First Nations TV Drama Development

  • Up to $30,000 for one-offs, or up to $45,000 if a producer is attached; up to $65,000 for series
  • Applications open all year round
  • Decisions made in approximately six weeks

This grant helps First Nations practitioners develop TV drama projects, including telemovies and series. Funding supports script and series bible development, project research, and securing production financing.

Key Requirements

Screen Australia is looking to support striking and engaging storytelling that will connect with audiences and are as strong as possible when competing for production finance.

What is eligible for funding?

Funding is available for development of scripts, series bibles, project development, research, and securing production financing for TV drama projects.

What companies are eligible for funding?

Applicants can be a producer, writer or writer/director. The director, any co-directors and the writer must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and have at least two eligible drama credits in their respective roles.

For co-writing teams made up of Indigenous and non-Indigenous writers, the original concept must come from the Indigenous writer.

If a producer is attached to the project, the producer must be an experienced producer, has at least two eligible drama credits or is an emerging producer applying in conjunction with an experienced producer.

Emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander producers are encouraged to apply.

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.