Screen Australia has introduced three new funding opportunities for Australian independent gamemakers, backed by the Federal Government’s National Cultural Policy. The programs include the Games Production Fund, the Emerging Gamemakers Fund, and the Future Leaders Delegation.
Games Production Fund: This fund supports independent games with budgets up to $500,000. It provides grants of up to $100,000 to help games reach significant development milestones, such as release, early access, or prototype polishing.
Emerging Gamemakers Fund: This fund offers grants of up to $30,000 for the development of original projects from Australian independent gamemakers. It’s aimed at emerging creators, diverse voices, and those interested in artistic experimentation.
Future Leaders Delegation: This program provides up to $8,000 and support to five individuals to attend Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2024 in San Francisco. It offers early-to-mid career gamemakers the opportunity to seek professional opportunities and build industry relationships.
These initiatives replace Screen Australia’s Games: Expansion Pack program and are part of a commitment to support the Australian games industry. Applications for the first rounds of funding are open, with deadlines ranging from November 9 to November 30, 2023.
Graeme Mason, CEO of Screen Australia, expressed the organization’s commitment to nurturing the Australian indie games community and encouraged independent gamemakers to seize this opportunity.
The announcement reflects the growth and transformation of the Australian digital games industry, with the previous Games: Expansion Pack program having supported diverse projects from emerging talents to industry experts.
The programs are in line with the Federal Government’s National Cultural Policy, which has allocated $12 million over four years for dedicated digital games funding through Screen Australia.
Interested parties can attend an online webinar to learn more about the new funds and ask questions. The webinar will be held on October 12, 2023, and will also be recorded for those unable to attend.
