Direct to Audience Production Program

The Direct to Audience Production Program supports ACT creators who independently produce and release their work directly to online audiences. Eligible projects may be released on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or Facebook and must not be commissioned by a broadcaster or streaming platform.

This program is ideal for short form narrative, factual, comedy, animation and digital first content that has a clear audience and demonstrates strong creative potential.

Available Funding

Production Grants
Non recoupable grants up to $40,000

Each dollar provided is expected to meet a 1:4 Qualifying ACT Expenditure (QACTE) ratio.

Application Round Dates

The Canberra Screen and Games Fund has been fully allocated for the 2025-26 financial year, following significant and high-quality demand. Further rounds of the Canberra Screen and Games Fund are subject to future decisions of the ACT Government.

Who Can Apply

The program supports individuals and companies.

Applicants must:

Have an active ABN

Be ACT based or demonstrate clear ACT economic benefit

Hold the rights required to make and distribute the project

Have meaningful creative and or financial control

Have the capacity and resources to deliver the project

Meet Screen Canberra’s Terms of Trade

Individuals must also:

Be at least 18

Be Australian citizens or permanent residents

Not be full time students

Have at least two ACT based key creatives attached

Companies must also:

Be incorporated in Australia

Be ACT based or meet the ACT economic benefit requirement

Not be broadcasters, gambling companies or educational institutions

Project Requirements

Projects must:

Be primarily released on a direct to audience platform

Have at least two key creatives in the roles of writer, producer or director

Include at least one key creative with a credit on a comparable online project

Demonstrate an existing or clearly defined audience

Meet QACTE expectations and provide ACT economic benefit

Include a realistic budget and production schedule

Hold clear chain of title

Screen Canberra will not consider more than two submissions for the same project.

Projects involving capital purchases, retrospective costs or training programs are not eligible.

Full details are available in the Direct to Audience Production Guidelines below.

Assessment Criteria

Applications are assessed on:

Strength and originality of the story

The team’s experience and suitability

Audience potential and evidence of engagement

Feasibility of the budget and methodology

Appropriateness of the finance plan for the project scale

Expected ACT economic and creative impact

Other factors include diversity, inclusion and environmental sustainability.

Assessment generally takes 8 to 12 weeks.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Screen Canberra SmartyGrants portal.

Applicants must provide:

A proposal or pitch deck

A production budget using the required template

A production schedule

A finance plan and supporting documentation

A business impact and success metrics document

Rights documentation

Full details are available in the Direct to Audience Production Guidelines below.

First Nations Content

Projects involving First Nations stories or participation must follow appropriate consultation and cultural protocols. Evidence of consultation and consent is required.