Project Development Grants for Filmmakers and Writers (Australia)

Deadline: 16-Mar-2026

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AI Snippet Summary: The Project Development Grants program provides funding to Northern Territory writers, directors, producers, and production companies to advance screen projects at various stages of development. Grants support concept development, scriptwriting, visualisation, workshops, and pitch materials to attract further finance for feature films, documentaries, TV/web drama, and narrative comedy.

Overview of the Program

The Project Development Grants program aims to assist creative practitioners in significantly developing screen projects. It supports both first-stage and late-stage development, ensuring that projects are prepared for production finance, audience engagement, and strategic growth.

Objectives of the Grant

The program supports projects by:

• Advancing a concept or proposal into a treatment or script

• Conducting strategic research and acquiring intellectual property rights

• Facilitating scriptwriting, story, and character development

• Creating visualisation materials, including storyboards

• Conducting script readings, workshops, or writers’ rooms

• Developing pitch materials, teaser trailers, and sizzle reels to attract finance

Eligible Project Types

Funding is available for projects in:

• Feature films

• Documentaries

• TV/web drama

• Narrative comedy

Grant Amounts

• First-stage development: Up to $10,000

• Late-stage development: Up to $20,000

• Multiple grants per project: Total funding up to $30,000, unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated

• Funding may be considered as part of total equity if the project progresses to production finance through recoupable investment

Development Activities by Stage

Early-stage development may include:

• Research and rights acquisition

• Drafting outlines, treatments, and scripts

• Scene breakdowns and beat sheets

• Visualisation materials such as storyboards

• Script readings or workshops

Late-stage development may include:

• Budgeting and scheduling

• Digital strategy and audience engagement consultation

• Creation of materials to attract investment, including pitch decks, teaser trailers, or sizzle reels

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Residency: Northern Territory residents or NT-based companies

• Collaboration: Co-productions allowed if genuinely collaborative and include a NT writer or writer/director

• Project rights: Applicants must hold or have an option to acquire the rights to the project

• Credit requirements:

  • First-stage funding ($10,000): At least two eligible screen credits of 10 minutes or longer

  • Late-stage funding ($10,001–$20,000): At least two eligible credits of one hour, or two 30-minute broadcasts

• Eligible credits: ‘Produced by,’ ‘directed by,’ or ‘written by’ on a project that has:

  • Been selected for an eligible event

  • Had a theatrical release on at least five screens in a major territory

  • Been broadcast on a recognised television network

  • Made available through a major SVOD or AVOD provider

How to Apply

1. Prepare Documentation: Include project treatment, scripts, visualisation materials, development plan, and evidence of rights or option acquisition

2. Eligibility Verification: Confirm Northern Territory residency and screen credit requirements

3. Submit Application: Through the Screen Territory application portal (specific submission portal and deadlines provided by Screen Territory)

4. Assessment: Applications are evaluated on project potential, stage-appropriateness, applicant experience, feasibility, and value for money

FAQs

1. Who can apply? Individual writers, writer/directors, producers, production companies, or collaborative teams including at least a writer and a producer from the Northern Territory.
2. What project types are eligible? Feature films, documentaries, TV/web drama, and narrative comedy.
3. What are the maximum grant amounts? $10,000 for first-stage development, $20,000 for late-stage development, with total funding up to $30,000 per project.
4. Can co-productions apply? Yes, if genuinely collaborative with a Northern Territory writer or writer/director and generated in the Territory.
5. What counts as eligible screen credits? Credits for produced, directed, or written work in projects broadcast, released theatrically, selected for festivals, or distributed via major SVOD/AVOD providers.
6. Is funding available for option purchases? Yes, but only after the option has been secured.
7. How will applications be assessed? Based on stage-appropriate development plans, project potential, applicant experience, and ability to attract further investment.

Conclusion

The Project Development Grants program provides crucial support for Northern Territory screen practitioners to develop, refine, and showcase their projects. By funding both early and late-stage development, the program fosters innovation, professional growth, and readiness for production finance, helping NT creatives bring high-quality screen content to local and global audiences.

For more information, visit Screen Territory.