Stan and Film Victoria are challenging Victorian based writers and producers to deliver fresh ideas for new Australian narrative comedy series, rom-coms and comedy-dramas to premiere on Australia’s leading homegrown streaming platform.
The Stan and Film Victoria Comedy Fund will initially provide funding to up to four Victorian writers or writer/producer teams to deliver a 30-minute pilot script and series outline. The teams will be given the opportunity to participate in a workshop with a preeminent comedy writer to build their concepts into a pilot.
This comedy initiative marks the second year of The Stan and Film Victoria Development Fund, a two-year development initiative aimed at discovering new perspectives and fresh, original stories, leveraging local and global audience demand for premium content. The fund is open to up-and-coming creative talent, as well as established players in the industry.
Nick Forward, Stan’s Chief Content Officer, said: “We had an outstanding response to the Stan and Film Victoria Development Fund for premium drama projects last year and are thrilled to continue our partnership with Film Victoria in 2020.
“As Australia’s leader in local production investment, our focus is always firmly set on finding the next must-watch Stan Original Series and we’re expecting big things from Victoria’s world renowned comedy community. My advice to creatives submitting their pitches this year? Go big. Be bold. And hold nothing back.”
Caroline Pitcher, Film Victoria CEO, said: “Melbourne is the home of comedy in Australia. Many of our country’s most-loved comedians got their start on stage at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival or at Melbourne’s comedy clubs and community radio stations.
“We’re excited to have partnered with Stan to find irresistible comedy ideas that have an essence that is unmistakably Australian, and which will resonate with audiences around the world.”
Applications for the Stan and Film Victoria Comedy Fund are now open and close Thursday 19 March 2020. Projects selected for commissioning consideration will be notified in May 2020.
To view the full creative brief and guidelines, visit www.film.vic.gov.au/funding/funding-for-development
