Platform /
Developing passion projects process
On average, developing a film takes half a decade. Five years ago Corona was a beer, TikTok was Musical.ly and Apple released films on iTunes. To keep pace with audiences and industry, filmmakers must upgrade their projects as well as their creative process too.
Supported by Screen NSW, the WeirAnderson Foundation, Andrew Cameron AM & Cathy Cameron, For Film’s Sake and the Sydney Film Festival return with Platform – a unique suite of talent development programs designed to give filmmakers experiential access to global market trends and insights.
In its second year Platform expands to two unique initiatives – Platform: Lab, a rapid development incubator for emerging and established screen producers and multidisciplinary creatives. Guided by international industry leaders, twelve Australian creatives will collaborate, create and pitch new works of screen fiction in just one week. Maybe it will lead to a new project or a future partnership or maybe it will be an intensive, inductive and iterative exploration into new creative processes better suited to our digital age. Platform: Lab will be delivered by UK creator of the BFI Producer Programme Samm Haillay and South African Realness Institute and Torino Film Lab script consultant Mmabatho Kau.
Platform: Margins will select up to four script editors/producers from across Australia to work alongside Belvoir Street Theatre playwrights as they adapt their plays to screenplay format. Over five days editors will develop story, market and audience insights to better support writers develop their script and story materials. Margins will culminate in a workshopped reading with actors drawn from the Belvoir fellows and associates. Margins will be delivered by FFS Executive Director Sophie Mathisen and Associate Professor Chris Mead, Head of Theatre, VCA, Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, University of Melbourne. Guests will include Robin Mukherjee, playwright and UK screenwriter of Cate Shortland’s award-winning feature Lore, Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo, producer of Netflix’s award-winning series Top Boy and 2023’s Disney+ breakout Rye Lane and Marten Rabarts, former Artistic Director of the Binger Institute, EYE Netherlands and NZIFF.
Applications are currently open and close on the 19th of May. Shortlisted applicants will be notified on the 20th of May with interviews taking place that week. Selected candidates will be announced on the 24th of May. All selected candidates will be offered accommodation, lunches and tickets to festival screenings and events as part of the program. Interstate, regional or remote participants may apply for travel support via a limited access bursary for those experiencing financial hardship.
Platform Dates: 10-15th June 2024
Venue: SFF Festival Venues, Belvoir Street Theatre
Margins Workshop: Friday 14th June
Lab Pitches: Saturday 15th June
Applications have now closed.
Program Partners
Platform: Lab
After its first inaugural year resulted in new grants, attachments and even an AACTA award, Platform returns to the Sydney Film Festival offering Australian creatives an unparalleled challenge: form a new partnership, generate a new project, develop and pitch it to local and international industry – all in just one week. Supported by international producers and guest filmmakers of the 71st Sydney Film Festival, Platform: Lab is an experience in development unlike any other.
Applicants must either be producers or other creatives – writers, directors, performers or anything in between. No professional credits are required however applicants must demonstrate why they feel this is experience is right for them at this time and how they would meaningfully contribute to the spirit and process of the lab.
Applications have now closed.
Platform: Margins
In its second year, Platform expands to deliver the first incubator for Australian script editors. Selected from a national callout, four development professionals will work alongside Belvoir playwriting fellows to adapt their existing play scripts to screenplay format. Overseen by leading international development professionals, Margins will culminate in a live table read by some of Sydney’s leading lights, hosted at the Belvoir Street Theatre.
Applicants may be producers, writers, editors, dramaturgs, theatre makers or other creatives. No professional credits are required however a track record of supporting new work in development is preferred.
Applications have now closed.
FAQ
What dates does Platform run?
Both Platform programs will run the second week of SFF, 10-15th of June. We ask filmmakers arrive no later than 10am on Monday 10th. Margins culminate in a workshop of the 14th of June so accommodation will be booked until the 15th of June. Lab culminates in the live pitch session on the 15th so accommodation will be booked until the 16th of June.
Where will Platform be held, in person or online?
Platform will be held in person at venues of the Sydney Film Festival and Belvoir Street Theatre. Participants must be available for the stipulated dates and cannot attend sessions virtually.
What will we do at Platform?
Daily workshops include 6 to 8 hours of content per day, excluding writing time and scheduled SFF screenings. Lab sessions will focus on skills of rapid content development and testing based on design thinking principles. The idea is to quickly, succinctly and successfully find the strengths and weaknesses in a project and design solutions to improve your work and skills. Margins sessions will focus on core skills in script development and editing with a focus on story, market and audience awareness. Margins facilitators will work intensively on new original scripts with selected Belvoir playwrights.
I live outside of Sydney, can I apply?
Yes, of course! Platform is designed for all Australian based creatives. If you are selected for Platform, your Sydney accommodation, daily lunches and screenings will be supplied by FFS and SFF. You will need to pay for your return flights, ground transportation and evening meals as they are outside the program scope.
I’m a concession card holder so paying for flights is going to be hard, what do I do?
FFS has a limited, non-competitive bursary available for concession card holders only. You must indicate your intention to access support at application and all accepted applicants will have the total bursary split evenly between them. As FFS is a small charity, the total allocated bursary is small and will likely represent a partial contribution to your costs, depending on your location and the number of applicants intending to access support. However, we will discuss this with you at the point of acceptance.
Do I need screen credits to apply for Platform?
Nope. Unlike many other development schemes, Platform isn’t interested in whether you’ve made something for the screen before, or if you intend to make the project you create at Platform. We are interested in selecting dedicated, insightful, adaptable creatives who are committed to creative and professional growth, rather than their big idea.
Who is running Platform?
Platform: Lab will be delivered by Samm Haillay, UK creator of the BFI Producer Programme and Mmabatho Kau, South African mentor of the REALNESS Institute. Additionally, international guests of the Sydney Film Festival will be stopping by to work with Platform: Lab participants but we can’t announce those folk just yet.
Platform: Margins will be delivered by FFS Executive Director Sophie Mathisen and Dr Chris Mead, Head of Theatre at the VCA. They will be joined for intensive sessions run by Robin Mukherjee, Yvonne Ibazebo and Marten Rabarts.
Could I get funding from Platform?
Maybe, maybe not. The culminating table read and pitch will be attended by the domestic market who may give feedback on your project and work. We can’t guarantee but we hope attendees will make valuable connections to benefit you in future. Regardless, the point of Platform is to help sharpen your skills and insight into development rather than trying to find finance for whatever you create at Platform.
I’ve been working on this idea for a film/series/webisode. Could I work on that at Platform?
Nope. You’re tasked with finding a new collaborator(s) within the Platform group and creating work with them. You’ll need to be open to their ideas as much as they’ll need to be open to yours. Attempting to retool or rework existing work will likely be less impactful as well as less fun for you and those you’ll be working with.
What do you mean by ‘script editor’?
We mean the people who work to support writers in development sharpen their ideas and projects. You could come from a literary, theatrical or film background but you need to have a knack for stories, communication and people. It’s not necessary to have formal script editing credits however we will want to know why you want to support others to make screen work, rather than making it yourself. In our experience the best editors are those who know that they are best suited to backstage, rather than in the spotlight.
When does Platform open for applications and when does it close?
It’s open now and closes Sunday 19th May at midnight. We’ve streamlined the application process deliberately so we can’t accept any late applications.
Is there any follow up from the submission?
A shortlist will be invited for a short 15-30 minute video call week commencing 20th May. All applicants will be advised of their application on the 25th of May.
What do I need to apply?
You will need to answer the questions in the application form that you can preview and send in a two minute pitch video outlining why you want to participate in Platform. That’s it!
Why a video?
Platform is a public-facing program and you’ll be working collaboratively within a diverse, creative group. We want to get a sense of how comfortable you are in a social context which we can’t do from written answers alone. Don’t hire a studio and don’t overthink it!
Need more answers?
Get in touch with hello@forfilmssake.org