Screen Canberra and the ACT Government announced the launch of the Canberra Screen and Games Fund today (4 December). The initiative will provide funding to local screen and game creators to develop new and existing projects.
Canberra screen and games fund – quick links
What you need to know about the Canberra Screen and Games Fund
The intention for this funding, as stated in the launch media release, is to strengthen and grow the local creative industries, stimulate economic activity and showcase Canberra as a creative hub to local and international audiences.
‘Canberra is home to one of Australia’s highest per capita concentration of games creators and Canberrans bring sought-after skills and creativity that set us apart,’ said Michael Pettersson, ACT Minister for Business, Arts and Creative Industries.
‘We want to back our local games developers to take their products to the next level.’
Digital games are a stated focus of this new Screen Canberra-delivered fund due to their potential for innovation and commercialisation. According to the media release, local developers will be supported to develop and produce their ideas, transforming them ‘into commercially viable products that carry Canberra’s ingenuity to the world’.
States and territories invest in local talent
The decision to establish a fund like this follows other states across Australia, including in New South Wales, where seed funding initiatives have been recently established. Elsewhere, tenured funds in Queensland and Victoria have aided the production of countless video games to date.
As noted by Pettersson, the newly-established Screen Canberra fund will support a range of goals, including growing jobs in Canberra and elevating the talent residing in ACT.
In recent years, Canberra’s screen industry has grown steadily, led by documentary production, TV series and new feature films. With this fund, the city aims to continue this growth into the future.
‘This fund reflects the changing landscape of our industry,’ said Screen Canberra CEO Holly Trueman. ‘With specific streams for games, direct-to-audience and film/TV, we are focusing our resources on production – creating jobs and delivering results. By extending financial backing to digital games, we are creating a holistic ecosystem that supports creators across every screen.’
Application criteria for the Canberra Screen and Games Fund
Guidelines to apply for Screen Canberra funding have now been released, with project criteria around the following goals:
- Create economic benefit for the ACT
- Employ ACT based creatives, cast, crew or studio teams
- Strengthen local capability and industry sustainability
- Reflect inclusive, diverse and authentic storytelling
- Demonstrate a clear pathway to audiences
- Meet Screen Canberra Terms of Trade and program specific eligibility criteria
Screen Canberra’s first round of funding for TV, film, and game projects will open on 11 December 2025 and close at midnight on 4 January 2026. Additional funding rounds will open in early 2026, and beyond.
Also on ScreenHub: Powerhouse’s successful ALT: GAMES showcase set to return in 2026
Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum has confirmed the return of its ALT: GAMES celebration from 17 to 19 April 2026, following strong success in its debut year. As with its predecessor, next year’s show aims to elevate the local Australian gaming industry and community, while also championing the transformative power of video games and tabletop games.
ALT: GAMES 2026 is expected to feature new digital showcases, talks, hands-on sessions and more, with a curated approach to the program. As part of its announcement, Powerhouse has encouraged those in a position to contribute to the event to submit their ideas for participation. The team is looking to showcase games of all kinds that ‘highlight Australian stories, design and practice, and champion the significance of gaming across diverse audiences’. Both emerging and established developers are encouraged to apply.
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