Breakthru Screenings (Producer) - Information

Application Process

1. Read the information below
2. Consult the Frequently Asked Questions
3. Begin the application form at the end of this page

* Early Bird Deadline: 14 April 2025

* Early Bird Registration Fee for Successful Applicants: $490

Background

The central component of MIFF 37ºSouth Market, Bridging the Gap, is a screen content financing market primarily for producers with script-stage projects staged in the opening four days of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF).

However, there is also a limited number of Breakthru Screenings slots for producers with a completed film who are seeking to attach a sales agent and/or distributor.

Selected producers will receive a 37ºSouth Market diary comprising scheduled one-to-one meetings for registered producers with selected local & international film financiers/buyers at Bridging the Gap and networking events.

Applicants selected for Breakthru Screenings are also eligible to participate in the following modules:

Books at MIFF (BaM), promoting links and business between publishers, screen financiers and producers to foster book-to-screen adaptations, which comprises: a case-study panel discussion on recent adaptations and public pitching by publishers of up to 10 books they want to see made into films or TV shows; scheduled one-to-one meetings for publishers with screen producers & financiers; and a networking event.
PostScript & Direct (PS&D), enabling screenwriters/directors/creatives to meet with 37ºSouth’s registered producers.
Nexus, promoting links and business between screen adaptation IP rights holders of varying formats (including podcasts, musicals, games, stage-plays, press articles, online content) and the screen industry to foster screen adaptations of these formats.
Link-Up, facilitating links and business for 37ºSouth’s partner agencies and private sector organisations with screen producers via a series of curated meetings and networking events.
Team-Up, enabling business connections and creative collaborations between independent producers and larger production partners with access to finance to facilitate film and TV co-productions.
State of Play screen financing talks.

Submission/Registration Conditions

This application form is only for completed (or fine-cut) feature-length films (narrative or documentary) which are seeking to find a world sales agent and/or Australian distribution at MIFF 37ºSouth Market and are applying for selection in the Breakthru Screenings, which will be private invite-only screenings for invited local and international buyers only.
If you are a producer with a market-ready script wishing to apply for inclusion at MIFF 37ºSouth Market, do not fill in this form. Instead, go to this page.
There are a very limited number of screening slots so entry is highly competitive. To be eligible for consideration, films must: be Australian/NZ in origin; have been completed no more than 12 months before their Breakthru Screening; have world sales rights and/or ANZ distribution available; not have screened previously in a market and/or festival and/or public setting.
Selection for theBreakthru Screenings is not related in any way to selection for screening in the main screening program at MIFF and if you would like to have your film considered for MIFF, please enter your film through MIFF’s regular application process separate to this process. Equally, if you have already submitted your film for consideration to MIFF, but also want to be considered for the Breakthru Screenings for buyers you will need to complete this application process below to be considered.
By applying, you agree that your film (if selected) can be exhibited to buyers participating in 37ºSouth Market.
In addition to the screening, one producer from the film that is screening will then be eligible to attend scheduled follow-up meetings with buyers at Bridging the Gap. The applicant producer completing this form must be the same producer that will attend the meetings and, by applying, agrees to be available for all of 7 August (from 8.45am) – 10 August 2025 (until 7.30pm) inclusive.
Costs of transport to, and accommodation in, Melbourne to be covered by the producer.
By applying producers are agreeing to take meetings with financiers/buyers.
Please fully complete the form and by applying you agree that if your application is selected, the completed forms will be included in the project booklet distributed to the Market’s participants. (Please note: it is important that you provide the full information on the form. If you are selected to participate at 37ºSouth Market, this 2-page form becomes your entry in the project book, which the financiers use to make their selections for who they wish to meet. So, your application form is a crucial document that serves two important functions: (1) it is the basis upon which the decision to select you to participate is made; and (2) it is the basis upon which the financiers will determine if they wish to meet you.)
By applying, you agree that meetings are at the choice of the financing guests and that 37ºSouth cannot guarantee the number of meetings that you will be selected for by the guests.
Only one participant per project will receive a lanyard entitling them to entry to 37ºSouth meetings, events and functions. If extra members of the creative team or producers of the other (non-lead) projects on your slate also wish to attend 37ºSouth Market, they may submit a separate application. If both applicants are selected you may elect to take meetings together. Please indicate on your application if you wish to link with another applicant for meetings should you both be selected.
All registered 37°South participants will receive a personal diary of meetings and events on or around 1 August 2025.
You agree that 37ºSouth Market may use any photos taken of you during the events.
By submitting an application, you are agreeing to receive program and marketing updates from MIFF Industry (including MIFF 37ºSouth Market, Accelerator Lab and Premiere Fund).

Participant Benefits

If your application is successful, your registration will entitle you to:

Four day pass to market floor and personal diary of meetings with financiers/buyers (meetings allocated by 37ºSouth staff primarily on basis of buyer preferences).
Inclusion of your project(s) in the project booklet for Bridging the Gap invited financiers/buyers.
Invite to at least two cocktail functions and four mixer lunch networking functions.
Eligible to attend State of Play and participate in Books at MIFF, PostScript & Direct, Nexus, Link-Up, Team-Up.

Application Form

Be sure to include relevant credits for all secured and attached personnel on the application form.

Given some Government incentives and rebates (i.e the Producer Offset) are considered semi-automatic, it is suggested to include these as confirmed finance for your project where relevant. Noting also that in the case of the Producer Offset the figure in your finance plan would typically be less than the full 40%.

If you choose to ‘Save and Continue Later’, please ensure that you copy down the ‘Save and Continue’ link or have received the link to your email before closing the application form.

See here for more details on 37ºSouth’s various sections

Questions? See the FAQ page

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