported activities must commence within nine months of application submission.

Why?

• The opportunity for Early Career Skills Development  funding recipients to reapply will enable them to build on their successful programs and provide continuity of skills development opportunities for the early career sector
• Award ceremonies may be able to seek support through general sponsorship requests to Film Victoria.

Review the 2017-18 Early Career Skills Development recipients here.

Audience Engagement & Regional Audience Engagement

Update:

• The Regional Audience Engagement program will be offered within the Audience Engagement program
• This program will be targeted towards screening events and will not be available for publications (online/podcast/print)
• This program will now be available on demand rather than designated rounds
• Activities supported through the Industry Development program are not eligible for support
• Supported activities must commence between 3-9 months of the application being submitted.

Why?

• The move to ‘on demand’ applications will enable applicants to apply when they have necessary details of their activities in place
• The Regional Audience Engagement and Audience Engagement are sufficiently similar to warrant only one set of guidelines

Application forms for this program will be available on our Screen Culture page in late August.

International Travel – Business program

Update:

• Business travel will only be available for specific delegations organised by Film Victoria and will be advertised as they become available
• Limited travel support may be provided as a genuine development expense under the Development on Demand program.

Why?

• Greater benefit to practitioner and their project/s as part of a larger delegation which will offer greater support throughout the conference/market.

International Travel – Festivals

Update:

• Additional festivals have been added to Film Victoria’s Approved International Festival’s List
• Deadlines are generally no later than 20 business days from the commencement of the festival
• Applicants will now be advised within 15 business days of the application deadline.

Why?

• Film Victoria has updated its list of approved festivals in response to industry feedback.

Visit our Travel page for upcoming festival travel opportunities.

Incentives (PIAF & PIAF PDV)

Update:

• The Alternative Assistance for Low Budget International Productions strand will be removed from the PIAF and PIAF PDV guidelines from 1 July 2018
• Requirements for projects deliverables and crediting Film Victoria on supported projects have been clarified.

Why?

• Based on industry feedback the Low Budget International Productions strand is not financially or practically viable.

See our Incentives page for more details.

Games Release

Update:

• Moved from rounds to on demand applications.

Why?

• On demand application process reflects the nature of game development and allows developers to apply for funding when ready rather than wait for a funding round.

See our Games page for more information. 

Games Company Placements (formerly Games Professional Placements)

Update:

• The program supports games companies to grow by assisting them to employ talented games practitioners.  In 2018/19 companies will be able to employ either male or female candidates.

Why?

• In 2017-18 Film Victoria ran a female-only round which supported seven recipients. We may look to offer this again in future rounds.

See our Business/Skills page for more details.