Calling all Queensland filmmakers from under-represented backgrounds to apply to create six short films through RIDE Shorts - part of the RIDE (Respect, Inclusivity, Diversity, Equality) Initiative to foster a fair and respectful screen industry while opening doors for diverse practitioners around the state.
Up to six early-mid career creatives teams will be selected to work with Queensland Executive Producers Meg O'Connell and Jackson Lapsley Scott from Unless Pictures to create six short films. RIDE Shorts is supported by RIDE partners - Screen Queensland, SBS, Madman Entertainment and The Post Lounge.
The shorts will premiere at the Brisbane International Film Festival later this year, with potential to stream on SBS On Demand and to be packaged together as a feature film for theatrical distribution by Madman.
Screen Queensland's Chief Creative Officer Jo Dillon said the RIDE Shorts aims to unearth the hottest creative talent across the state and further the important values at the heart of the agency's RIDE commitment.
"RIDE Shorts combines drivers we know contribute to accelerating Queensland's screen talent in a way that promotes diversity while providing a platform for filmmakers with distinctive voices and original ideas to bring their stories to the big screen.
"The opportunity to work with Meg and Jackson from Unless Pictures is another way participants will develop as practitioners, and we are incredibly excited to see what emerges."
Each team will receive up to $55,000 to create the shorts, as well as creative feedback and guidance from Unless Pictures throughout development, production, post, delivery and distribution.
Launched at the TV Week Logies in 2019, Screen Queensland's RIDE Initiative is designed to expand opportunities for diverse screen practitioners identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, culturally and linguistically diverse, female, non-binary, LGBTQIA+, disabled, and/or regional or remotely based. Since its launch, six feature films have entered development with the RIDE partners, with the goal to produce one feature-length film per year for three years.
Applications for RIDE Shorts open 8 March and close 5pm, Monday 12 April 2021 via screenqueensland.com.au
