Screen Australia has released a new Private Investment Toolkit for screen producers and potential investors, with the intention of bridging knowledge gaps between these major screen industry stakeholders.
The new toolkit, which is a free, interactive digital platform, is designed to inform producers about clear pathways to private investment for screen projects, with a particular focus on a ‘market-informed mindset.’
It provides advice on strengthening the attractiveness of screen investment with a consistent approach, and guides that outline best pitching practice and how to use clear language to set ‘value, risk, timelines, and expectations.’
For investors, it provides knowledge about how to understand Australia’s screen sector and make ‘goal-aligned’ decisions, how to identify different ways to invest in screen projects, as well as the risk involved, and how to tailor an investment approach based on overarching goals.
Screen Australia announces new investment toolkit – quick links
How to use Screen Australia’s Private Investment Toolkit
As shared by Screen Australia, its new Private Investment Toolkit is a learning resources for everyone working in and looking to supporting Australia’s local screen industry, with the value and possible intention of investment outlined in detail.
Per the organisation, investment can look very different for each project, depending on intended outcome and goals.
While traditional investment in screen can be about profit in return, it can also be for philanthropic reasons, as well as to benefit Australian cultural development.
Speaking to experts in finance, tax, investment, philanthropy, legal, education, and production, Screen Australia has worked to create a layered guide, with specific ‘practical, adaptable’ resources to ’empower both producers and potential investors to work together with confidence, transparency, standardisation and deal readiness.’
The reality is that investment opportunities can be very cloudy for producers, and misunderstood by investors. By sharing expert-led advice, complete with various use cases and motivations, Screen Australia hopes to de-mystify elements of this practice, and create clearer pathways for creatives and investors to work together.
It’s all part of the organisation’s overarching goal of delivering projects that ‘build a strong, inclusive industry by fostering screen businesses and developing talent.’
Screen Australia on its new toolkit
‘By helping investors understand the opportunities and giving producers the tools to present projects and manage relationships with clarity, confidence and commercial rigour, it opens the door to more constructive dialogue around screen projects, setting the stage for more confident and successful partnerships,’ Grainne Brunsdon, Screen Australia Chief Operating Officer, said in a press release.
‘Importantly, it also shows investors exactly where, how and why they should engage, highlighting that the screen sector can deliver influence, ownership and cultural impact as well as returns – a combination that many traditional investments simply can’t deliver.’
Deanne Weir, producer, investor, and taskforce member, said it was a chance for greater transparency, and to educate those unaware of the opportunities that lie within investment in the screen space.
‘Screen Australia’s Private Investment Toolkit is an absolute gift to both producers and investors, it will help bridge the significant knowledge gaps that currently exist between those with capital and those who need it,’ Weir said.
‘Screen stories have fallen off the radar as an investment opportunity, but we can offer a fun and fulfilling experience to funders who believe that storytelling can both entertain and also help all of us better understand the world we live in.’
Screen Australia’s Private Investment Toolkit is now available on the organisation’s website.
