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 UNDERREPRESENTED?
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 threes. 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.
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, and you do not need any attachments. You do need to have a well-developed idea.
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
CAN I ATTACH A COMPLETE FEATURE SCRIPT, AND WILL IT MAKE MY APPLICATION STRONGER?
A script is not required; however, it may be considered along with your other materials. A strong script will strengthen your application, whereas an underdeveloped script won’t help your application.
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 minimum is a logline, but we strongly encourage you to submit supplement materials even though they are NOT required.
We want to see everything you have. The more specific you are, the better. Good additional materials can make your application stronger.
CAN WE SUBMIT MULTIPLE PROJECTS?
Yes, you can. But we strongly advise you to only submit your best project.
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.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROJECT SUMMARY, PROJECT STATEMENT AND PERSONAL STATEMENT? ARE THERE MAXIMUM WORD COUNTS FOR EACH?
Project Summary: A story synopsis including main characters and plot.
Project Statement: We want to hear about your professional and artistic goals. Have you faced obstacles in your artistic journey thus far? Please explain what you hope to gain from this program. Please tell us about the genesis of this project. Why is it important to you? What makes you uniquely qualified to tell this story?
• Project Summary (450 words)
• Project Statement (500 words)
• Personal Statement (500 words)
CAN DIRECTORS SHOW PREVIOUS WORK?
Directors are highly encouraged to include a link to prior work.
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 for the project you wish to develop during Untapped.
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. They will be scheduled to take place around 12pm Sydney time, 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 August through to December 2021. 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. Our Untapped Ambassadors will be involved in the selection as well.
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 THIS PROGRAM BE AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR?
AiF intends to continue this program on an annual basis, but that is not yet confirmed.
WILL YOU HAVE A SIMILAR PROGRAM FOR PRODUCERS?
This program is for writers/directors, but we are hoping to launch a producing program in the not-too-distant future.
If you have any other questions, please email info@australiansinfilm.org
