NSW Screen NSW Production Finance Program

Funding amount: Up to $850,000 per project (capped)
Funding structure: Percentage of Qualifying NSW Production Expenditure (QNSWPE), capped at $850,000
Funding streams & caps:
- Feature films – up to 10% of QNSWPE, capped
- One-off documentaries – up to 10% of QNSWPE, capped
- Documentary series – up to 10% of QNSWPE, capped
- TV drama (including children’s) – up to 5.5% of QNSWPE, capped
- Digital Online Interactive projects – up to 10% of QNSWPE, capped
Matched funding or co‑contribution required: Projects must be fully financed at application, excluding Screen NSW funding and any concurrent state or Commonwealth agency funding.
Applications close: May 6 2026

The Screen NSW Production Finance Program provides investment support to NSW-based and NSW-connected screen productions to deliver culturally significant, high‑quality screen content produced or post-produced in New South Wales. The program supports feature films, television drama, documentary, animation and creative interactive online projects that generate employment, economic activity and intellectual property within the NSW screen sector.

Funding is provided as a cash grant calculated as a percentage of Qualifying NSW Production Expenditure and capped at $850,000 per project. Projects must demonstrate strong creative merit, production readiness, viable financing, and meaningful marketplace attachments. Screen NSW prioritises projects that strengthen NSW production companies, promote diverse storytelling, and deliver long‑term cultural and economic benefits for the state.

Key Requirements

Support high-quality screen content Projects must demonstrate exceptional creative quality, clear audience intent, and readiness to proceed to production or post-production.
Generate NSW economic and employment outcomes Productions must deliver measurable NSW expenditure and employment for NSW-based practitioners.
Grow the NSW screen industry Projects should contribute to the sustainability and growth of NSW production companies and creative talent.
Demonstrate diversity and authenticity Projects must address Screen NSW’s diversity priorities through authorship, creative leadership, storytelling and on‑screen representation.
Market readiness and commercial viability Applications must demonstrate marketplace attachments or a credible pathway to distribution and audience reach.

What is eligible for funding?

Production or post-production of:
- Feature films
- Television drama and narrative comedy series
- Documentary films and series
- Animation series
- Creative interactive online screen content
NSW-based production and post-production expenditure
Employment of NSW-based cast, crew and key creatives
Costs aligned with Qualifying NSW Production Expenditure

What companies are eligible for funding?

Eligible applicants include:

Australian production companies based in NSW and operating for at least six months; or
Australian companies in genuine co‑production arrangements with NSW production companies; or
Non‑NSW Australian companies meeting higher NSW expenditure thresholds.

Additional considerations:

Total production budget must be under $20 million
Minimum NSW expenditure thresholds apply
At least one NSW‑based key creative is required
Applicants must hold necessary rights and comply with 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.

This grant is open

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