The Australian government has announced the 58 projects selected for Screen Australia’s Gender Matters: Brilliant Stories and Brilliant Careers. The selections include 45 story ideas and 13 industry projects led by Australian women, which will share in more than $3 million of funding.
Divided into two sections, the program focuses on Brilliant Stories, where “funds enable the creative teams to fast-track the development of their creative concept,” and Brilliant Careers, where funds are for “the implementation of business proposals to tangibly grow careers and create work opportunities for female screen makers.”
“Gender Matters is unashamedly providing express-lane access to female business ideas and stories. The funding boost provided by Screen Australia has been a game-changer, providing the industry with an opportunity to get behind some very commercial and creative prospects. It’s now time for action,” said Fiona Cameron, Screen Australia Chief Operating Officer.
Gender Matters Task Force Chair Deanne Weir added, “What is significant is not just the number of applications we have been able to attract and support, but that the Gender Matters program has opened up funding opportunities for applicants who might otherwise fall outside of the established structures.”
As an example of those types of applicants, Weir referenced the fact that nearly 20 percent of those selected for the Brilliant Stories section would be ineligible for Screen Australia development funding because they do not have “that magic first professional credit.”
“Although there are good reasons for these checks and balances,” she continued, “by opening the door a little wider, Screen Australia is showing faith in the potential of many female filmmakers. I absolutely believe that the opportunities being created today will have a resounding effect on our screen industry for many years to come.”
In Australia, just 32 percent of women work as producers, 23 percent as writers and only 16 percent as directors. Gender Matters was created in December 2015 as a direct response to that imbalance.
For more details on the selected projects, head over to Screen Australia.
