Screen Australia have released the draft guidelines for their new interactive and multi-platform programs that will commit $30 million worth of funding for the next 3 years with $12 million assigned within the first 12 months. Screen Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, Fiona Cameron, outlines the potential for the growing gaming sector and how these new programs can assist local games developers in taking advantage of that...
(Cameron) Games are growing faster than any other entertainment sector and Australian developers have had extraordinary global cut through as demonstrated by the success of home-grown games such as Real Racing, Fruit Ninja and LA Noir...
The pressure facing the industry is job migration and falling foreign investment. These programs released in draft today go a long way towards realising a strong and sustainable Australian games development sector, to ensure we tap into the huge global appetite for interactive entertainment.
Screen Australia proposes to distribute funding in the first 12 months through these programs:
- $4–5 million through Games Production, supporting games developers to produce individual games
- $2–3 million through Games Enterprise, supporting games development businesses to develop and enhance their sustainability, as well as fund ongoing development of their games projects
- $2–3 million through Multi-platform Drama Production, supporting individual multi-platform drama projects including innovative broadcast and online projects; targeted funds will also support multi-platform extensions for appropriate Screen Australia–funded film and television projects
- up to $2 million through Signature Documentary, expanded with an additional $500,000 to incorporate interactive and multi-platform projects as well as distinctive linear projects, supporting bold documentary storytelling for online and mobile platforms as well as big-screen film festivals
- approximately $400,000 for sector development and special initiatives.
Minister for the Arts, Simon Crean, is pleased with the industry involvement in the consultation process which helped guide the formation of these new programs...
I’m delighted the industry consultation process has generated so many innovative ideas around the ways to foster interactive and multi-platform content. It will ensure the great local talent in the industry continues to have a competitive advantage.
The draft for the new programs are available now for download on the Screen Australia website. Comments and feedback on the draft can be sent to feedback@screenaustralia.gov.au until the 1st of March, 2013.