Screen NSW to Fast Track fresh voices

Screen NSW is looking to fast-track the careers of new creative voices in NSW, with applications now open for Short to Feature Fast Track Initiative.

The initiative, which returns for a third year in 2025, supports emerging to mid-level NSW creatives with production funding to produce a short film or proof of concept, as well as script development funds for a low budget feature film. This year up to three creative teams will be supported and each team will receive up to $75,000 in funding. Each creative team must include one member from Screen NSW’s priority areas. The successful teams will also be allocated an experienced, NSW-based Executive Producer by Screen NSW to provide guidance across both production of the short film and script development.

As part of the three-year NSW Screen & Digital Games Strategy, Screen NSW commits to nurturing new ideas and talent to ensure NSW leads the way in making enriching, high calibre stories and cultural content for local and global audiences. The initiative will assist creative teams in honing their skills and expand their professional networks, as well as accelerate projects towards financing and production.

This is the third year of Short to Feature Fast Track Initiative, with seven teams supported through the program across 2023 and 2024. Alumni of the initiative are already screening their projects to the public, with 2023 supported short film Luna And The Brain Tuna premiering at SXSW Sydney 2024 in the Screen Festival. The initiative has also attracted notable Executive Producers to work with successful creative teams including Causeway Films co-founder Kristina Ceyton, Macgowan Film’s Marian Macgowan and Liz Watts, who is currently Head of Film and Television (AUS) at See-Saw Films. Marc Wooldridge, Founder and Managing Director for Maslow Entertainment, the distribution company behind Australian features including Talk To Me, Late Night With The Devil and The Correspondent, will return as an assessor for the program.

Applications for Stage 1 will close on Monday 15 September at 5pm.

Please visit the Short to Feature Fast Track page for more information, including full guidelines, and to apply.

Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said: 

“The Short to Feature Fast Track Initiative is a fantastic way Screen NSW helps to elevate fresh NSW filmmaking talent and provide necessary support to develop their strong and distinctive creative voices.

“Short films are a fantastic way for emerging creatives to cut their teeth and sharpen their creative and practical skills and can be used as a calling card to attract further funding for their projects.  This vital funding will support the next wave of screen creatives in NSW as they embark on their career in the screen industry and I look forward to seeing their progress.”

Short to Feature Fast Track 2024 Recipient Liam Heyen of Mad Ones Films said: 

“Screen NSW’s Short to Feature Fast Track Initiative fills a gap we had been discussing at Mad Ones regarding a lack of career-escalation opportunities for filmmakers working towards directing their first feature. When the initiative opened again in 2024, it was perfect timing for us as we’d been cooking up a short film called Incorruptible - written and directed by the immensely talented Vanessa Gazy who we last worked with in 2017 on the short film Shiloh.

“In Incorruptible Vanessa has crafted a thrilling and provocative short film with four outstanding performances from some of Australia’s most exciting young actors. We're proud to have assembled a number of brilliant NSW-based creatives together to bring the story to life - including DOP Grégoire Lière, Production Designer Alicia Clements, Costume Designer Genevieve Graham and Casting Director Danny Long. The initiative was also a brilliant opportunity for us to get to know Kristina Ceyton from Causeway Films, who was our Executive Producer.  “We're excited to have just finished Incorruptible and are looking forward to the journey to come with The Wanting.”

 Image: INCORRUPTIBLE. Credit: Grégoire Lière