Screen Australia reveals plans for its $1.2 million development fund

Screen Australia recently unveiled plans to allocate a $1.2 million of Story Development fund toward 19 feature films, 10 television dramas and three online projects. “We are excited about this distinctive mix of projects and the range of audiences and markets they intend to serve. We are proud to support creatives as they expand their body of work across a range of platforms and formats," Screen Australia’s Head of Development Louise Gough said. "This includes debut feature films from Jack Dowdell, a 2019 Developing the Developer recipient, and writer/director Bradley Slabe who created the award-winning short film Lost & Found.”

This slate includes 19 projects supported through the Generate Fund and 13 through the Premium Fund. The projects include Moja Vesna writer/director Sara Kern’s new feature film "A Way Away," children’s sci-fi animated series "Combatoms" and "Just Chidi Things" from writer/producer/lead actor Chika Ikogwe, producer Ana Tiwary and executive producer Rose Byrne.

“We love seeing Online creators taking advantage of the opportunities we provide to incorporate development into their project plans," Screen Australia’s Head of Online Lee Naimo said. "It’s great that the creative team behind the hugely-popular TikTok and YouTube series The Formal will no doubt be growing their already enthusiastic following with new series Kick It, as well as Nicholas Colla and Nicolette Minster from Deadbeat Ends Meet teaming up with emerging creators. We encourage more online creators to talk to us early about Screen Australia’s development support.”

Joining Screen Australia’s Development Unit is Development Executive Tanya Mukerjee who started last month. Tanya has previously worked in the corporate sector as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead, at BBC Television in London as a Diversity & Inclusion Specialist, Executive Manager at Creative Diversity Network, which saw her work across the UK television broadcaster and production sectors, and at ITV as Diversity Partnerships Manager. Tanya also previously worked as a Script Editor on programs such as Fireflies and in script roles on Water Rats and McLeod’s Daughters and brings a wealth of story and sector knowledge to the role.