Calling all talented emerging filmmakers: Springboard is open for applications

10 October 2012 By Screen Australia

Screen Australia's Springboard Program, which provides talented emerging filmmakers with the opportunity to create a fully-funded short film, is now open for applications.

Springboard’s aim is to escalate new filmmakers along the pathway towards making their first feature film, by supporting them to create a short film that speaks directly to their feature film screenplay, providing a strong showcase into the marketplace.

Springboard is about career building for the long term, providing an essential stepping-stone in a professional filmmaking career path. The program is proving to be successful for many participating filmmakers. Director Zak Hilditch’s Springboard short film Transmission has won numerous awards including Best Short Film at the 2012 St Kilda Film Festival and is also nominated for Best Short Film at the 2012 AACTA Awards. Transmisson was Zak’s calling card to his first feature film These Final Hours, which will begin production this month in Western Australia.

Director Grant Scicluna’s Springboard short film The Wilding has screened at over 25 festivals this year, commencing with its world premiere at this year’s Berlinale.

The latest Springboard program will commence in late February, early March 2013 and will once again be convened by Paul Welsh. Paul is a developer and executive producer of over 50 short films commissioned by Creative Scotland, UK Film Council, BBC Scotland and Channel 4 and is a producer on director Cate Shortland’s feature film Lore.