Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Marsha Thomson, today urged Victorian digital media artists to look at the new guidelines for the $3 million Digital Media Fund, available through Film Victoria. The Film Victoria Digital Media Fund (DMF) has financed programs to develop innovative digital content, computer game prototypes, digital animation, and create digital media internships over the last four years.
"The recent injection of funds and the revised guidelines reflect the rapid pace of change in the industry and the need to be adaptable to new technology and ideas," said Ms Thomson.
"The new DMF Programs will help strengthen Victoria as Australia's centre for digital content creation for local and international audiences, and will focus on innovation, creativity, skills development and seed funding for new products and markets."
Film Victoria CEO, Sandra Sdraulig said, "Over the last three years, the DMF has successfully supported new media projects which has created employment for artists, designers, producers and game developers with fantastic results. The new DMF guidelines will provide greater flexibility for Film Victoria to support exciting new ideas across the growing number of media platforms, and further encourage our local talent in this fast growing sector."
The new DMF guidelines include a number of changes such as:
- the Digital Animation program now supports the development of new digital media platforms such iTV, Narrowband, Broadband, DVD and wireless technology;
- the investment terms are more flexible and structured to ensure developers can attract third party investment;
- the Innovative Digital Content program has broadened to support development and low budget production; and
- the Digital Media Internships program (formerly known as the Visual FX Internships program) has been expanded to include producing for FX, game development, animation and post-production.
"We want to make sure that Victoria is well placed to take advantage of the expanding market for original content on platforms such as broadband, interactive television and mobile phones. Furthermore we want Victorian's to not only develop original content, but own the intellectual property rights," stated Ms Thomson. "The new DMF guidelines will help us to achieve these aims."
Film Victoria's Digital Media Fund is supported by the Bracks Government's 10-year industry plan to grow the Victorian ICT industry, Growing Tomorrow's Industries Today . A major goal of the State Government is to build viable industries in Victoria based on innovation and the desire to create and exploit new technologies. This includes harnessing the imagination and developing the expertise of Victoria's creative content industries to become more internationally recognised and commercially viable.
For a copy of the guidelines, go to http://www.film.vic.gov.au/dmf.shtml