Screen Australia launches First Nations Factual Co-production Development Fund

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Screen Australia launches First Nations Factual Co-production Development Fund

20 May 2026

Behind the scenes of We Are Still Here

Screen Australia’s First Nations Department has today opened applications for the First Nations Factual Co-production Development Fund, a new national program designed to strengthen and elevate First Nations screen businesses in international markets.

Supported by the SAFC, alongside the other state screen agencies, the program will support up to five First Nations businesses to expand their global experience by fostering creative exchange between countries based on the development of factual projects that explore Indigenous perspectives of cultural significance.

Successful applicants will receive a grant of $30,000 each for both the development of two factual projects with potential for international co-production or Official Co-production (created under treaty frameworks) and attendance at Canada’s TIFF: The Market.

Screen Australia Director of First Nations Strategy Rachel Perkins said: “First Nations storytellers around the world share deep cultural connections that transcend time and place, offering powerful, diverse perspectives. This program enables those perspectives to be realised on screen, creating distinctive, high-quality factual storytelling that resonates worldwide. By developing projects for the TIFF 2026 market, we’re creating a vital pathway for First Nations stories to reach global audiences.”

First Nations-owned and operated production companies led by Indigenous practitioners are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be mid-to-established career practitioners with at least two documentary screen credits or have created 60 minutes of factual content broadcast, and be available to attend TIFF: The Market (10-16 September 2026).

Applications close 4.30pm ACST Thursday 4 June 2026. More information regarding eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found here.

Potential applicants are also encouraged to watch the recent Official Co-production Ask Me Anything session which features information on First Nations co-productions.