FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ELIGIBILITY
IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT OR A DISADVANTAGE BEING A MATURE AGED APPLICANT
There is no age limit or disadvantage being a mature aged applicant! We encourage adults (18+) of all ages to apply.
I’M AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN CURRENTLY RESIDING OUTSIDE OF AUSTRALIA, DOES MY LOCATION MATTER AND AM I ELIGIBLE?
You can live anywhere in the world; you are eligible if you are an Australian citizen or permanent Australian resident.
I AM NOT AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN, BUT I CAN GET CITIZENSHIP, WILL YOU CONSIDER ME?
You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time of your application.
I'M AN AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN BUT AN AMERICAN PERMANENT RESIDENT CAN I STILL APPLY?
Dual citizens are eligible, or you can be an Australian citizen with permanent residency in a different country, or a permanent resident of Australia but citizen of a different country.
ARE WOMEN CONSIDERED HISTORICALLY EXCLUDED?
Yes.
WHAT DOES CULTURALLY DIVERSE MEAN?
Cultural diversity may include language, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender or age. .
HOW DO YOU DEFINE ‘EMERGING’?
For UNTAPPED, when we say emerging we are generally referring to early to mid-career writers and directors. Most importantly, we are seeking individuals or teams with demonstrated talent and commitment to their careers, but who do not currently have the access and opportunity to take their careers to the next level.
I HAVE A SHORT FILM(S) ON THE FESTIVAL CIRCUIT, AM I ELIGIBLE?
Yes, you are eligible.
I WAS A PARTICIPANT IN A SIMILAR PROGRAM (E.G., ACCELERATOR PROGRAM / TALENT CAMP), AM I ELIGIBLE?
Yes, you are still eligible.
I AM AN ALUMNA / ALUMNUS OF A FILM SCHOOL, AM I ELIGIBLE?
All film school alumni are eligible..
I AM A FULL-TIME STUDENT IN A DIFFERENT FIELD, AM I ELIGIBLE?
Untapped is a professional development program. Please do not apply if you are a full-time student.
CAN WE APPLY AS A TEAM OF THREE?
Unfortunately, we do not accept teams of three. Two is the maximum number of applicants you can have.
I'M AN EMERGING SCREENWRITER WORKING ON A CONCEPT WITH ANOTHER EMERGING SCREENWRITER, CAN WE APPLY AS A TEAM?
Yes, you may apply as a team of two consisting of either two writers, two directors or a writer and a director.
CAN I APPLY WITH MORE THAN ONE PROJECT?
You can only apply with one project as the primary applicant. You may however apply as a co applicant on a second submission.
WHAT DOES “IN DEVELOPMENT” MEAN EXACTLY? DO I HAVE TO HAVE PRODUCERS OR OTHER BIG TALENT/EXECS ATTACHED TO MY SCRIPT?
We are open to projects at any stage of development as long as you submit a completed script or detailed treatment for the project. You do not need any attachments.
MY PROJECT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR SCREEN AUSTRALIA (OR OTHER GOVERNMENT SCREEN AGENCY) DEVELOPMENT FUNDING, AM I STILL ELIGIBLE?
Yes, you are still eligible. If your project is sold to a third party after the commencement of Untapped, you will no longer be eligible for the Development Lab.
MATERIALS
DO YOU ACCEPT DOCUMENTARIES?
No, you cannot apply for Untapped with materials for a documentary.
DO YOU ACCEPT SHORT FILMS CONCEPTS?
No, we do not accept short films. You must apply with an idea for a feature film or series.
DO YOU ACCEPT PROJECTS INSPIRED BY REAL EVENTS / TRUE STORIES / REAL PEOPLE?
Your project can be based on real events, true stories, or real people; however, they need to be in the public domain, free of copyright issues, or you must have obtained the necessary life rights. Your project must be a narrative (scripted) feature film or series, not a documentary.
I HAVE A UNIQUE IDEA; ARE YOU OPEN TO ALL STORIES?
We are excited by things which are wildly creative and out of the box!
MY SCRIPT HAS BEEN OPTIONED BY A THIRD-PARTY PRODUCER / PRODUCTION COMPANY; CAN I APPLY WITH THE SAME SCRIPT?
No. If your project has been optioned or sold to a third party the project is not eligible for Untapped.
WHAT MATERIALS SHOULD I SUBMIT?
Please refer to the Untapped main website. The most important materials are a detailed treatment or complete feature or pilot screenplay, but we also encourage you to submit supplemental materials such as a look book or series pitch document. If you are applying as a director, you must submit a link to a directing work sample. We want to see everything you have. The more specific you are, the better. Good additional materials can make your application stronger.
CAN DIRECTORS SHOW PREVIOUS WORK?
Directors are required to include a link to prior work.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE IN A DIRECTING WORK SAMPLE?
Please select what you consider to be your best work that is most relevant to the submitted project. The sample should help to demonstrate your visual storytelling ability. We will watch one work sample only. Please do not submit multiple samples. If you are directing us to your website, please specify what film or video you would like the committee to review. Make sure to include the password if the link is protected.
I’M A WRITER, CAN I ATTACH A SAMPLE OF MY PREVIOUS WORK?
Writers don’t need to show samples of work unrelated to the project they are applying to Untapped with. You only need to show us your materials (treatment or screenplay) for the project you wish to develop during Untapped.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR ANYTHING SPECIFIC?
We are not looking for a specific genre at all, we are open to any kind of story.
HOW CAN MY APPLICATION STAND OUT?
Articulate your goals for your career and what you hope to gain from the program. Convey your passion and why it is so important for you to tell this story. We want projects which have a unique perspective, something only you can make!
CAN AN APPLICANT CHANGE THEIR PROJECT TO A DIFFERENT ONE DURING THE PROGRAM?
Please reach out to us, we will address this on a case-by-case basis only.
MAY I REAPPLY TO UNTAPPED WITH THE SAME PROJECT AS LAST YEAR?
Yes, you may reapply with the same project you submitted previously, however we advise you to articulate in your application in what ways you have continued to develop the project and your artistic career since you last applied.
MENTORSHIP
HOW DO PARTICIPANTS GET MATCHED WITH MENTORS?
Development Lab participants will be paired with their mentors by Australians in Film staff in consultation with mentors.
MASTERCLASSES
WHEN DO THE MASTERCLASSES TAKE PLACE?
The masterclasses will take place over Zoom once or twice a month for approximately one hour. If you cannot attend, you will be given access to watch it online.
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE UNTAPPED DEVELOPMENT LAB?
The schedule for the lab is being finalized, but we will meet a few times a month from July through to November 2023. We don’t have a set schedule for the one-on-one meetings with mentors, they will be more flexible. This is not a full-time program; we will meet a few times a month in group sessions and individual one-on-one meetings.
WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO APPLY TO BE PART OF THE MASTERCLASSES ONLY, OR WOULD WE HAVE TO HAVE A PROJECT IN DEVELOPMENT AS WELL?
You must apply to Untapped to be invited to attend the Masterclasses and you must have a project in development to apply for Untapped. Our goal is to help and support you to develop your project during this program.
HOW WILL I FIND OUT IF I’M ACCEPTED OR NOT?
We will notify everyone directly whether or not you are accepted.
ARE THE MASTERCLASS SPEAKERS INVOLVED IN THE SELECTION PROCESS?
No, the Masterclass speakers are not involved in the selection process. AiF staff will oversee the selection process.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL READ MY APPLICATION?
Every project will be read at least once and may be read up to four times.
WILL I RECEIVE FEEDBACK ON MY APPLICATION?
Unfortunately, due to the high number of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
WILL THE ENTIRE PROGRAM BE ONLINE, IS ANY TRAVEL INVOLVED?
This entire program will be online through Zoom, you do not need to travel at all.
SHOULD I SUBMIT ASAP?
Submission order is not taken into consideration. Please don’t rush your submissions, take your time to finish off the application properly because you only have one chance to submit this time. Be very clear in your application.
WILL YOU HAVE CLOSED CAPTIONING?
Yes, we will have closed captioning for the masterclasses.
DO YOU TAKE THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY?
No, we do not. You own 100% of the IP.
WILL YOU GRANT ANY APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENSIONS?
No extensions will be given.
WILL YOU GRANT AN APPLICATION FEE WAIVER IF I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD IT?
Australians in Film will consider a fee waiver for the Untapped Application. Please email untapped@australiansinfilm.org with a description of your financial hardship.
Have more questions? Email us here.
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