Screen Australia has today announced that it’s launched the First Nations Game Studio Fund, a new initiative designed to support local game studios led by First Nations developers.
Through the fund, up to two studios are set to receive a boost of $150,000 each per year, for two years, in order to strengthen their business. Applications for the fund are open now, and applicants must be studios currently in operation and will need to have leadership and creative control primarily by First Nations people.
Applications for the fund are set to close at 5PM AEST on Thursday, June 1st and interested studios can view the guidelines and submit an application right here.
Screen Australia is pleased to announce the First Nations Game Studio fund has launched today, to support games studios led by First Nations game developers ? https://t.co/AcpPP0eUBk
— ScreenAustralia (@ScreenAustralia) May 7, 2023
“The First Nations Game Studio fund is the first of its kind on a national scale and we are proud to further our commitment to supporting First Nations creatives in telling authentic stories across so many platforms for the screen,” said Head of First Nations at Screen Australia, Angela Bates in the accompanying press release. “It is a fantastic opportunity for First Nations game studios to build their businesses and create games that will cut through and establish a place within this billion-dollar global industry.”
Lee Naimo, Screen Australia’s Head of Online added, “This fund aims to respond to the significant opportunity that is presented by First Nations game makers already engaged in building sustainable studios in Australia and will enable these teams to grow and solidify their businesses while maintaining their creative output. We are thrilled to be launching this new fund, which represents a strong area of priority for Screen Australia’s games funding.”
Support for the local development scene has seen a lot of activity in recent months, with the Australian Government’s renewal of the $12 million Interactive Games Fund, and Screen Australia’s own $1.5 million Games: Expansion Pack fund.
