$1 million to support NSW screen industry

DocTalk at Antenna Film Festival with Lars Meyer of Dok Leipzig, with Ruth Cullen moderating. Image courtesy Antenna Film Festival

Nineteen NSW screen organisations have benefited from more than $1 million in funding from the NSW Government, delivering a range of professional development initiatives, film festivals and public screenings.

Screen NSW’s Industry Development Program has provided grants of up to $180,000 to 11 organisations to deliver workshops, seminars and professional development programs for NSW Screen practitioners at various stages of their career.

Organisations were also able to apply for grants of up to $30,000 through the Audience Development Program to host festivals and tours that provide opportunities for audiences to see and experience quality screen content and innovative practice.

The funding is geared to driving a sustainable, world-class screen industry where enthusiastic audiences engage with exceptional screen content.

Initiatives include access and inclusion masterclasses, mentoring programs, workshops supporting the development of under-represented screenwriting talent and significant networking opportunities at industry conferences.

This targeted funding has helped reach new audiences through Cinewest, the Bangalow Film Festival and the Perfect Light Film Festival in Broken Hill.

Antenna Documentary Film Festival and Artistic Director David Rokach said the funding is a significant investment in the NSW screen industry and audiences.

“Screen NSW has been an important supporter of Antenna, enabling us to maintain a quality screening program, while making documentary films more accessible to a wider audience,” Mr Rokach said.

“Thanks to the Industry Development Program grants, we were also able to run activities alongside the festival that support and stimulate local documentary filmmakers.”

View the full list of funding recipients here.