Screen Territory grants expand into exciting new field

21 February 2023

The Territory Labor Government is supporting the growth of the screen industry in the Northern Territory by offering grants that expand job opportunities and creative development within the industry.

Round 3 of the 2022-23 Screen Territory Funding Program is now open, with a new Games Development grant available to support the growth of the video games industry.

The new Games Development grant aims to develop interactive screen projects for all digital platforms, and will support Territory games developers to bring their ideas to life, and be played by gamers around the world.

Territory game developers and studios can apply for up to $10,000 for concept development, up to $25,000 to develop a prototype and up to $40,000 for Early Access which is aimed at assisting developers release a playable game to gamers with the applicant required to provide a matching contribution.

Screen Territory’s travel support funding, which is open year round, has expanded to include support to attend key games markets and conferences including Games Connect Asia Pacific and the Australasian Gaming Expo.

Screen practitioners can still apply for a range of grants, including story development, audience development, industry partnerships and production finance.

These screen grants foster the development and production of distinctive and marketable Territory stories, and increase productions in the Northern Territory, bringing significant benefits to our economy and the screen industry.

Round 3 closes Monday 20 March 2023. For more information including grant guidelines visit screenterritory.nt.gov.au or to apply go to grantsnt.nt.gov.au

Quotes Minister for Industry, Nicole Manison:

“I am always excited to see the unique stories of the Northern Territory shared, from the big screen to the small screen, and now directly to gamers worldwide.  

“The Territory screen industry is going from strength to strength, and with the popularity of the video game industry, our new grants will plant the first seeds of a new gaming industry, right here in the Northern Territory.

“For every dollar the Territory Government invests in our vibrant screen industry, a minimum spend of $4 is generated in our economy across employment and goods and services, helping to deliver our $40 billion economy by 2030.”  

Quotes from Darwin based video game studio Larrikin Interactive founder, Dylan Bennett:

“Here at Larrikin Interactive we use local stories to develop video games such as our game Diets and Deities, our music cooking game inspired by the team's experiences growing up in the Territory, as well as the Finke Desert Race Game, which brings the iconic race to life for a whole new audience. 

“The new Games Development fund from Screen Territory will enable more local stories to be shared on the global stage.

“We have an incredibly passionate game development industry here in the Territory, and this opportunity will cement the Northern Territory as an attractive ecosystem to develop video games and enable us to directly compete with other States and Territories for talent.”    

Northern Territory Government