Screenwriting and project development for long-form film and television supported by Screen NSW

Screen NSW – Pathways Development Program

  • Funding available: Up to $30,000
  • Funding coverage: Development funding only
  • Funding structure: Development investment, partial contribution
  • Project stage: Development to pitch‑ready
  • Applications close: April 2, 2026

The Screen NSW Pathways Development Program supports emerging writers living with disability to develop original long‑form screen projects to a pitch‑ready stage. The program provides targeted development funding and mentoring to strengthen participation, representation and career pathways within the NSW screen sector.

Key Requirements

  • The Writer must be NSW‑based and identify as living with disability, as defined under the NSW Disability Inclusion Act 2014
  • The project must be a long‑form screen project intended for cinema, broadcast television or online platforms
  • Projects must have a NSW‑based Producer who is at least mid‑career
  • Funding supports development activities only, not production
  • Screen NSW funding is generally a partial contribution, with applicants expected to supplement funding
  • Funding can only be spent on eligible activities undertaken in New South Wales
  • Projects must align with Screen NSW Terms of Trade
  • Projects must not commence before funding is approved and contracted

What is eligible for funding?

Eligible projects include:

  • Narrative fiction, documentary or factual long‑form projects
  • Projects for cinema, broadcast television or online platforms
  • Development activities such as scripts, treatments, series bibles and pitch materials

Eligible costs may include:

  • Writer fees and writers’ rooms
  • Research and consultation
  • Strategic shooting for documentary projects
  • Proof of concept and test shooting (within caps)
  • Producer fees and development planning costs

Funding is not generally available for:

  • Short films under 60 minutes
  • Reality television, community television or current affairs
  • Projects developed as part of a course of study
  • Office overheads, legal fees or option fees
  • Costs incurred before funding approval

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible applications must include:

  • A Writer who:
    • Is a NSW resident
    • Identifies as living with disability
    • Has an eligible professional credit or equivalent experience
  • A Producer who:
    • Is NSW‑based
    • Is at least mid‑career
    • Holds or controls the rights to develop the project

All applicants must meet Screen NSW Terms of Trade.

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.