Groundbreaking First Nations Screen Business Accelerator launched through national partnership

Groundbreaking First Nations Screen Business Accelerator launched through national partnership 1 July 2026

Image credit: A Grief Encounter

A landmark collaboration between Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), Screen Australia and No Coincidence Media, will deliver a newly designed First Nations Screen Business Accelerator supported by Screen Canberra, Screen NSW, Screen Queensland, Screen Tasmania, Screen Territory, Screenwest, South Australian Film Corporation and VicScreen.

This marks the first time these key organisations have come together to invest in a coordinated, national approach to elevate First Nations screen businesses.

The First Nations Screen Business Accelerator is a bold new initiative designed to support emerging and mid-career Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander producers to elevate their projects and production companies to the next level.

The business accelerator will provide participants with access to industry-leading mentorship, and targeted business development support delivered through a culturally informed approach that reflects Indigenous ways of doing business within the realities of the contemporary screen industry.

This collaboration represents a significant step forward in strengthening the First Nations screen ecosystem by aligning investment, expertise and opportunity across federal and state levels, through an industry-led, nationally coordinated approach.

The business accelerator will focus on building sustainable creative businesses and equipping participants with the skills, frameworks and support to scale their work for both national and international markets. Participants may benefit from pathways to finance and market opportunities, as well as tailored support through IBA.

IBA has a history of successful Accelerator programs with both a general business and tourism focus. They note this new initiative reflects a shared commitment to economic empowerment through storytelling:

This partnership recognises that First Nations producers are not only powerful storytellers, but entrepreneurs and business leaders. By supporting their business growth, we are strengthening the foundations of a more resilient and sustainable First Nations screen sector, said Sean Armistead, Deputy CEO, IBA.

Screen Australia Director of First Nations Strategy Rachel Perkins said, To succeed in the screen industry, creativity needs to be matched with strong business foundations. Backed by national and state partners, this initiative creates that support - ensuring the next generation of Indigenous production companies have the business scaffolding to build sustainable careers and bring their stories to the screen.

No Coincidence Media, which will play a key role in designing and delivering the program, emphasised the importance of First Nations-led design:

No Coincidence Media is proud to lead the First Nations Screen Business Accelerator, drawing on our experience in the industry and our commitment to a First Nations-led lens as our foundation.

This program responds to a clear need in the sector supporting the next generation of producers to build sustainable businesses, strengthen their business acumen, and ensure our stories continue to be told our way, said Mitch Stanley, Producer, No Coincidence Media.

Applications now open. Please visit: www.iba.gov.au/First-Nations-Screen-Business-Accelerator.

Media contact: Tara Toohill 02 9207 6362 or tara.toohill@iba.gov.au

About IBA

Economic independence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is at the heart of what we do. Our programs support Indigenous Australians to buy their own homes, be successful in business, and invest in commercial ventures that provide strong financial returns. IBA was established under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 (ATSI Act) and is a corporate Commonwealth entity for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act). IBA resides in the portfolio of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and is accountable to the Australian Parliament through the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy. www.iba.gov.au

About Screen Australia

Screen Australia is the Australian Federal Government agency charged with supporting the development, production and promotion of Australian narrative, documentary and children's content, across television, feature films, online and games. Screen Australia also administers Australia's Official Co-production program, in addition to the Producer Offset incentive. The agency provides a broad range of resources and opportunities to the industry including access to research, market intelligence and special initiatives. For more information visit www.screenaustralia.gov.au

About No Coincidence Media

No Coincidence Media (NCM) is an Independent First Nations media company that produces and develops raw, cutting edge and signature feature films, documentaries and television. The team aim to reshape Australian film and television by showcasing the strengths of First Nations' Writers, Directors and Actors through storytelling, strengthening the country's diverse identity, and entertaining a wider audience through filmmaking. www.nocmedia.com.au

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