Screen Australia has opened applications for its Future Leaders Delegation program, which will support up to eight early-to-mid career gamemakers with travel to BitSummit 2027 in Kyoto, Japan.
The annual fund is designed to provide an accessible path for gamemakers to attend the showcase, where publishers, developers and the general public meet to play and discuss video games. It’s a valuable event for developers to show off their latest work and to canvass opportunities in the global market, and for publishers to see the breadth of work in development.
As Screen Australia says, BitSummit has become an important event for gamemakers in the Asia-Pacific region, becoming ‘growing destination’ for industry networking, forging partnerships, and gaining insight into the local market.
Screen Australia’s Future Leaders – quick links
What Screen Australia’s Future Leaders Delegation does
Early-to-mid career gamemakers are encouraged to submit an application for Screen Australia’s Future Leaders Delegation, should they benefit from support to attend BitSummit 2027.
It’s worth noting this fund is designed to create pathways, and those applying should consider their means and what they will bring to the annual event in their application. Teams seeking a publisher or marketing support partners will likely benefit from attending, but project status and team finances should also be considered.
Per Screen Australia, the most eligible candidates will have:
- Already released and/or published at least one game on a public platform
- A game in active development that is or will be ready for public showcase by May 2027
- Availability to attend BitSumit 2027 and to attend pre-departure workshops in Melbourne in mid-April (with local domestic flights covered as needed)
- Not been the recipient of previous Screen Australia Future Leaders Delegation initiatives
In addition, Screen Australia has encouraged gamemakers from ‘all backgrounds, cultures, experiences and under-represented groups and communities’ to apply. The aim here is to support a diverse array of Australians to attend, to represent the full scope of the country’s rich culture and experience.
Successful applications will be supported with up to $6000 to put towards flights, accomodation, event tickets, ground transportation and meals.
How to apply to Screen Australia’s Future Leaders Delegation
Applications to Screen Australia’s Future Leaders Delegation close 5 November.
The content of the application must include a CV with a working history, a career development proposal outlining the benefit of this support and how it will be utilised for growth, a working build of the current project to be showcased at BitSummit 2027 and a 30-second video of gameplay footage. Other supporting documents can also be submitted, should they help to illuminate the applicant’s eligibility and intention.
For further information, Screen Australia has provided contact details with encouragement to reach out in the case of questions or challenges in the submissions process.
Following a formal review of all submissions, successful applicants will be informed and provided with next steps.
Also on ScreenHub: BitSummit 2026 games conference breaks attendance records
BitSummit 2026 reportedly set a new attendance record for the annual games conference, with 17% more visitors to this year’s Kyoto event compared to last year. Per additional data from VGC, attendance has actually increased 77% over the last two years, with the popularity of the show rising significantly. In 2023, attendance was 24,000. In 2024, it increased to 38,000. In 2025, the number jumped to 58,000. This year, attendance has been recorded at a whopping 68,208.
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