The Strategic Opportunities Program supports initiatives and events that strengthen NSW’s screen industry.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: From $2,000
- Application opened: 1 July 2023
- Application closed: 30 June 2024
Program objective
The objectives of the Strategic Opportunities Program are to:
- Build capacity within the industry, organisations and businesses within the sector
- Support new and sustainable partnerships, particularly between organisations of State significance and practitioners
- Support audience access strategies for projects and practitioners.
This program is funded and administered by Screen NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
To be eligible for funding, organisations must be legally constituted. Applicants will need to provide proof of their legal status.
An organisation or a consortium, or a group of organisations working collaboratively may make applications. In this case, one eligible organisation must be nominated as the lead organisation. The Funding Agreement will be between us and the lead organisation.
Applications may be considered from non-NSW based organisations where the applicant can demonstrate that the project occurs in NSW or has significant benefit to NSW residents.
Applicants must also adhere to the general eligibility requirements under the Screen NSW Terms of Trade.
Who can’t apply
Applications will generally not be accepted from:
- Individuals, partnerships or groups of individuals, and unincorporated organisations
- Government departments and agencies, primary and secondary schools, tertiary institutions and TAFE colleges
- Previous Screen NSW funding recipients who have not fulfilled the conditions of the funding and/or who are overdue in acquitting prior funding.
Applications will not be accepted for projects that would ordinarily be eligible for other Screen NSW funding programs, such as Production or Development. Applicants are welcome to apply to other Screen NSW funding programs but not for the same project.
Eligible projects
We are looking for proposals where:
- The project/event is well planned, of high artistic quality and has the capacity to contribute to the overall stability and strength of the NSW screen industry
- There is efficient use of the funding and the level of funding from other sources
- Track record, including the financial track record, of the applicant and partner organisation.
Furthermore, events and programs that support high-quality activity, engagement and participation with these Priority Areas are of particular importance:
- Regional NSW
- Western Sydney
- First Nations people
- People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- People living with disability
- LGBTQIA+ people.
What can’t you apply for
Funding will generally not be available for:
- Publications or magazines about screen
- Development or production of screen content
- Projects which are ordinarily eligible for other Screen NSW funding programs
- Industry-focused activities such as seminars, conferences and workshops.
Please note that Screen NSW will not support conferences, panel discussions or similar events which have all male panel members.
Most recent recipients
What was approved
Approved for GARUWA
$25,000 was approved by
Head of Screen NSWDate approved
August 2024Location of the recipient
ShoalhavenAbout the grant
Applications approved
8
Applications received
10
Strategic Opportunities
Agency funding this grant
Screen NSWProgram term
2024What was approved
Approved for Bus Stop Films Ltd
$14,500 was approved by
Head of Screen NSWDate approved
June 2024Location of the project
SydneyLocation of the recipient
BaysideAbout the grant
Applications approved
8
Applications received
10
Strategic Opportunities
Agency funding this grant
Screen NSWProgram term
2024What was approved
Approved for Bus Stop Films Ltd
$5,000 was approved by
Head of Screen NSWDate approved
June 2024Location of the project
Blue Mountains, City of Parramatta, Coffs Harbour, Sydney, WollongongLocation of the recipient
BaysideAbout the grant
Applications approved
8
Applications received
10
Strategic Opportunities
Agency funding this grant
Screen NSWProgram term
2024What was approved
Approved for Screen Producers Australia
$5,000 was approved by
Head of Screen NSWDate approved
June 2024Location of the recipient
SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
8
Applications received
10
Strategic Opportunities
Agency funding this grant
Screen NSWProgram term
2024What was approved
Approved for For Film's Sake Ltd
$50,000 was approved by
Head of Screen NSWDate approved
April 2024Location of the recipient
SydneyAbout the grant
Applications approved
8
Applications received
10
Strategic Opportunities
Agency funding this grant
Screen NSWProgram term
2024What your application needs to include
You can download the full guidelines:
Address the selection criteria
Eligible projects and events should generally be completed within one year of being funded. Applications for multi-year projects will be considered on an exceptional basis.
Applications are assessed against the following five criteria.
Project merit
The application should:
- Describe the project, its rationale, location/s and intended audience, partnerships, and discuss briefly how the project supports the objectives of the Strategic Opportunities Program
- Provide brief information about the personnel who will deliver the project including details of their roles, relevant experience and key achievements
- Provide details of the key activities, milestones and dates
- Provide key result areas, indicators and targets for the project.
Objectives
What is the demonstrated demand for your project and how does it meet the objectives of the Strategic Opportunities Program?
Benefits
How does the project benefit the screen industry in NSW?
Organisational capacity
The application should provide brief information demonstrating that it has the experience and expertise to deliver the project effectively, including:
- An outline of the core business, aims and objectives of the organisation
- An outline of the experience and expertise of the organisation as it relates to the project
- Details of the members of the organisation’s governing body/committee
- Track record of the applicant, including the financial track record and experience of the applicant and any key individuals associated with the application.
Budget
The budget should provide sufficient detail to demonstrate that it is cost effective, includes income and expenditure targets that are realistic and achievable, and includes adequate provision for insurance and other liabilities.
Assessment process
Applications will be assessed by at least two Screen NSW staff.
Final recommendations and approvals will be made in writing to the relevant financial delegate of the Secretary (Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport), typically the Head of Screen NSW.
Applicants will be notified on the outcome of their application via email. Outcomes are currently expected to take 5-8 weeks from application submission.
Start the application
Applications for this grant have closed.
After the application is submitted
Funding recipients are required to sign a Funding Agreement with Screen NSW.
Payment will be made upon receipt of the signed Funding Agreement together with a Recipient Created Tax Invoice.
Funding recipients must comply with the terms and conditions of the Funding Agreement. Funds may be suspended or repayment may be required if the funding recipient fails to comply with any of the terms and conditions.
If a consortium or a group of organisations working collaboratively makes an application, the lead organisation will be responsible for ensuring compliance with the terms of the Funding Agreement.
The lead organisation is also responsible for ensuring that all organisations enter into a memorandum of understanding or other agreement.
Support and contact
You must discuss your project with us prior to submitting an application.
Screen Industry and Audience team
industry@screen.nsw.gov.au