Screen Queensland is leading the way as the first screen agency in Australia to develop and finance a feature film to premiere exclusively on a subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, announced Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira.
“Screen Queensland is partnering with Australian SVOD service Stan in ‘Queensland Originals’ to develop and finance a $1 million feature film,” Ms Vieira said.
“Queensland Originals is a chance for a Queensland producer and creative team (comprising writer, director or writer-director, and producer) to develop and produce a $1 million feature film, fully financed by Screen Queensland.”
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Queensland’s industry and will go far to develop our local filmmakers, employ crew and create jobs.”
“Queensland Originals creates opportunities for the best creative talent in the state to create and produce standout stories for the screen,” Ms Vieira said.
Three successful teams will be given support from concept to draft with workshops convened by New York producers Amy Hobby and Anne Hubbell, alongside feedback on concepts and guidance through the workshop process from partners Stan. One team of the three will go on to receive production, distribution and marketing support comprising a $1 million production budget, an ‘event’ theatrical and festival release and exclusive SVOD distribution through Stan.
“Stan is thrilled to partner with Screen Queensland on this great initiative to discover and develop local talent and to be the home of the first Australian SVOD-exclusive feature film commission,” Nick Forward, Stan’s Content and Product Director, said.
“Having recently wrapped production on our first original TV show No Activity, Queensland Originals is yet another key element of our ongoing strategy to develop original and unique Australian stories for the screen.”
Applications are open to experienced Queensland producers working with writers and writer-directors with no more than one feature film credit or equivalent.
Applications close 21 August, 2015. Please click here for the guidelines.
For Screen Queensland enquiries, please contact:
Hannah Fitzpatrick
Screen Queensland
T: +61 7 3248 0500
E: hfitzpatrick@screenqld.com.au
For further information about Screen Queensland’s funding programs and other incentives, visit www.screenqueensland.com.au
About Screen Queensland:
Screen Queensland supports a creative, innovative and successful screen industry through development and investment; secures production to Queensland; and delivers an active screen culture across the State.
Screen Queensland recognises the screen industry’s vital contribution to the nation’s cultural landscape including its ability to showcase Australia’s rich, cultural diversity, facilitate cultural engagement, stimulate cultural tourism and reflect the national voice and identity on screen.
Screen Queensland supports and promotes a screen industry that makes productions designed to entertain and connect with worldwide audiences. It is focused on driving the growth of the state’s screen industry and in doing so, generates broader economic, employment and cultural benefits across metropolitan and regional Queensland. screenqueensland.com.au
About Stan:
Stan is a leading subscription video-on-demand service offering unlimited access to Australia’s largest library of SVOD content, with first-run exclusives, award-winning TV shows, classic catalogue, blockbuster movies, documentaries and an exciting slate of kids content. Stan can be watched in full HD on your TV or favourite device, including tablets and smartphones. Stan recently commissioned its first original Australian production, comedy series No Activity. Stan is a joint venture between Nine Entertainment Co. and Fairfax Media. For more information visit www.stan.com.au.
About Amy Hobby and Anne Hubbell:
Amy Hobby and Anne Hubbell of Tangerine Entertainment are New York producers with experience spanning two decades. Amy built a reputation for producing awards-driven material, with films including Hamlet, Secretary, and 13 Conversations About One Thing. She has nine Sundance premieres to her credit. With Anne, a key partner of the US studio system developing company strategies and liaising with domestic and international festivals, media and arts bodies through her role with the Eastman Kodak Company as well as a screenwriter and producer with several properties, including two Sundance Lab projects, in development, she produced Gayby, nominated for a string of awards and released theatrically and on-demand in 2012.
