Key information
- Status: Open
- Grant amount: Up to $5,000 for one Key Creative, or up to $6,000 for two or more Key Creatives per project
- Application opened: 1 July 2025
- Application closes: 30 June 2026, 11:00 pm
Program objective
The objectives of the program are to:
- Support the nurturing of new ideas and talent in NSW
- Ensure Key Creatives are given access to opportunities to not only benefit their own careers but also then reinvest it back into the NSW screen industry
- Support connections that will shape the future of NSW’s creative landscape and strengthen NSW’s position in the global market.
This program is funded and administered by Screen NSW.
This program is administered by Screen NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
Please see the Screen NSW website for the full Program Guidelines.
Screen NSW general eligibility requirements can be found in the Screen NSW Terms of Trade, which should be read in conjunction with these guidelines.
Applicants must:
- Be NSW-based, or otherwise:
- Provide evidence of a of a genuine co-production partnership with a NSW-based company or producer, or
- Have at least one NSW-based Key Creative (writer, producer or director) attached to the proposed project(s) taken to the festival or market
- Have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
Additionally:
- Market Travel: Applicants must be attending a recognised screen industry market with a demonstrable slate of at least three projects aiming to further financing and market partnerships. Applicants must be the be the rights holder for each project included in the slate proposed to be taken to market.
- Festival Travel: Applicants must be invited to represent project/s with confirmed screenings in the program of an approved international festival or major awards ceremony and evidence of selection must be provided.
- Both Market and Festival Travel: An individual or a team can submit up to three applications to this program in any financial year, but only one application at a time.
Please note that Screen NSW funding is entirely limited to travel costs for proposed NSW-based Key Creatives intending to travel. In addition, projects that have not received Screen NSW development or production finance are still eligible for this Fund.
If applying more than once, a strong case must be made to support this. This includes demonstrating exceptional market potential for your slate, confirmed high-level industry meetings and substantial financial commitments contingent on the project's development. Generally, we will not consider additional funding for a project that has a current application to another Screen NSW program.
Types of projects funded under this grant
We fund market travel associated with the development of:
- Feature films
- Adult and children’s television drama and narrative comedy including series, miniseries, web series and telemovies
- Content-rich factual and documentary television or web programs and series
- Animation series
- Creative interactive screen entertainment.
We fund festival travel associated with the screenings of:
- Feature films
- Short films (International premiere only)
- Adult and children’s television drama and narrative comedy including series, miniseries, web series and telemovie
- Content-rich factual and documentary television or web programs and series
- Animation series
- Creative interactive screen entertainment.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
You must submit all core materials listed on the application form. You must ensure, across the application form and supporting materials, to address the below points:
Market Travel
- Slate Overview including details of each project (Genre, Synopsis, Proposed Budget, Duration, Audience, Key Creatives attached)
- Producer Notes and Financing Strategy, including addressing the potential of the projects to contribute to a robust screen industry in NSW
- Evidence of market support, interest and/or commitment (Include targeted meetings – a list of appropriate meetings, including indicating whether they are confirmed and/or pending)
- Team – CVs and bios for all travellers.
Festival Travel
- Evidence of festival selection or major awards nomination
- Cover letter outlining why attending the festival/awards would provide you with a significant networking and professional development opportunity. Please include details of business meetings you are planning or upcoming projects that you wish to pitch as part of the trip.
Address the eligibility criteria
Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.
Start the application
Screen NSW uses the SmartyGrants platform for submission of all applications. Applications made using any other format will not be accepted. Please note you will receive a SmartyGrants acknowledgement of submission.
A preview of the application form can be viewed on the SmartyGrants portal.
Note: If you are a new applicant to SmartyGrants, you will need to register and create a password. If you are already registered, you can log in with your existing username and password.
Apply now
After the application is submitted
Successful applications will be decided by: Head of Screen NSW
Applications are received on a rolling basis and are assessed on the eligibility and selection criteria. Sector Investment team members assess projects across our entire suite of development and production programs.
Once your application has been submitted, you will receive an email confirmation from our secure online grants system, SmartyGrants.
Applications will be initially reviewed by Screen NSW staff to ensure they meet eligibility requirements, and all application materials are acceptable. If your application is not eligible you will be notified by email within 28 days of receipt.
If your application is eligible, it will then be assessed by a minimum of one Screen NSW staff member or an external assessor with industry experience. The application will be then reviewed by an assessment panel including a minimum of three Screen NSW staff members, chaired by the Senior Investment Manager (or delegate), and may be attended by a probity representative.
Please note that funding allocation follows a competitive process. Evaluations will consider the assessment criteria outlined above, the availability of funds at Screen NSW, the quality of the application against other applications received during the same assessment period, and the applicant's need for Screen NSW funds.
Final recommendations will be made in writing for approval by the Head of Screen NSW.
We shall endeavour to notify you on the outcome of your application between four to six weeks from the date that Screen NSW acknowledges receipt of a completed application.
Support and contact
Screen NSW Investment Team - investment@screen.nsw.gov.au