Screen Queensland

Development Funding 2025-26

Fill Out
Now
This is a preview of the Development Application 2025-26 form. When you’re ready to apply, click Fill Out Now to begin.
 

START YOUR APPLICATION

* indicates a required field.

Development Fund

Screen Queensland’s Development Fund is designed to support screen practitioners based in Queensland and interstate producers working with Queensland-based key creatives, who are developing screen projects ranging from early concept stage to advanced development. The fund prioritises projects led by Queensland-based practitioners with compelling stories and a clear strategy for their project’s pathway to screen.

Ensure you have read the guidelines on the Screen Queensland website thoroughly, prior to applying.

Thank you for your application with Screen Queensland. Industry standard document formats must be used throughout your application. 

If you have any questions about any part of the form or your application, please contact the Screen Queensland Content Team on (07) 3248 0500 or email content@screenqld.com.au.

At early-stage development, it is not essential to have a production company attached to be eligible.

Are you Eligible to Apply?

  • I live and work in Queensland (and have been a resident of the state for at least six months immediately preceding the application; proof of residency may be required).
  • I am not employed by a state or government screen agency.
  • I am not employed by a broadcaster or streaming service.
  • I am not a full-time student.
  • None of the projects I am submitting contribute to credits for a course or study.
  • I do not have any projects in default with Screen Queensland.
  • I and my team are not in default with Screen Queensland.
  • I have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
  • This project has not been unsuccessful in seeking Development funding on two (2) previous occasions.
  • I and my team authentically represent the story and characters in the project that form part of this Application.
  • I have read and agree to the Program Guidelines; SQ Terms of Trade; SQ QPE Definition; SQ Strategic Plan 2023-2025; Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network Charter; Screen Australia Pathways and Protocols.
Eligibility * Required
Response required.
Clear the selected value for Eligibility
If you are unsure, please contact Screen Queensland 07 3248 0500 / content@screenqld.com.au

Projects that meet eligibility requirements are not guaranteed funding and will undergo a rigorous assessment process against Screen Queensland’s strategic priorities and program guidelines. 

Development funding is offered in three tiers, depending on the applicant’s stage of development and residency (Queensland or Interstate). Full guidelines available here.

A brief summary of the three tiers:

TIER 1 – Up to $15,000 – Early-stage development, no Marketplace Letter of Intent required. However, applicant must have attached suitable producer and/or appropriate marketplace interest.
TIER 2 – Between $15,001 and $30,000 – Mid-stage development. Suitable producer must be attached. Letter of Intent for appropriate marketplace optional but preferred for Queensland applicants. Letter of Intent for appropriate marketplace required for out-of-state applicants.
TIER 3 – Slate Funding between $25,000 and $50,000 – Available for established Queensland-resident producers with track record of successful commissions and productions, and may be applied to slate of minimum 4 projects.

The maximum funding request for our Development Fund program is capped at $50,000.

All requests for funding, regardless of eligibility, are subject to limited program budgets within a highly competitive funding environment.

 
Note: Do not include the additional funding request for your First Nations Cultural Engagement and Safety Plan here, instead, provide details in the Budget Table on Page 6. 
Must be a dollar amount. 

Tier 1 Funding Eligibility (Not Applicable)

This section is not applicable because of your response to question: "What is your funding request of Screen Queensland?" on page 1

TIER 1 – Up to $15,000 – Queensland Residents and Interstate

All applications are assessed competitively. The guidelines below are for eligibility purposes only.

Guidelines available here.

  • Queensland-resident applicants and producers, including sole practitioners, are encouraged to apply.
    Interstate producers with a strong track record of professional screen credits may apply for funding that supports Queensland-resident key creatives.
  • For Queensland resident sole practitioners, written confirmation of a suitable producer's attachment to the project must be provided.
  • Funding directed toward Queensland spend only.
  • Minimum creative materials:
    • Scripted – Treatment; draft scripts preferable.
    • Unscripted – Demonstrable evidence of access arrangements, along with minimum one-page pitch document; treatment preferable.
  • Funds requested must be appropriate for current stage of development and associated deliverables. Please note that applicants may not receive the full funding ask requested and funding is awarded at Screen Queensland’s sole discretion.

Confirm your eligibility to apply for Tier 1 funding.

  • The funding I have requested is directed toward Queensland spend only.
  • I have the minimum creative materials required. 
  * Required
Response required.
Clear the selected value

Tier 2 Funding Eligibility (Not Applicable)

This section is not applicable because of your response to questions:

  • "What is your funding request of Screen Queensland?" on page 1
  • "What is your funding request of Screen Queensland?" on page 1

TIER 2 – Between $15,001 and $30,000 – Queensland Residents and Interstate

All applications are assessed competitively. The guidelines below are for eligibility purposes only.

Guidelines available here. 

  • Applicant must be a rights-holding Queensland-resident producer retaining minimum 50% I.P. / copyright in project.
  • Must have Queensland-resident writer or director attached – with attachment confirmed in writing.
  • Funding directed toward Queensland spend only.
  • No Letter of Interest/Intent (LOI) from marketplace required but applications that demonstrate marketplace interest will generally be more competitive.
    • Letters of Interest/Intent from marketplace will be assessed in context of the project’s stage of development. Track record of LOI-provider will be assessed.
  • Minimum Creative Materials:
    • Scripted – Draft Script(s) or equivalent well-developed, competitive creative materials.
    • Unscripted – Advanced Treatment and evidence of access arrangements.
  • Funds requested must be appropriate for current stage of development and associated deliverables. Please note that applicants may not receive the full funding ask requested and funding is awarded at Screen Queensland’s sole discretion.

For interstate producers, please complete the appropriate form available on the Screen Queensland website.

Confirm your eligibility to apply for Tier 2 funding.

  • I am a rights-holding Queensland-resident producer retaining minimum 50% IP/copyright in the project.
  • The funding I have requested is directed toward Queensland spend only.
  • I have the minimum creative materials required. I understand that applications will not be accepted where minimum creative materials are not provided.
  • I have confirmed attachment from either a Queensland-resident writer or director.
  * Required
Response required.
Clear the selected value

Slate Funding Eligibility (Not Applicable)

This section is not applicable because of your response to questions:

  • "What is your funding request of Screen Queensland?" on page 1
  • "What is your funding request of Screen Queensland?" on page 1

TIER 3 – SLATE FUNDING – Between $25,000 and $50,000 – Queensland Producers Only

All applications are assessed competitively. The guidelines below are for eligibility purposes only.

Guidelines available here.

  • Slate funding is available for established Queensland-resident producers with a track record of successful commissions and productions, and may be applied to a slate of minimum 4 projects.
    • Slate funding capped at $50,000 for entire slate.
    • LOIs desirable but not required.
    • Applicant may only apply for slate funding once per financial year.
    • If successful in receiving slate funding, Screen Queensland will not accept other Development applications from applicant until acquittal of slate funding deliverables.
    • Slate funding deliverables must be acquitted within 6 months.
    • Minimum creative materials may be a combination of early-stage creative materials (e.g. treatments, one-pagers, early draft scripts), depending on ask and stage of development.
    • If applying for slate funding, please first contact Screen Queensland 07 3248 0500 / content@screenqld.com.au.

Confirm your eligibility to apply for Slate Funding.

  • I am a rights-holding Queensland-resident producer retaining minimum 50% IP/copyright in the projects.
  • I have the minimum creative materials required.
  • I understand that if successful, slate funding deliverables must be acquitted within 6 months of contract execution. 

Note: Screen Queensland may contact the applicant for clarification around their application.

  * Required
Response required.
Clear the selected value

Funding Request capped at $50,000 (Not Applicable)

This section is not applicable because of your response to question: "What is your funding request of Screen Queensland?" on page 1

The maximum funding request for our Development Fund program is capped at $50,000. 

Please amend your request, refer to the guidelines here and/or contact the Content team via content@screenqld.com.au to discuss your application.

Individual or Organisation

Are you applying as an individual or organisation? * Required