Short to Feature Fast Track Initiative 2026

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.

The producer must have at least one of the following:

• An ‘eligible fiction credit’ as a producer, OR
• A credit as a producer on a short fiction project which has received production funding through Screen Australia’s Online or First Nations Department fiction programs.

The director must have at least one of the following:

• An ‘eligible fiction credit’ as a director, OR
• A credit as a director on a short fiction project which has received production funding through Screen Australia’s Online or Indigenous Department fiction programs, OR
• A credit as a director on a narrative television series with a minimum duration of 30 minutes OR
• A high level of critical acclaim as a director in a related field such as theatre, TV commercials or documentary (i.e., awards, critical reviews, broadcasts, box office, international sales).
• Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis where a director has previously directed a feature film, however the initiative is supporting creatives moving into features so materials must demonstrate a strong case to support, i.e., be a significant genre shift from previous work.

General Eligibility:

• The Applicant must be the producer and have a valid ABN and, if required by law, be registered for GST.
• The Applicant may be an individual or a production company and must be NSW Based.
• The Applicant must own or control the rights in the short/ proof of concept and feature film script and all other rights necessary to carry out the projects.
• The “key creative team” must comprise a NSW-Based writer, director and applicant-producer. Additional producers, who are not NSW Based but are Australian-based, and are not the applicants, will be considered.
• Applications must include at least one Key Creative from Screen NSW’s Strategic Priority Area groups (Regional NSW, Western Sydney, First Nations peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people living with disability, and LGBTQIA+ people).
• Applications must also include at least one female Key Creative in line with NSW gender equity targets.
• A team must comprise of at least two members, and all teams must include a producer. One person cannot be both the producer and director on the project. Nor can they hold all three key creative positions: writer, director and producer. However, writer/director or writer/producer are eligible.
• An individual can submit or be attached to multiple applications; however, advice is to put your most competitive projects forward.

Short film/proof of concept production:

• To be at least 5 minutes to a maximum of 15 minutes in duration.
• To be produced and post-produced entirely in NSW.
• Can include live action and animation.
• For post-production applications, applications must be at the rough-cut or fine-cut stage with the latest footage having been shot within one year of the application closing date.
• Projects must be shot on and mastered on HD and able to be screened via theatrical release, television, online or mobile.
• While encouraging low budget approaches to storytelling, producers are permitted to raise additional finance to produce their films. Screen NSW encourages applicants to approach industry facilities and negotiate deals, as well as crowd funding, distribution, and other sources of funds to finance their project.
• Please seek approval before committing to crediting requirements. The funds must be in place at the time of submitting your application and evidence of this provided in your second stage application.
• Third-party investment is allowed under specific conditions and following consultation with Screen NSW. Third-party investors must sit behind any deferrals in the recoupment structure.
• Sponsorship and product placement are allowed in the form of a grant, not an investment (it cannot be recoupable) and must be approved by Screen NSW in advance.
• As per our Terms of Trade, Screen NSW funding is conditional on paying at least award minimum rates including key creatives, cast and crew.
• Funding cannot be retrospective.
• Documentary projects are not eligible.

Feature film development:

• The feature film script does not have to be the same story or a long version of the short film/proof of concept but should be connected, for example, by creative voice, genre, tone or stylistic approach. The formats can include live action and animation. All genres are eligible.
• There is no restriction on subject matter or style, but Screen NSW is looking for scripts that are compelling, distinctive and have a strong sense of their audience.
• The feature film must be intended to be produced and post-produced entirely in NSW.