Call out for the next generation of great YouTube talent as Screen Australia and Google help filmmakers Skip Ahead with a pool of $750,000

Screen Australia and Google are back with the third instalment of Skip Ahead, the program that helps new generations of online storytellers expand their vision and the scale of the content they create on YouTube. With past Skip Ahead alumnae including Aunty Donna (103,489 subscribers• 12,202,848 views), SketchShe (763,971 subscribers • 85,634,620 views), Mighty Car Mods (1,816,456 subscribers • 244,207,055 views) and Axis of Awesome (288,469 subscribers • 46,005,519 views), the program is also a step in building sustainable screen careers.

The program will provide project funding of up to $250,000 each for three successful Australian YouTube content creators who have existing YouTube channels with a substantial subscriber base.  The funding is for successful applicants to make a longer narrative-driven film of at least 30 minutes in length, which may be a one-off film, or could act as a pilot for a series or proof of concept for a feature, provided it can be viewed as a standalone piece of entertainment.

Skip Ahead encourages any genre of narrative film, but it should play to the applicants’ strengths and their audience’s expectation, and represent a clear step in terms of storytelling ambition and production values.

The project will be expected to premiere on the filmmakers’ YouTube Channel, but they will be able to explore other releases such as theatrical event screenings and top tier film festivals. As part of its support for Skip Ahead, Google and Screen Australia may also facilitate networking opportunities between creators and Australian production companies interested in skills exchange or creative collaboration.

Mike Cowap from Screen Australia said: “This is an extraordinary program for YouTubers to make the leap from short form to longer content. We are constantly blown away by what YouTubers achieve with very little resources. This is a great opportunity for our local content creators to get the extra support they may need to take their work to the next level. ”

“Skip Ahead fosters the next generation of Australian storytellers by providing funding, education and support for the production of new online content. The first two rounds of Skip Ahead winners created fantastic online series and we hope this third wave of funding for long-form content will help budding Australian filmmakers reach global audiences on YouTube.” said Kristen Bowen, Head of Top Creators — APAC, YouTube Australia.

Previous recipients of Skip Ahead funding are eligible to apply.

For further information about Skip Ahead, including assessment and eligibility criteria, please click here.