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SAFC and ABC launch First Look grant program to accelerate South Australian screen projects
24 August 2026
The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) and the ABC have today announced the ABC First Look – Early Development Grant, a new initiative designed to support South Australian creatives in developing bold, distinct and original screen projects for the ABC.
The competitive new grant program provides early-stage development funding for screen projects created by South Australian writers, directors and producers, with the goal of progressing projects towards ABC committed development and future production opportunities.
The initiative is focused on uncovering distinctive Australian stories with the potential to resonate with audiences both locally across ABC platforms, and internationally. Successful applicants will receive up to $50,000 for scripted projects, including children’s content, and up to $25,000 for unscripted projects, as well as direct feedback from ABC commissioners to help refine concepts and strengthen their pathway to market.
The new development grant is supported through the existing ABC SAFC Content Pipeline Fund, which since its launch in 2023 has supported a growing slate of high quality ABC productions in South Australia including critically acclaimed crime drama Treasure & Dirt, Logie Award nominated Top End Bub and the upcoming third season of comedy hit Austin, as well as period drama Ladies in Black, children’s series Beep and Mort S2, factual series Eat the Invaders and documentary KUMARANGK: Sacred Women’s Business, set to premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival 2026 ahead of its ABC release.
The exciting new First Look initiative further cements the SAFC’s successful production partnership with the national broadcaster, creating new opportunities for South Australian writers, directors and producers, and new pathways to production for South Australian screen stories.
Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Kyam Maher MLC said: “The Labor Government is proud to back this exciting SAFC initiative supporting the development of new, homegrown South Australian TV programs for the ABC. It builds on the success of the existing ABC SAFC Content Pipeline Fund, which since its launch three years ago has injected more than $41 million into the state’s economy and created more than 1,500 jobs for local crew, cast and creatives, ensuring South Australian voices and talent are front and centre on the national stage. I can’t wait to see even more bold and original South Australian stories on our screens.”
SAFC Acting CEO Leanne Saunders said: “The SAFC’s ongoing partnership with the national broadcaster through the ABC SAFC Content Pipeline Fund has already brought an incredible slate of new South Australian stories to the screen including crime drama Treasure & Dirt, filmed in Coober Pedy with SA producer Rebecca Summerton, 2026 Logie Award nominated Top End Bub, co-created by SA’s Joshua Tyler, and the upcoming third season of comedy series Austin, set in Adelaide. We’re proud to build on that sector growth with this new development initiative, which will create even more opportunities for our state’s talented writers, directors and producers to develop distinctive, ambitious projects with a clear pathway to ABC audiences.”
ABC Director of Screen Jennifer Collins said: “The ABC First Look – Early Development Grant gives South Australian creatives the opportunity to develop original ideas and connect with ABC commissioners early in the creative process. Through our longstanding partnership with the SAFC, this initiative helps nurture promising concepts and create pathways to future commissioning opportunities with the ABC. South Australia is home to a wealth of creative talent, and we’re proud to support local storytellers as they develop distinctive Australian stories that can connect with audiences across the country.”
Applications for the ABC First Look Early Development Grant open via the SAFC website on 14 September, 2026. Potential applicants should register for the free online information session to be held on 14 September, in which ABC Head of Scripted Rachel Okine, ABC Head of Children and Family Melinda Wearne and ABC Head of Documentary and Specialist Susie Jones will talk through the application process and ABC commissioning priorities.
For further information, visit the SAFC website safilm.com.au/funding-programs#abcfirstlook