Want to get started in the web series industry, but don’t have the budget available?
The good news is that you don’t always have to pay out of pocket to produce your own web series. Below are some of the funding grants offered in Australia.
It’s important to note that the funding listed here is mostly avenues for Australian applicants to access, however, funding may be granted to international filmmakers if it is in accordance to the funding initiatives set out in the guidelines.
Development Funding:
Screen Australia will assist innovative fictional series that push the envelope of traditional storytelling with their Multiplatform Drama Fund. The fund is aimed at lower budget productions and will be particularly favourable to series utilising multiple platforms. It is well suited to projects that include strong and compelling social media components to engage audiences. Applicants may apply for up to $500, 000 in funding and applications are open year round.
Screen NSW offers funding for both Early Development and Advanced Development to assist with getting your web series off the ground. If you are NSW based creative company you can request any amount up to $50,000 to be considered. Applications are accepted all year round.
Long Story Short is a joint initiative between Screen Australia and ABC iview aiming to develop and commission short form narrative series. Applications are open to any fictional genre series designed to appeal to a younger audience (18 – 35 years). Under this initiative applicants can apply for up to $300,000 for their series, applications close on 15 April.
The Story Development fund offered by Screen Australia aims to assist with bringing your web series to life, with an amount of up to $20,000 being granted for online and interactive drama. Series must have a total running time of at least 30 minutes in order to be considered. Applications are accepted all year round.
Pitch Funding:
The Film & Television Institute (FTI) have recently created an event called the Philanthropy Program. This is an event designed to reel in funding from external donors who may be interested in funding the development or production of your web series. The application for the Philanthropy Program has three separate event deadlines, the first was January 22, the second round will close on June 1, and the final date for the third round is yet to be announced.
Production Funding:
The Screen Production Investment Scheme by South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) supports the production of creative and original content which can be either stand-alone or series. Applications are open to both live action and animation series programs. To be eligible for the Investment Scheme your production must be wholly or largely undertaken in SA. Submissions need to be made 30 days prior to SAFC Board meeting dates which are held every two months.
The Production Grant by Wide Angle Tasmania is dedicated to raising the level of development and production of screen content in Tasmania. To be eligible for funding applicants must reside in Tasmania and be current members of Wide Angle Tasmania. Equipment and facilities worth $30,000 will be offered to successful applicants. Applications are accepted all year round.