02 11 2020 - Media release Screenwest and Screen Australia Launch Out Now Initiative
Out Now
Screenwest and Screen Australia are excited to launch Out Now, an initiative for original scripted LGBTQIA web series. Applications are now open.
Do you have a bisexual vampire genre romance? Awesome! Or, maybe you have a lesbian time-travel drama? Great! What about a children's show about a mischievous puppy with two mums? Cute! Think outside the box and stretch the bounds of LGBTQIA stories on screen.
Out Now is the first Australian scripted funding initiative open exclusively to LGBTQIA web series proposals. Screenwest with the support of Lotterywest has teamed up with Screen Australia and is looking for projects to cut through on an online platform, from LGBTQIA Western Australian creative teams keen to shape the future of LGBTQIA storytelling. Applications close on Monday 25 January at 5:00pm AWST.
In line with Screenwest's current Indigenous Screen Strategy, Out Now will support at least one project with an Indigenous writer and director attached.
Screenwest will be assisted by Western Australia's Centre for Stories to source and develop LGBTQIA stories and talent, and connect creatives together. A networking and information session about the initiative will be held at Connections Nightclub in Northbridge on 2nd December 2020 at 6:00pm AWST.
We are incredibly excited to collaborate with Screen Australia on this initiative. There has been a real push for more authentic storytelling from LGBTQIA writers and directors, explained Chantal Chateauneuf, Interim Talent Development Manager at Screenwest.
Our aim is to uncover unique stories that will resonate with international audiences online. We believe we have an amazing talent pool of LGBTQIA creatives in WA, and we're excited to be part of the push for #OwnVoices storytelling in Australia, said Screenwest Production Assistant and originator of the initial idea for the initiative, Stephanie Cole.
Online series are a fantastic way for emerging creatives to kick start their careers and connect with a wide audience. We are looking forward to this initiative not only bringing more authentic LGBTQIA stories to screens, but that we will also have the chance to connect with and foster emerging creatives in Western Australia. We are thrilled to be partnering with Screenwest and look forward to unearthing new and compelling LGBTQIA stories, said Screen Australia's Senior Online Investment Manager Lee Naimo.
FUNDING AVAILABLE Six applications will be shortlisted and receive $2,000 in development funding. These six shortlisted teams will then take part in a series of development workshops to get their projects in the best shape possible to apply for production funding.
Following the development workshops, up to three of the shortlisted applicants will receive up to $100,000 per project in further production funding from Screenwest and Screen Australia.
Teams applying for funding must:
Be a Western Australian resident filmmaking team (producer, writer, director).
Have an LGBTQIA identifying writer and director attached.
If applying for the Indigenous strand, two out of three key creatives (writer/director/producer) must identify as Indigenous. One of these key creatives must be the writer.
Be able to complete the series within one year of the date of their contract (including projects that contain animation or CGI).
Have a separate producer and director attached to the project. Submissions with director/producer applicants will not be eligible.
The project must also be episodic (a minimum of two episodes) and no longer than 30 minutes in total length. For full guidelines please visit here.
Uncovering Diverse Stories Screenwest will work in partnership with the Centre for Stories to connect filmmakers with diverse and talented storytellers to bring together creative teams. The partnership will focus on uncovering untold stories which could become the foundations of these exciting new screen projects.
The Out Now initiative is designed to represent LGBTQIA stories on screen, however it is important to represent a variety of voices and stories in authentic and engaging ways.
Centre for Stories will attend the networking session on 2 December 2020.
Networking and Information Session Date: 2 December 2020
Time: 6:00pm 8:00pm
Where: Connections Nightclub, 81 James Street Perth.
Price: Free
RSVP/Registration: Registration deadline and details on how to register here
We strongly encourage all creatives who are interested in applying to the Out Now initiative to come along to the info session. The event will be an opportunity for creators to network, build their project teams, and learn how to craft a web-series that stands out.
Please note that this event will not be streamed online. For more information about the event, please contact the program manager.
HOW TO APPLY The full guidelines, application materials and eligibility criteria are available on the Production Funding page of the Screenwest website.
All program guidelines are to be read in conjunction with the Screenwest Terms of Trade.
Applications will be accepted through the Screenwest SmartyGrants Portal.
An application receipt will be forwarded to the applicant within two working days to confirm that Screenwest has received the application. It is the applicant's responsibility to contact Screenwest if an application receipt has not been received within this timeframe.
Applications close Monday 25 January at 5:00pm AWST.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES Alexandra Biddle | Head of Communications, Screenwest
61 8 6169 2106 | [email protected]creenwest.com.au
Media enquiries Amy Burgess | Senior Publicist
61 2 8113 5800 | 61 413 190 195 | [email protected]
Lidia Williams | Publicist and Events Officer
61 2 8113 1091 | 61 468 784 170 |
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
08/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
08/05/2026
Liberty University on why broadcast technology isn't just a technical invest...
08/05/2026
COW Jobs: UGC, On-Camera Video Content
Brie Clayton May 7, 2026
0 Comments
UGC, On-Camera Video Content
April 17, 2026Documentary Editor - US,......
07/05/2026
Journalists reporting on Sudan are working in one of the most complex and fast-m...
07/05/2026
Multi-year partnership positions Victory+ as a free home for Dallas Cowboys orig...
07/05/2026
From sideline reporting to directing and producing, the talented sophomore is building a well-rounded foundation for a career in live sports production
In the ...
07/05/2026
Cobalt Digital has received two Future Best of Show awards at NAB Show 2026. The COBALT blueCORE platform was recognized by TV Tech, and the COBALT PACIFIC ULL-...
07/05/2026
ESPN analyst Mina Kimes will host the televised semifinals and finals of the 202...
07/05/2026
Bitmovin has announced that MUBI, the global film streaming platform, has selected Bitmovin as its cloud VOD encoding partner. Bitmovin's encoding infrastru...
07/05/2026
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises and the U.S. Soccer Federation have announced...
07/05/2026
Angel City Football Club (ACFC) and Victory have announced a regional broadcast partnership bringing live match coverage to fans across the greater Los Angeles...
07/05/2026
Spiideo has announced the launch of AI Highlights inside Spiideo Play, its automated sports production platform. AI Highlights combines video, event data, audio...
07/05/2026
Leostream Corporation has announced a unified remote access ecosystem for high-p...
07/05/2026
The Atlanta Dream has partnered with Victory to stream all locally broadcast Dream games for free, expanding the team's digital distribution strategy and g...
07/05/2026
Riedel Communications has announced the appointment of Marc Engroff as Chief Fin...
07/05/2026
SES and ARD, Germany's largest public broadcasting network, have announced a long-term extension of their satellite distribution partnership through 2039. U...
07/05/2026
UpLight Technologies delivers a flexible video and lighting system for a new televised sportLaunching the Pro Cheer League required more than creating a compell...
07/05/2026
Full Day Productions and GSE Worldwide have announced Spikes Under the Lights, a...
07/05/2026
Seit dem Start im Jahr 2023 hat DJ (Beta) das personalisierte H rerlebnis von 94...
07/05/2026
Da quando stata presentata nel 2023, DJ (beta) ha aiutato a definire un'esperienza d'ascolto pi personalizzata per 94 milioni di utenti Spotify Premi...
07/05/2026
Since launching in 2023, DJ (beta) has helped shape a more personalized listenin...
07/05/2026
Desde o lan amento em 2023, o DJ (beta) j ajudou a deixar a experi ncia de ouvi...
07/05/2026
From our earliest days, Spotify has been built on a simple principle: Great audio should be easy to reach. It's what's driven us to expand from music to...
07/05/2026
Asian and Pacific Islander artists continue to shape the global soundscape, pushing creative boundaries and connecting with fans worldwide. This Asian & Pacific...
07/05/2026
Company announce long-requested choir instrument
In the latest expansion of their Symphonic Elements series, UJAM have introduced an all-new vocal instrumen...
07/05/2026
Modular-inspired sound generation with digital control
Buchla have introduced Ziggy, a new compact synthesizer built around the company's complex oscill...
07/05/2026
Combines analogue voices with digital synthesis and sequencing
Polyend have announced Drums, a new hybrid analogue and digital drum machine that combines sy...
07/05/2026
Control surface now officially supports four DAWs
When Nektar launched the Panorama CS12 control surface, it worked exclusively with Apple's Logic Pro, ...
07/05/2026
In the first quarter 2026, SGL Carbon generated consolidated sales of 184.5 million, which was 49.8 million, or 21.3%, lower than in the prior year (Q1 2025: ...
07/05/2026
Rohde & Schwarz and Greenerwave achieve precise and fast ESA antenna characteriz...
07/05/2026
Two multi-role L3Harris products - the Red Wolf launched effects vehicle and SK...
07/05/2026
L3Harris will be developing key features of a secure and resilient digital infra...
07/05/2026
Alysa Liu and Shohei Ohtani Help Drive Viewership as 91 of the Top 100 Broadcast...
07/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/05/2026
Cobalt Digital Wins Two Future Best of Show Awards at 2026 NAB Show
Manufacturer Recognized by TV Tech and TVBEurope for Innovation in signal processing
Cobal...
07/05/2026
Software and hardware platforms, AI power and user-friendliness on show...
07/05/2026
Intinor will demonstrate its latest technical enhancements for the Direkt series at BroadcastAsia 2026. With a continued focus on reliable contribution and remo...
07/05/2026
Bitmovin has announced that MUBI has chosen Bitmovin as its cloud VOD encoding partner, replacing MUBI's legacy on premises encoding setup to improve scalab...
07/05/2026
Meet Graduates from Berklees Class of 2026 Members of this years graduating class reflect on their proudest moments at Berklee and look ahead to whats next.
...
07/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
07/05/2026
At BroadcastAsia 2026, Interra Systems will demonstrate its latest innovations in automated quality control (QC), real-time monitoring, and captioning. The comp...
07/05/2026
At this year's Broadcast Asia, PlayBox Neo is set to unveil recent innovations across its PlayBox Neo Suite and integrated range of broadcast media solution...
02 11 2020 - Media release Screenwest and Screen Australia Launch Out Now Initiative 
