First Nations Feature Production

  • Limited funding available; no set maximum per applicant
  • Applications by invitation only
  • Applications are ongoing, with decisions made approximately eight weeks post application

This grant invests in outstanding low-budget feature film projects by First Nations Australians. Funding supports production and post-production, aiming to develop key First Nations creatives and extend their vision and skills.

Key Requirements

Projects must have an acceptable offer to theatrically distribute the project in Australia (with sufficiently detailed core commercial terms) from an appropriate domestic distributor.

Other than in exceptional circumstances, preference will be given to projects that, at the time of application, are no further than six months from the start of pre-production.

What is eligible for funding?

Funding is available for production and post-production costs of feature films with a domestic distributor attached.

What companies are eligible for funding?

  • The application must come from a producer, on behalf of team including a First Nations Australian writer, director, and any co-directors, or an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander writer/director
  • The writer and director must be First Nations Australian and must have at least three ‘eligible drama credits’ in their respective roles
  • In the case of co-writing teams, made up of Indigenous and non- Indigenous writers, the original concept must come from the First Nations Australian writer. This must be shown in the application
  • The producer must be either:
    – an ‘experienced producer’, or
    – a producer who has at least three ‘eligible drama credits’, or
    – an emerging producer applying in conjunction with an ‘experienced producer’.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.