The Screenrights Cultural Fund makes a difference by supporting people with exciting and innovative new initiatives that foster the creation and appreciation of screen content in Australia and New Zealand. The 2026 total funding pool is $300,000.
- Grants of up to $50,000
- View previously funded initiatives
- 2026 applications now open
- Applications close Wednesday 8 April, 5pm AEST
- Request a free applicant support consultation
- Terms & Conditions
- Guidelines
- culturalfund@screenrights.org
- E-newsletter sign-up
FOCUS 2026: LEARNING THROUGH STORY
Applications for the 2026 Screenrights Cultural Fund are now open, with the annual grant round seeking to fund initiatives that address this year’s focus of Learning Through Story.
“In 2026, the Screenrights Cultural Fund is placing a strong emphasis on supporting innovators who are expanding, improving, and accelerating learning outcomes through the creative use of screen stories,” says Tom Alegounarias, Chair of the Cultural Fund Working Group. “This year’s focus highlights our commitment to empowering those who are pushing boundaries in knowledge sharing and learner engagement through screen stories – both within the screen industry and across broader educational sectors. We welcome applications from a wide range of initiatives, whether you’re developing interactive learning tools and innovative curriculum content, or building mentorship platforms and screen-based projects that foster professional growth and community learning.”
If you have a project that sounds like a good fit, be sure to take a look at our previously funded initiatives and read the Cultural Fund Guidelines before you apply.
Application Support
Screenrights offers free application support for those less experienced with funding submissions via consultation sessions, with the aim of reducing barriers to entry and increasing the diversity of funded initiatives. Support is accessed by submitting a request form with some information about your idea, and conducted via video call at a time that suits you. Application support requests for the 2026 grant round are now open, and will close on Monday 30 March.
The Screenrights Cultural Fund is not a development or production fund. For development or production funding opportunities, we suggest checking out your regional screen or arts funding bodies.
The Screenrights Cultural Fund supports projects that foster the creation and appreciation of screen content in Australia and New Zealand. Now in its ninth year, the Fund has awarded almost $2 million to screen industry initiatives since it was established in 2018.
Find out more about all of the initiatives supported by the Fund over its lifetime here.
Past Projects
Hear from the recipients of some of the Cultural Fund’s previously funded initiatives below.
