The Audience Development Program provides support towards public screenings, festivals and tours that deliver opportunities for NSW audiences to see and experience quality screen content and innovative practice.
October 2025
What was approved
Approved for Queer Screen Ltd
Multi-Year Funding for 3 Years (Year 1: $35,000, Year 2: $50,000, Year 3: $50,000). Queer Screen Film Fest (August) and Mardi Gras Film Festival (February) are held annually in Sydney, showcasing global LGBTIQA+ stories. Drawing thousands of attendees, they celebrate queer communities and support local talent through initiatives like My Queer Career, the Pitch Off competition, and the Completion Fund.
$135,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, 24-Hour, Screen & Sound (or their relevant financial delegate).Date approved
October 2025Location of the project
Sydney 2000Location of the recipient
Petersham 2049About the grant
Applications approved
11
Applications received
21
Audience Development Program 2025/26
Program term
30/06/2028September 2025
What was approved
Approved for Arts and Cultural Exchange Inc.
Multi-Year Funding for 2 Years ($15,000 per year). The Africa Film Fest Australia (AFFA) is a four-day Pan-African film festival celebrating stories from all 54 African countries, the diaspora, and African-Australian filmmakers. Opening at the Sydney Opera House in 2025, it features films, documentaries, panels, and networking events showcasing the depth and diversity of African cinema.
$30,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, 24-Hour, Screen & Sound (or their relevant financial delegate).Date approved
September 2025Location of the project
Parramatta 2150Location of the recipient
Parramatta 2150About the grant
Applications approved
11
Applications received
21
Audience Development Program 2025/26
Program term
30/06/2027What was approved
Approved for Bangalow Film Festival Limited
Multi-Year Funding for 3 Years ($23,000 per year). Launched in 2021, the Bangalow Film Festival is a unique event in the Northern Rivers region. The 10-day festival distinguishes itself for its multifaceted program of film premieres, live performances, art installations, industry development moments, and encounters with special guests in the quaint town of Bangalow.
$69,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, 24-Hour, Screen & Sound (or their relevant financial delegate).Date approved
September 2025Location of the project
Bangalow 2479Location of the recipient
Bangalow 2479About the grant
Applications approved
11
Applications received
21
Audience Development Program 2025/26
Program term
30/06/2028What was approved
Approved for Film Fest Collective Pty Ltd
The Very Short Film Festival (VSFF) celebrates bold Australian storytelling through short films. Touring nationally, it connects regional audiences with emerging voices via screenings, filmmaker Q&As, and workshops. VSFF fosters creative communities, supports skill development, and reflects contemporary Australia through diverse, inclusive, and original screen content.
$10,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, 24-Hour, Screen & Sound (or their relevant financial delegate).Date approved
September 2025Location of the project
Newcastle 2300Location of the recipient
Alexandria 2015About the grant
Applications approved
11
Applications received
21
Audience Development Program 2025/26
Program term
17/12/2025What was approved
Approved for Film Festivals Australia Pty Ltd
The Perfect Light Film Festival is a free, annual film festival in Broken Hill. Run over three days, the Festival includes a launch, an outdoor short film festival and a Scriptwriting Masterclass. It brings the community and nearby regions together to celebrate film via networking, workshops and film screening events
$10,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, 24-Hour, Screen & Sound (or their relevant financial delegate).Date approved
September 2025Location of the project
Broken Hill 28800About the grant
Applications approved
11
Applications received
21
Audience Development Program 2025/26
Program term
28/11/2025What was approved
Approved for Indian Diaspora Film Collective Pty Ltd
Diverse diaspora has grown exponentially in regional NSW. NIFFA Regional will bring curated Indian films, industry panels, and community workshops offering regional audiences and industry practitioners in regional NSW access to diverse cinema, fostering cultural exchange, and creating opportunities for industry engagement, deepening connections between Indian and NSW film communities.
$10,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, 24-Hour, Screen & Sound (or their relevant financial delegate).Date approved
September 2025Location of the project
Sydney 2000Location of the recipient
Moore Park 2021About the grant
Applications approved
11
Applications received
21
Audience Development Program 2025/26
Program term
17/12/2025What was approved
Approved for Irish Screen Projects Incorporated
The 11th Irish Film Festival Australia will showcase the best in contemporary Irish cinema to Australian audiences. A staple on the Australian cultural calendar, the festival screens in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Canberra and - importantly - online, reaching people across regional NSW or those living with a disability.
$10,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, 24-Hour, Screen & Sound (or their relevant financial delegate).Date approved
September 2025Location of the recipient
Marrickville 2204About the grant
Applications approved
11
Applications received
21
Audience Development Program 2025/26
Program term
28/11/2025What was approved
Approved for Screen Illawarra Incorporated
A multi-year, region-wide audience development initiative presenting three distinct festivals: - a Shoalhaven First Nations Film Festival; - a Wollongong City Council Short Film Festival for emerging talent; - Shellharbour–Kiama regional showcase. The program champions Aboriginal voices, grassroots storytelling, and local screen culture through accessible screenings, tours, and community-led engagement.
$6,500 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, 24-Hour, Screen & Sound (or their relevant financial delegate).Date approved
September 2025Location of the project
Wollongong 2500Location of the recipient
Thirroul 2515About the grant
Applications approved
11
Applications received
21
Audience Development Program 2025/26
Program term
05/12/2025What was approved
Approved for SmartFone Flick Fest Pty Ltd
SF3 is the largest smartphone film festival in the world, creating a platform for young, emerging and professional filmmakers to have their films celebrated by a global audience. February 19th-22nd is our festival, showcasing the best smartphone films from across the world at the Sydney Opera House & Palace Chauvel.
$10,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, 24-Hour, Screen & Sound (or their relevant financial delegate).Date approved
September 2025Location of the recipient
Thirroul 2515About the grant
Applications approved
11
Applications received
21
Audience Development Program 2025/26
Program term
26/11/2025What was approved
Approved for SYDNEY UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL INC.
SUFF20 will expand access to bold, diverse cinema through targeted outreach, inclusive programming, and regional engagement. Audiences from wider Sydney and underrepresented communities will benefit. Activities include the major 20 year celebration festival, satellite screenings, workshops, talks and TAKE48, with outcomes of increased participation, cultural connection, and sustainable audience growth.
$17,500 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, 24-Hour, Screen & Sound (or their relevant financial delegate).Date approved
September 2025Location of the project
Marrickville 2204Location of the recipient
Sackville North 2756About the grant
Applications approved
11
Applications received
21
Audience Development Program 2025/26
Program term
26/11/2025What was approved
Approved for Timequake Media
The Polish Film Festival presents a rich selection of inspiring, thought-provoking and entertaining films, showcasing captivating stories from a fascinating country at the geographical and cultural crossroads of Western and Eastern Europe. The festival program aims to reflect the vibrancy of Polish cinema through a varied array of works.
$8,000 was approved by
Deputy Secretary, 24-Hour, Screen & Sound (or their relevant financial delegate).Date approved
September 2025Location of the project
Sydney 20000About the grant
Applications approved
11
Applications received
21
Audience Development Program 2025/26
Program term
30/06/2026