UK Connect

INTRODUCTION

Applications are now open for UK Connect, a new initiative and joint Australian market first between SCREEN FOREVER and the British Film Institute (BFI), that will align some of the most exciting Australian and UK producers, funders, commissioners, sales agents, and distributors at SCREEN FOREVER 37, Australia’s premier screen industry event, 3 May - 5 May on Queensland’s Gold Coast. 

DESCRIPTION
 

UK Connect is a competitive, curated co-production market, a part of the SPA Connect Market, designed for ten Australian and ten UK based film and television producers seeking global partners and financing. The BFI will also select four UK sales agents to participate, who will join local and international buyers for UK Connect.  The initiative aims to accelerate global partnerships and leverage additional funding streams to create new award-winning projects for global audiences.  
 

UK Connect will provide selected Australian producers with unique advantages to progress and finance their market ready film or TV projects in development with UK-based production partners and financiers.

OPPORTUNITIES
 

UK Connect is a bespoke imitative looking to stimulate collaboration between the UK and Australian production companies. With Global Film Fund attending and a revised co-production treaty between UK and Australia, UK Connect offers the opportunity to forge new partnerships and help finance co-production projects. 
 

The Australian and UK based producers selected to participate in the UK Connect program will be offered a full day of events focused on doing business and unlocking additional funding with UK counterparts, including exclusive talks, networking and bespoke 1-1 meetings on 2nd & 3rd May, before the official opening of SCREEN FOREVER 37.
   

Further networking events and curated meetings are planned for the projects selected during SCREEN FOREVER 37, giving Australian and UK producers the best possible chance to secure financing and suitable partners for their projects.
 

UK Connect delegation will participate in an array of events and sessions programmed as part of SCREEN FOREVER 37 and will be available for meetings during Ready Steady Pitch, Round Tables, a Co-Production Forum, and 1-1 pitching opportunities.

APPLYING
 

Applicants will have to demonstrate they have a producer or executive producer credit on at least one feature film or long from TV series and demonstrate their success or strong interest in working internationally. Producers will be selected on the basis of their previous experience, and their specified interest and motivation to grow internationally and expand their international networks. We will prioritise producers who already have some co-production experience, applying with market-ready film and TV projects in development, with the potential to be structured as UK-Australia co-productions.  We are particularly keen to support producers from under-represented backgrounds and from across Australia.
 

Given the demand for the opportunities provided through UK Connect, competition will be fierce, SPA encourages all delegates holding a valid SCREEN FOREVER 37 registration who are interested in participating in UK Connect to get their applications in immediately.

Applications for UK Connect closes 13 February 11.59pm AEDT.

UK Connect is proudly supported by