Staying in Touch (Producer) – Information

Background

Staying in Touch is part of 37ºSouth: Bridging the Gap, a screen content financing forum for producers with developed/market-ready projects staged in the opening four days of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). It comprises scheduled one-to-one meetings for registered producers with selected local & international film financiers/buyers and networking events.

Producers are selected for Bridging the Gap meetings either from proposed financing plans for developed scripts or on the basis of representing a completed film that seeks a sales agent and/or local distributor.

Applicants selected for Bridging the Gap 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 highly-credentialled Australian/NZ screen producers who seek to take non-project specific meetings with MIFF 37ºSouth Market’s invited local and international financiers, which includes world sales agents, studios, distributors, equity and gap funds, etc.
  • Selected “lead” producers will have a diary of meetings set for them by MIFF 37ºSouth Market staff and will be included in various networking events with the financiers/buyers. By applying, producers are agreeing to be available for the entire days 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 you are selected, the completed forms will be included in the project booklet distributed to invited sales agents/distributors (the books will not be circulated beyond this group). (Please note that it is important that you provide the full information on the form. If you are selected to participate at MIFF 37ºSouth Market, this 2-page form becomes your entry in the confidential project book for financiers and the financiers then make their selections for who they wish to meet on the basis of that entry. 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. Please note that 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 producer per project will receive a pass entitling them to entry to 37ºSouth meetings, events and functions. Extra members of the creative team are not eligible for entry to the market floor. If producers of the other projects on your slate wish to also attend MIFF 37ºSouth Market, they may submit a separate application. If both applicants are selected you may elect to take meetings together if you wish. 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 MIFF 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:

  • All Bridging the Gap lead projects will be automatically eligible for consideration for the only guaranteed Australian/NZ slots at London’s Production Finance Market (PFM). Under the 37ºSouth Market-PFM Alliance, three 37ºSouth producers receive free registration & meetings at the October PFM. (NB: For producers to be eligible to win a PFM place, they must attend the 37ºSouth closing drinks on Sunday 10 August 2025, when the announcements will be made.)
  • 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. (Note: booklet is not distributed beyond this group).
  • Invite to at least two cocktail functions and two 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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