Investment & Support

SQ/SBS Unscripted Short Form Content initiative


June 13, 2018

Queensland filmmakers from diverse backgrounds are being given the opportunity to produce unscripted short-form content for SBS On Demand under a new partnership between Screen Queensland (SQ) and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).

The SQ/SBS Short Form Content initiative provides funding for up to three early-to-mid career diverse* filmmaking teams to produce unscripted content suitable for online audiences.

Unscripted content can be factual, food, factual entertainment or entertainment ideas. All ideas must reflect and explore SBS’s Charter of cultural diversity in Australia.

In the first round of applications for the Unscripted Short Form Content initiative, up to five (5) teams will be selected to develop their concepts in a development workshop with SQ and SBS.

Up to three (3) teams will then be commissioned to produce their pieces of unscripted short form content, which can include factual, food, factual entertainment or entertainment ideas.

Each successful filmmaking team will receive up to $30,000 to produce 5 -15 minutes of content.

To apply:

  1. Read the guidelines in conjunction with Screen Queensland’s terms of trade, paying special attention to the eligibility and assessment criteria for the fund. You must pass all eligibility and strongly satisfy all assessment criteria to have a competitive application. Incomplete, late and ineligible applications will not be assessed.
  2. Contact Screen Queensland’s Content team to discuss your application. Email content@screenqld.com.au or phone (07) 3248 0500.
  3. Complete the application form at http://screenqueensland.smartygrants.com.au/ and submit by 5pm Monday 16th July 2018. An automated email will be sent to you within 30 minutes of your submission to indicate Screen Queensland has received your submission. It is your responsibility as applicant to contact Screen Queensland if you do not receive an application receipt email.
  4. Shortlisted applicants will be notified in early August and will be required to take part in interviews with SQ and SBS 14 August 2018 (date TBC).
  5. Up to five teams will be selected to take part in development workshops and all applicants will be notified of final outcomes in late August.

Due to the volume of applications, individual feedback will not be available for unsuccessful applicants.

* For the purpose of the SQ and SBS Unscripted Short Form Content initiative, diversity is recognised as “differences in gender; age; Aboriginal identity; cultural and linguistic diversity (CaLD); disability; sexuality and gender identities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+); location (including regional and remote regions) and socio-economic status”