Film Australia and the New South Wales Film and Television Office recognise the need for strategic investment to enhance the health of the independent documentary and factual sector. To this end, Film Australia, in partnership with the FTO, is calling for applicants for the Hothouse Program which will be run on site at Film Australia’s Lindfield premises.

Hothouse is a two-year business development program and will provide the selected recipient with up to $100,000 in direct funding, plus $75,000 in-kind support from Film Australia in on-site production services, facilities, mentoring, training and advice with particular emphasis on developing business and marketing skills. Additional support will be provided by the AFTRS Centre for Screen Business and law firm Holding Redlich.

Applications are open now and the deadline extended, application close on COB Friday 29 February 2008.

For the full press release click here.

To download a business plan template click here.

Film Australia and NSW Film & Television Office Hothouse program for documentary and factual producers

Background:

Film Australia aims to support the development of a creative and highly skilled documentary industry in Australia through collaborative working relationships, funding initiatives and the provision of services and facilities. It provides facilities, mentoring and access to creative and commercial networks to support the development of sustainable businesses and a pathway for documentary makers into the digital future.

The mission of the New South Wales Film & Television Office (FTO) is to foster and facilitate excellence and growth in the NSW screen industry and it does so with a number of funding programs and special initiatives. The FTO’s focus is on the sustainability of the screen industry.

Film Australia and the FTO recognise the need for strategic investment to enhance the health of the independent documentary and factual sector. To this end, Film Australia and the FTO, are calling for applicants for the Hothouse Program which will be run on site at Film Australia’s Lindfield premises.

The Hothouse Program aims to:

• support entrepreneurial independent documentary producers to establish a viable business structure
• nurture and assist the expansion of the skills base in the Australian documentary production industry
• enhance the hub of creative enterprises operating at Film Australia’s premises in Lindfield, Sydney

You can download the following information as an information sheet.
 Hothouse Program (Acrobat PDF document, 449kb)

You can also download our Hothouse Scheme FAQs.
 Hothouse Program FAQs (Acrobat PDF document, 468kb)

Hothouse Program

The Hothouse program is a two-year commitment to support the successful applicants in developing their independent production company.

The applicants are expected to participate in business training and development, a mentoring program and regular performance review.

The applicants are also expected to base their business at Film Australia’s Lindfield premises for the duration of the program.

The Program provides the following package of support:

• development investment of $100,000 ($50,000 each from Film Australia and the FTO) to be cashflowed to the applicant over a period of 12 months in accordance with a pre-agreed business plan and set of key performance indicators
• mentoring by Film Australia and FTO, including introductions to broadcasters and distributors in Australia and overseas. This includes regular performance review
• facilities and services from Film Australia for a period of 24 months with an approximate value of $75,000, including:
  • a furnished and serviced office suite at Film Australia’s Lindfield premises for 24 months
  • production services and advice (financial, legal, strategic planning, sales and marketing, film library, editorial, and production expertise)
  • discounted production facilities
  • assistance with the development of a marketing plan
  • legal support in relation to company establishment and structure in association with Holding Redlich

Shortlisted applicants are expected to participate in two days of screen business skills training in association with the AFTRS Centre for Screen Business in early February 2008 (applicants will be advised by 21 December 2007 if short-listed and if so, required for the training course).

The successful applicants will be expected to continue to access project-specific development funding from other State and Federal agencies as appropriate, and to seek short-term contract work to contribute to the company’s viability and to gain further experience and credits.

Film Australia Option

Film Australia will have the first option to commission and/or distribute each project developed or partially developed by the applicant during the period of the Hothouse Program.

Recoupment

Film Australia and FTO will expect to recoup up to $10,000 each from the production budget of each project that goes into production and that was developed or partially developed during the Hothouse Program.
Neither party will expect to be reimbursed where projects do not go in to production.
In the event that a project is optioned by third parties after the conclusion of the Hothouse period, standard buy-out terms will apply.

Expected Deliverables

The successful applicant would be expected to start in early 2008 and deliver the following:

• at three months: a three-year business plan
• at six months: a report on the proposed production slate
• at nine months: a developed slate, with some projects ready for financing
• at the end of 12 months: one or two programs in production or about to proceed into production

At 12 months there would be a review of the business plan in association with Film Australia and FTO, and adjustment as required.
At the end of the two-year program it is expected there would be strong evidence of progress towards the stated objectives of the business plan.

Criteria for Selection

Applications are open to independent filmmakers, but each application must consist of a team of at least two industry professionals committed to working closely together for at least two years.

Between them, the team must have had key creative roles in at least two professionally produced and broadcast documentary projects, and preference will be given to those who have either worked together before or individually have more experience.

Applicants who can demonstrate an ability to work across a number of genres and platforms will be assessed positively.

Applicants will be required to establish a legal entity- a partnership or company.

Established companies or partnerships can apply.

Selection Procedure

Applicants are invited to submit expressions of interest in the form of a short document that establishes the creative and business skills and experience of the team (2-3 pages) and a vision for their business (2-3 pages).
The vision should address the following points:

• how you propose to create and manage an on-going development slate, including specific projects you intend to include
• how this slate will reflect and exploit existing market trends locally and internationally
• how you will take advantage of the complementary skills and experience in your team
• where you expect your business to be in three years time

We recognise that your plans may change substantially during the course of the Hothouse Program and this document is not intended to be binding or definitive. It will, however, allow us to determine your understanding of commercial realities and your ability to deliver, and it will provide the basis on which the applicants will be shortlisted and interviewed.

How to apply:

Applications should be sent to

Megan Hipwell
Executive Assistant
Film Australia
PO Box 46
Lindfield NSW 2070

Applications close COB Friday 29 February 2008

Enquiries : Megan Hipwell, 02 9413 8733
Or email: hothouse@filmaustralia.com.au