ClosedNon-Profit25/26

Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund 25/26 — NSW

$5K – $5K available

Screen NSW

The Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund offers grants of $5,000 to community-driven film festivals in New South Wales to support Opening Night events. The funding aims to strengthen community-based film festivals, increase access to diverse screening experiences, and showcase the cultural diversity of New South Wales.

Funding

$5K – $5K

Closed

23 Apr 2026

Duration

between 2026-06-01 and 2027-05-31

Location

New South Wales

Who Can Apply

• Must be an Australian organisation • Eligible entity types include companies, incorporated not-for-profit bodies, co-operatives, trusts, local government authorities, or a consortium/group with an eligible lead organisation • Must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) • Must be legally constituted and financially solvent • Must be able to provide proof of legal status • Must have demonstrated experience in delivering film festivals • Must adhere to the general eligibility requirements under the Screen NSW Terms of Trade • Funded activity must relate to the Opening Night of a community-driven film festival in New South Wales • Festival Opening Night must be held between 2026-06-01 and 2027-05-31 • Individuals, sole traders, groups of individuals, partnerships and unincorporated organisations cannot apply • Government departments and agencies cannot apply • Primary and secondary schools, tertiary institutions and TAFE colleges cannot apply • Previous Screen NSW funding recipients who have not fulfilled conditions of funding cannot apply • Festivals receiving an annual New South Wales Government contribution of over $150,000 cannot apply • Festivals with an annual budget of over $1,000,000 cannot apply • Multi-disciplinary or cultural festivals where screenings and screen culture account for less than 75% of programming activity cannot apply • Applicants that cannot demonstrate relevant experience in delivering film festivals cannot apply
Applicants must be an Australian organisation, including companies, incorporated not-for-profit bodies, co-operatives, trusts, local government authorities, or a consortium/group of organisations working collaboratively with one eligible lead organisation. Applicants must have an active Australian Business Number, be legally constituted and financially solvent, be able to provide proof of legal status, have demonstrated experience delivering film festivals, and meet the general eligibility requirements under the Screen NSW Terms of Trade. Funding is for Opening Night activities of a community-driven film festival in New South Wales held between 1 June 2026 and 31 May 2027. Ineligible applicants include individuals, sole traders, groups of individuals, partnerships, unincorporated organisations, government departments and agencies, schools, tertiary institutions and TAFE colleges, previous Screen NSW funding recipients who have not fulfilled funding conditions, festivals receiving an annual New South Wales Government contribution over $150,000, festivals with an annual budget over $1,000,000, festivals where screenings and screen culture account for less than 75% of programming activity, and applicants unable to demonstrate relevant film festival delivery experience.

What's Funded

Eligible activities include venue hire, interpreters including AUSLAN, Welcome to Country costs, marketing and promotion, hospitality and entertainment, transport for key creatives, licensing fees for the Opening Night film, equipment hire, documentation, and other event costs related to an Opening Night celebration.

Before you apply

Check Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund 25/26 fit and evidence gaps before 23 Apr 2026

Use this non-profit grant page to sanity-check eligibility, funding fit, evidence gaps and application effort before you commit days to drafting. If you already know the grant you want, the 48-hour audit gives a practical go/no-go view, reviewer-readiness score and next-step risks.

Get a 48-hour grant fit audit

Expected Outcomes

Funded projects are expected to deliver an Opening Night event for a community-driven film festival in New South Wales, increase community participation and access to diverse screen experiences, support underrepresented communities to tell their stories, and showcase the cultural diversity of New South Wales.

Free Eligibility Check

Answer a few quick questions to find out if you qualify for this grant. Takes about 2 minutes.

Check Eligibility

Grant not accepting applications

Applications for this round are closed. A new round may open in the future.

Browse open grants

Key Information

Applicant Types

companynon_profitcooperativetrustlocal_governmentother

Stage

established

Funding Purposes

communitymarketingother

Keywords

film festivalopening nightscreen industrycommunity festivalartscultureNew South WalesScreen NSW

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund 25/26?

The Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund 25/26 is a non-profit grant offered by Screen NSW in Australia, providing $5K – $5K in funding. The Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund offers grants of $5,000 to community-driven film festivals in New South Wales to support Opening Night events. The funding aims to strengthen community-based film festivals, increase access to diverse screening experiences, and showcase the cultural diversity of New South Wales.
2

How much funding does the Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund 25/26 provide?

The Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund 25/26 provides $5K – $5K in funding. The typical project duration is between 2026-06-01 and 2027-05-31.
3

Who is eligible for the Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund 25/26?

  • Must be an Australian organisation
  • Eligible entity types include companies, incorporated not-for-profit bodies, co-operatives, trusts, local government authorities, or a consortium/group with an eligible lead organisation
  • Must have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
  • Must be legally constituted and financially solvent
  • Must be able to provide proof of legal status
  • Must have demonstrated experience in delivering film festivals
  • Must adhere to the general eligibility requirements under the Screen NSW Terms of Trade
  • Funded activity must relate to the Opening Night of a community-driven film festival in New South Wales
  • Festival Opening Night must be held between 2026-06-01 and 2027-05-31
  • Individuals, sole traders, groups of individuals, partnerships and unincorporated organisations cannot apply
  • Government departments and agencies cannot apply
  • Primary and secondary schools, tertiary institutions and TAFE colleges cannot apply
  • Previous Screen NSW funding recipients who have not fulfilled conditions of funding cannot apply
  • Festivals receiving an annual New South Wales Government contribution of over $150,000 cannot apply
  • Festivals with an annual budget of over $1,000,000 cannot apply
  • Multi-disciplinary or cultural festivals where screenings and screen culture account for less than 75% of programming activity cannot apply
  • Applicants that cannot demonstrate relevant experience in delivering film festivals cannot apply
4

When does the Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund 25/26 close?

Applications closed on 23 Apr 2026.
5

What activities are funded?

Eligible activities include venue hire, interpreters including AUSLAN, Welcome to Country costs, marketing and promotion, hospitality and entertainment, transport for key creatives, licensing fees for the Opening Night film, equipment hire, documentation, and other event costs related to an Opening Night celebration.
6

How do I apply for the Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund 25/26?

Start by checking your eligibility using the free Beta Docs eligibility checker. If eligible, Beta Docs' AI-powered platform can help you draft, review, and refine your application to maximise your chances of success.

Need help applying?

Beta Docs has helped founders secure $160M+ in competitive grants. Our AI platform drafts compliance-perfect applications — and our expert reviewers make sure you stand out.