Australian and New Zealand screen industry body Screenrights has announced $239,400 in funding for six new screen projects, all themed around the topic of ‘learning through story’.
It’s all part of the organisation’s Cultural Fund, which aims to support projects that contribute to the culture and creativity of the region’s screen industry.
Screenrights Cultural Fund 2026 – quick links
The recipients of the Screenrights Cultural Fund 2026
Three Australian projects have been funded as part of this program. This includes Young Yarnz, a school curriculum-aligned digital learning platform that elevates First Nations knowledge holders. The team has received $50,000 to establish the platform.
Studio Gilay’s Animation as Living Story has also received $50,000 to address the under-representation of Indigenous practitioners in animation. Studio Gilay has previously worked on a range of Indigenous-led projects, including Dungeons & Damper, which was part of VIVID Sydney 2026.
‘Studio Gilay is Australia’s leading majority Indigenous-owned animation studio, and proud recipient of the 2026 Screenrights Cultural Fund. This is a major milestone for us, and the beginning of important work,’ said Studio Gilay’s Jake Duczynski.
‘The grant will allow us to deep-dive into the immense power and impact potential of Indigenous storytelling in the digital realm. As we step into this space, we recognise that our role as a conduit – bringing the rich stories, knowledge systems, and artistry of our communities to life with animation – also requires building rigorous protocol around those voices to enable safety, protection and sustainable practice.’
Brock Casting Services’ Lights On program, which aims to create new pathways into the screen industry for creatives with disability, was another recipient of the program.
‘Lights On started because I could see there was a gap in our industry. Incredible disabled talent was out there, but the pathway in wasn’t,’ said Liza Brock of Brock Casting Services.
‘Our pilot showed us just how much potential there is when people are given the right opportunity, training and support. This funding is a huge step towards changing that. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built so far, and even more excited about where Lights On can go from here.’
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New Zealand initiatives supported by Screenrights include Nine Islands Media’s Māori & Pasifika Impact Producing Lab, an eight-week online professional development program for up to eight Māori and Pasifika screen practitioners, and Film Bay of Plenty’s He Kōrero Tuku Iho – Stories Carried Forward, a place-based storytelling workshop series for diverse communities.
In addition, Screenrights will also fund The Writers Lab, a script development intensive designed for women, non-binary and gender diverse screenwriters over 40 who are based in Australia or New Zealand.
Screenrights on the importance of its Cultural Fund
‘This year’s focus, ‘learning through story’, attracted an exceptional calibre of applications. From culturally safe classroom tools to mentorship for emerging storytellers, the six selected projects will help diverse screen stories reach and empower communities across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand,’ said Screenrights’ Board Director and Cultural Fund Working Group Chair, Tom Alegenourias.
‘The Screenrights Cultural Fund continues to be a vital springboard for initiatives that break down barriers and build lasting sector capability.’
As shared by the Screenrights team, its Cultural Fund has provided over $2.2 million in funding for various screen projects since it launched in 2018, with the overarching goal of enriching the local screen industries in Australia and New Zealand.
