New initiative 'UK Connect' Delivers Global Opportunities at
SCREEN FOREVER 37
24 Jan 2023
Today, Screen Producers Australia (SPA) announced applications are 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.
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.
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 02 May, the day 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.
“We’re thrilled to introduce UK Connect as a new offering to the SCREEN FOREVER 37 program. The initiative is the result of SPA understanding the need for new and unique opportunities for Australian producers to tap into the Global markets. Australia is home to a wealth of bold, courageous, and intuitive storytellers who champion Australian stories and showcase our culture globally, and our mission is to ensure these storytellers have every opportunity imaginable to succeed in doing so,” said SPA CEO Matthew Deaner.
“We thank the team at the British Film Institute for helping to facilitate UK Connect and are excited to foster this relationship into the future, continuing to bring passionate screen industry professionals from far and wide together resulting in spectacular productions.” said Mr Deaner.
“We are delighted to be partnering with SPA and its Screen Forever event to deliver, with the support of the BFI International Fund*, UK Connect, a unique programme designed to open up opportunities for both of our screen industries which are looking to create great new productions and grow business in international markets, “ says Agnieszka Moody, BFI Head of International & Industry Policy. “Australia is an important market for the UK and vice versa with our great cultural connections and a good track record in screen production collaboration. With a revised co-production treaty between our two countries about to come into force, we are looking to capitalise on those strengths and through UK Connect support the growth of international networks for our respective industries, forging new partnerships, and stimulating opportunities for co-production.”
The 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.
SPA Connect will be bigger and better than ever before with more pitching opportunities offered through Ready Steady Pitch, Round Tables and 1-1 meetings with local delegates, the UK delegation, and other international guests to be announced soon.
Given the exclusivity of the opportunities provided through UK Connect, competition will be fierce, SPA encourages all those interested in participating to get their applications in as soon as possible.
UK Connect applicants from Australia will need to hold a valid SCREEN FOREVER 37 registration. After a completely sold-out event earlier in 2022, delegates are encouraged to register early to secure their spot at www.screenforever.org.au. UK producers and sales companies will need to apply via the BFI at www.bfi.org.uk/international.
The application process requires a description of the applicant’s selected project including details of any previous development funding, percentage of funding already secured, approximate budget, support or partners attached, synopsis and pitch to buyers.
Applicants are required to be available to travel to Queensland’s Gold Coast from May 2 May - 5 May.
Applications for UK Connect closes 13 February 11.59pm AEDT.
More details on UK Connect can be found on the SPA Connect page of the SCREEN FOREVER 37 website.
SCREEN FOREVER is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, through Screen Queensland.
We acknowledge and pay respects to the Yugambeh people of the Gold Coast and all their descendants both past and present. We also acknowledge the many Aboriginal people from other regions as well as Torres Strait and South Sea Islander people who now live in the local area and have made an important contribution to the community.