SBS partners on new film initiative

SBS is partnering with Screen Queensland, Madman Entertainment and The Post Lounge to launch R.I.D.E, an initiative to fund low-budget Queensland-based feature films.

The R.I.D.E Feature Film Fund is a three-year partnership to co-produce and co-finance a slate of feature films for projects with Respect, Inclusion, Diversity and Equality, with investment from Media Super. It will initially select up to four projects with up to two films created each year.

“This fund will provide the opportunity for up to six Queensland creative teams to develop and produce $1.5 million budget feature films that are visually stunning and emotionally resonating for theatrical release and national broadcast,” said Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira.

“Queensland is leveraging screen industry expertise and investment to even the playing field for underrepresented groups in the screen industry. We are empowering filmmakers from a wide range of backgrounds to tell stories that reflect the diversity of our community that will also resonate with global audiences.”

The R.I.D.E Feature Film Fund will also provide opportunities to tackle an imbalance in ethnicity, disability and gender for both content and screen industry creatives.

Projects will have theatrical distribution through Madman Entertainment and broadcast on SBS network.

Marshall Heald, Director, TV and Online Content SBS, said “SBS is committed to ensuring the diversity of content available for Australians reflects the rich diversity of our society. By providing opportunities for creatives from diverse backgrounds to share their stories, we are all able to see, explore and celebrate the differences that make Australia what it is today.

“SBS proudly champions a more inclusive screen sector by fostering talent from diverse and underrepresented communities, and we’re excited about the opportunities ahead through this partnership to share more uniquely Australian stories across our network, including our brand new SBS World Movies channel.”